You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher, but your own soul.
-Swami Vivekananda
John and I saw this beautiful ship last week, the Nao Trinidad, a Spanish-built replica of a ship that would have sailed in the 16th century, docked at the Georgetown Landing Marina in Georgetown, SC. Its name comes from one used by the Magellan-Elcano expedition that sailed around the world between 1519 and 1522. Considered the greatest maritime feat in history, the expedition circumnavigated the globe for the first time, opening new routes, and connecting continents and oceans.
Human beings have historically been explorers and travelers of the outer world. The practice of Yoga invites us to explore our inner world.
The Bhagavad Gita says, “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” This captivating expedition to the Self invites us to explore the profound transformations that Yoga brings, both on and off the mat.
When we practice yoga, we embark on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Through the integration of breath, movement, and mindfulness, we forge a deep connection between body, mind, and spirit. We discover that we feel better after a yoga practice – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. From enhancing flexibility and strength to refining posture and balance, the physical benefits of Yoga are undeniable. Incorporating Yoga into our daily lives improves sleep quality, boosts the immune system, and enhances energy levels. The practice of yoga also cultivates mental clarity by increasing focus, concentration, and productivity, and instills resilience and adaptability, enabling us to navigate challenges with grace. Practicing Yoga reduces stress, lowers anxiety, and nurtures emotional well-being, fostering harmony within.
The heart of yoga practice is meditation, a journey from external activity to inner stillness. Meditation provides an opportunity for us to Be. It reminds us that, at our core, we are human beings, not human doings.
Meditation teaches us to quiet mind chatter so that we can sit in the wisdom of our perfection that is often buried by layers of anxiety, fear, stress, fatigue, doubts, and confusion. The spiritual awakening that occurs in meditation allows us to reconnect to our essence and we begin to see our interconnectedness to all, establishing an opening to higher states of consciousness and our connection to the Divine.
Tantric yoga teachings remind us that our Soul is already whole. We are born complete. No accomplishment in this life will make our souls better. The Self is already enough. There is nothing else we need to do to make us whole. Just like explorers set out to learn more about this vast outer landscape, we must embark on an inner journey and remember who we are through exploration, growth, experience, expression, and expansion. Through self-discovery, we are reminded that joy, happiness, love, compassion, patience, peace, and forgiveness are our birthright and to avoid entanglements with judgment, criticism, and self-doubt as well as people who live in fear and hate. It is here that we find Sukha – sweetness, quiet joy, and comfort that rests within us.
When we access the innate wisdom of our body and the power of our mind, we see clearly through the fog and mist of our vrttis, or mind chatter, as the sage Patanjali writes in Sutra 1.2, and begin to witness our true Self and experience life as a beautiful gift. Once we remember who we are, our next step is to be who we are.
Just as explorers of the past used ships to explore and transform, we use Yoga as a catalyst for exploration and transformation of our inner world. Let Yoga be your rudder, guiding you towards optimal well-being, empowering you to live a life of vibrancy, love, and light, and guiding you to discover and live the best version of yourself.
Love & light
Jeanne & John