True for You!

 

We are bombarded with messages that tell us what to eat, what to wear, how to exercise, and what products to use to fix problems we weren’t even aware we had. Further, we are presented with an over-abundance of “self-help” materials all promising us a way to be happier, more spiritual, more in control of our lives. In a few years time, all the “expert” opinions change and we are left confused or disbelieving of any advice.

 

In fairness to those who try to help others through research, it is a difficult task to come up with a one-size-fits-all solution; after all there are at least as many perspectives as there are people, animals, plants and minerals on the planet. There is also Time which has it’s own influence – what may be right now may not be right in the evening or next week or influences from the past or even past lives may have an effect on the present situation. Through all of these varied, often conflicting angles, how are we to discover what is true for us?

 

In some ways, we can just relax - by their very definition; things that are True will continue to work on us regardless of our acceptance of their existence and especially when we give resistance. But, relying on this method is a bit haphazard and unnecessarily painful when we have the timeless assistance of the Yogic path.

 

The difference between Classical Hatha Yoga and other approaches to living is that it considers multiple facets of human existence - there is not one part of our experience that is detached from another - the mental from the physical, the spiritual from the logical, and the sexual from the spiritual, the breath from the emotion. It is all addressed. Even aspects of existence that we may not normally perceive are included. It is this spirit of inclusiveness which most attracts me to Yoga while exclusivity in any form sets off my internal alarm system. If we think of this energetically, acceptance or at least acknowledgment feels open and clear while denial feels restrictive. 

 

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna lays out several paths as being the way to Yoga or Union with the Divine. Among them are Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Raja Yoga. In each exposition, Krishna emphasizes that what he is explaining at the moment is the "best path." By doing this, Krishna leads us to understand that each path is whole and correct and puts the onus on the individual to discover what path is right for their temperament. 

 

While the Jnana Yoga path emphasizes the use of neti, neti (not this, not that) to identify the illusory quality behind the senses, the Bhagavad-Gita as a whole seems to say "yes, this and certainly that too!" In practicing some form of Yoga to answer the big questions about Truth, we are given an unexpected and precious gift - the ability to recognize that sense of clarity that happens with Yoga in other, more prosaic situations. 

 

I am sure you have all experienced that feeling of clarity, but in case you want to confirm that that is what that is, here are a few good exercises:

 

  1. Stand in front of a large collection of spiritual books at home or in a bookstore.  Notice the energy, and then walk away from the books. Walk back again - noticing the shift in energy. 
  2. Take one book which you identify with as being “true for you” philosophically. Hold it in your hand and notice how your hand/arm feels. Is there a tingling as if energy is moving up your arm? Notice if that clear feeling moves towards your heart, throat, forehead or crown chakra.
  3. To really confirm what you are feeling ask a friend to help. Take the same book in your left hand and hold it to your heart. Raise your right arm and have your friend put a firm, quick downward pressure on your arm.  If your arm holds steady under pressure, this can serve as a baseline*.
  4. To feel an unhelpful energy for the purpose of recognition, place a candy-bar or soda next to your heart. Have your friend put a downward pressure on your extended opposite arm. Notice the difference in strength holding the spiritual book versus the unhealthy snack.

 

The next time you are debating between bottles of vitamin or other supplements, try the technique in step 2 or 3 to find the one that is true for you!

 

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*For a full explanation of this technique and variants that come into play, read Power Vs Force by David R. Hawkins, M.D. PhD., Veritas Publishing, 2001.