Is Yoga a Means to Spiritual Realization? | Mark Whitwell

New York City NY

11 February, 2021

2:02 AM

Description

Mark Whitwell | Heart of YogaIn our Yoga groups around the world the conversation often turns to the question of whether Yoga is a means to some kind of spiritual realization. By and large, our conclusion is that it is not. Why? Because we are already realized! The life that is our body, heartbeat, breath and Sex is an extreme intelligence, function and beauty that is beyond comprehension. And if there is such a thing as an unseen Source of this intelligence (God) then it cannot be separate from its visible expression that is you and me. Nurturing Source has realized you and all ordinary conditions. So there is simply no need to realize anything…the Source and the Seen are One. Our Yoga asana is a non-dual practice of direct participation in Nurturing Source. An asana practice is participation in the union of all opposites: above/below, left/right, front/back, inner/outer, inhalation/exhalation, spirit/form. All these opposites contain the male/female equation of life which is already in perfect union. By participating in these opposites the source of opposites is felt which is the hridaya heart: the first cell of life that appeared when you appeared when source became seen. As you move and breath in these beautiful rhythmic patterns, you will naturally feel the fundamental power of life that supports you and is you. Therefore, Yoga is not a spiritual project to try and get somewhere as if you are not Somewhere. There can be no approach to Source: no progressive process, no looking, no seeking, no possession, Only Love existing as all ordinary conditions. This is sahaj samadhi: the natural union we are all in. Each person is a perfect unique bloom of Life unfolding; a depth of Source unfolding in all directions. Yoga is simply to be profoundly intimate with Life in all aspects. Because they are One, intimacy with the Seen is intimacy with Source. In the language of my teacher Krishnamacharya, because everything is God surrender to anything is surrender to God. Mark Whitwell | Heart of Yoga Many find this to be a deeply relieving consideration. Everyone is exhausted within by the pressure to try and realize something spiritual or become someone amazing. Civilization has been built upon religious doctrine and it is an uninspected axiom of culture that there is more Life in cultural proposals and language (“God’s word”) than there is in our own beautiful bodies and relationships. We have been convinced that we are less than some big idea written in sacred text and have to try and ‘get’ it. Read the full article here: Mark Whitwell About: Mark Whitwell has taught yoga for over three decades across the globe, and is the founder of the Heart of Yoga foundation, and the Heart of Yoga Peace Project. Mark Whitwell is interested in developing an authentic yoga practice for the individual, based on the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) and his son TKV Desikachar (1938-2016), with whom he enjoyed a relationship for more than twenty years. Mark Whitwell is the author of four books: ‘Yoga of Heart,’ ‘The Promise,’ ‘The Hridayasutra,’ and, ‘God and Sex: now we get both.’ He also edited and contributed to his TKV Desikachar’s classic yoga text, ‘The Heart of Yoga.’ Mark Whitwell is a father of three and a grandfather. He now resides between New Zealand and Fiji and continues to write, teach, and speak.