This article got me thinking…… does my daily practice take me beyond the mere physical world? Am I really preparing my mind and soul for the next world (if there is one, and I believe there is) ?
Check it out… it’s thought provoking.
More Americans are adapting Eastern diets and learning about the practices of yoga and meditation.There are probably an equivalent number of yoga studios in New York City as there are Starbucks cafes.
The benefits of these practices are now also being touted by many medical practitioners and are being frequently prescribed to patients to manage stress.
When it comes to adopting yoga and meditation, some aspects of the practices have been lost in translation.
Yoga in the western hemisphere is synonymous with “asanas” or physical postures.
While physical fitness is a by-product of doing yoga, it is merely the first step.
The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of “yoke” or “the act of yoking or harnessing.”
Yoga refers to traditional physical, mental and spiritual disciplines, originating in ancient India, whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.
Sage Patanjali, the founding father of yoga, is the compiler of Yoga Sutras, an important collection of aphorisms on yoga practice.
Another misconception is that of meditation, which is often confused with a practice involving concentration. In fact it is quite the opposite. read the rest of this article here