Today is international yoga day. What better way to celebrate it than with the ASMA family. Today I attended an amazing knowledge session hosted by Our sensei. We talked about the deeper meaning of yoga. Its not jut exercise for the body and mind but a lifestyle of discipline and Dharma. What does Dharma mean? It means 'The way of righteousness'.
Lets talk a little bit about it, shall we?
I named this post 'The iceberg of spiritual understanding' as most of us just see a small part of yoga, which is exercise for the body. It has much more to it. Pranayama, meditation, asanas, discipline, kindness, physical health and what not. I learned how 'Pranayama' Is to do with 'Prana' the life force, an energy that flows through all living beings. Kind of like 'The force' talked about in Star Wars. I learned that the reason we get irritated and feel fatigue is because of the lack of prana energy. We feel peaceful when we do yoga, pranayama and meditation because it increases out prana energy. Oxygen is called 'Prana vaayu' in sanskrit, Its the air which provides us with prana energy for survival. I kept thinking spirituality is related to nothing but meditation and god. Little did I know that this concept is deeper than I could ever imagine. The knowledge given In our Vedas had never inspired me so much, Why should you get up early, good things to eat according to the season and time of day, Why should you be closer to nature. The so called 'Outdated ways' are much more healthier than the recent trends.
Another impacting thing I learned was the value of simplicity. Socrates once said, If we try to attain anything more than simple clothes, healthy food and shelter, we will find nothing but war. Personally, I feel that yoga is the true form of happiness. Without peace, there can be no happiness. No matter what I am going through, practicing some basic pranayama would always calm me down, and if I am calm, I can be happy.
Yoga for me is happiness, I used to believe I could be happier in a five star hotel. But I found true happiness in a simple aashram, I thought happiness was somewhere in the future when I finish my studies and earned good money, but it was in that moment when I closed my eyes and thought of nothing but the present. They say the world is full of fake people, The smiles I saw today and in every event of ASMA, were of the purest form. The most genuine people and the best of friendships. Being in such an atmosphere is also a spiritual experience for me. In these past few weeks, I experienced satisfaction and content, when I was at the camp, the knowledge session I attended today, I could smile without an effort, It would come automatically when I am around my friends and seniors in ASMA.
For me, Yoga and spirituality is effortless happiness and peace. Even after thinking so much about the concept, I don't think I know any more than a small part. The ocean is wide and I have only tasted a drop. There is much more to learn, much more to take in.
Thank you!
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