In the quest to practice the fullest expression of yoga, the student is seeking to join the physical and the spiritual aspects of one’s being to obtain enlightenment. There are multiple paths and they all ultimately lead to the same place, but it is important to understand the process.
It is not a “learning” process; you cannot study enlightenment for a prescribed amount of time and graduate with a Ph.D. in enlightenment if you make the grade. You are not seeking out the “enlightened one” who will bless you with the required knowledge if you are worthy. You cannot practice enlightenment until one day you get it right in the sense that it is a learned process. It has nothing to do with any process, thought system or means of communication familiar to and created by this world.
It is the recognition and remembering of just the opposite. You are in this world, but not of it. Many “spiritual” leaders seek enlightenment for years, but never find it because they are looking within the confines of a world created by the ego! They are looking within the physical creation of something that does not recognize our divinity. It is little wonder they never truly find enlightenment. You are who you are already. There is nothing that needs to change or be learned. You are a divine child of Source right now – always have been, always will be.
The only thing necessary to realize this absolute truth and become “enlightened” is a change in perspective; a change in your point of view. You are who you are, you just don’t realize it! In some ways, I liken this realization to an experience in yoga.
I was in a yoga class sitting on the floor in a certain bound position and the teacher said to stand up. I immediately thought that was impossible! No way could I ever do that and the first few times my class did this pose I never even tried. I stayed on the floor in my pose wondering how in the world those around me could attain such a high level of control over their bodies that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.
Then one day in class when we went into that same pose and the teacher said to stand up, I did it without thinking. I had stepped outside of my conscious mind, my ego, to “think” through each pose and was only reacting to the instruction of the teacher. Once my ego was out of the way and not telling me what I couldn’t do, I found out not only could I do it, but it was easy!
Enlightenment is the same way. Quiet your conscious mind, your ego. Listen for the quiet voice inside that is your true self and stand up. Change your perspective and realize who you already are, a Divine Child of the Universe – now and forever more.
Namaste.
Blair is the co-owner of Yoga Daily in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He is a certified yoga instructor, recovering lawyer, and a spiritual student. The content of this blog is what Blair considers to be universal truths that span all dogma and religion and it is offered to you in Love and Light. Check out The Daily Yogi for additional blog entries. You can contact Blair at blair@yogadailymountpleasant.com. Yoga is but one path to the knowing that we are all one. Please take what resonates with you and leave the rest without judgment or offense.