Why Yogi’s Don’t Meditate

I’ve written here periodically about the key value of meditation in any spiritual journey. Without a systematic way to connect to our source within, our journey can be superficial and more conceptual than spiritual. While we might like to think of ourselves as “spiritual” because we do such and such practice or attend this church or that satsang, unless we’re actually connecting to spirit, it’s all just an idea. We’re playing another role, building our identity rather than our spirit.

In this article a friend recently sent me, the author discusses the curious development in the West of Yogic practitioners and teachers who don’t actually practice Yoga. At least not in the sense Patanjali described. Yoga has become synonymous with stretching exercises, just one aspect of Yoga’s 8 limbs. While there is certainly benefit to asanas, will they alone bring you home?
Davidya

I am That

Please excuse the long lag. The studies continue. But i thought you might enjoy this little story. I have no idea of it’s source or validity. But it amuses.

Long ago in India a mighty Monarch was to be honoured in the great banquet hall. The Ministers were seated on the right, the provincial Kings on the left. The Noblemen, Generals and other titled dignitaries were assembled in all their ceremonial robes according to rank. All was in readiness–only the central seat was vacant–everyone waited for the Monarch’s entrance..

At that time the door opened and a wandering ascetic came in off the street. He was dark and dusty. His hair was long and matted and his clothes were in tatters. But his eyes were bright and he walked up the red carpet with such an air of authority that no-one dared challenge him. Who was he after all?

The stranger walked right up to the Monarch’s vacant seat and sat down!

By this time the Chief Minister came to his senses and leaned over to inquire…
“Sir, I do not recognize you–are you a noble-man?”
“No,” said the ascetic, “I am more than that.”
“Are you perhaps a King from the out-lying districts?”
“No, I am more than that.”
“Are you the Monarch himself?”
“No, I am more than that.”
The Chief Minister was getting annoyed. “Do you think you are Almighty God!?”
“No, I am more than that.”
The Chief Minister was red in the face. “What! Nothing is greater than God!”
“Yes,” said the ascetic, “I am that nothing.”

[NOTE: see my comment on Nothing vs Fullness below]