YOGA

There is the story of six blind men who were asked to describe the elephant that we have all heard about. Each gives a description of what they behold by touch, smell and hearing. It all varies. But they are describing the same thing.

When I attended a course on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) we were shown a credit card and asked to described what we saw from where we sat. We each described the card from our seats. The description varied. But we were all describing the same card. 

Then in the same class we were told to draw an elephant. I drew mine quite easily while the others struggled. Finally after we presented our master pieces the facilitator told us it was his turn to draw now. He just placed a dot on the wide paper and told us that was an elephant - seen from space. 

Its all about perspective. We base our judgement on whatever little learning we have had, a bit of our experience, what we have heard, mostly hearsay as garnishing, and our individual judgement as toppings and present our dish or opinion to others. So do others to. Is this the truth then?

"We need to understand that the truth is one but the visions of it are many" says Jeffrey Armstrong in "Spiritual Teachings of the Avatars - Ancient Wisdom for a New World", Atria Books, 2010.

Just as Tavayogi describes the distinction between Vignanam or science as the study of matter that changes and Meignanam that is the study of the soul that never changes, Jeffrey states first there is the study of the matter as general science. Logic comes in to verify and accept the findings. Then matter is placed under a microscope and studied as atomic physics. This three stages or darshans mainly describes our relationship with matter.

"Yoga forms the bridge that links all these studies that help understand its true essence, re-establishing with the transcendental," he continues. "Yoga teaches us to understand the essence of everything not just as theory but also through direct connection. It is especially aimed at empowering individuals with the ability to form a link or connection of direct experience between themselves and anything with which they are in contact."

"Yoga is the stage in seeing where each student, starting with the physical and moving toward the invisible realms both here and beyond, is taught how to have a direct experience of the true essence of everything with which they come in contact."

"Beyond yoga the visions like rituals and mantras serve to inform us of higher beings and the transcendental reality that is not directly visible here, becoming direct links to the devas," he explains.

"Finally, the goal is reached where the transcendental reality is described."

Jeffrey says the purpose of yoga is to live in a way that leaves you clear and self-directing at the moment your body is up for recycling. For that to take place we have to live in the most cooperative way with nature.

Our soul has been caged for too long in the numerous bodies we took that it has forgotten that it can fly. It ends up taking yet another birth. Tavayogi once told me that the soul should not be caged. He was here to help us understand that it needed to be freed and free.