Last week I promised to post a little more with reference to Krishnamacharya (KM), and particularly his views on effort, and the importance thereof in order to ripe the true benefits of yoga. That you will find in a few lines, but first a little on this thing called yoga in general.
Here in Mysore the whole shala is packed every Sunday for what is called “Conference”. Some Sundays are great others are a little lame, but the format is usually the same. Sharath is there to talk a little and answer questions about various aspects of the practice. There are indeed many questions on bandhas, dristhis, vinyasas and how to do the various postures etc. but it always boil down to the simple question. Are we really practicing yoga are we busy just working out or jumping through hoops? Sharath has many interesting answer, but a standard one is urging people to focus on the Yamas and Niyamas before the receptivity of yoga can even begin to settle. For many of us who take the physical practice way to seriously it is a good reminder of where the root support of yoga really lies. Examining your navel or funky stretch will only give limited perspectives, yet if we can use it as a tool to explore our mind and behavior, our chances of integrating it into daily life becomes far greater. What is certain, theh proper practice of Yamas and Niyamas will take you much deeper into yoga than any leg behind or wicked back bend ever will.
Ok, now to the great legend Krishnamacharya. This is what he has to say with reference to effort if you want to taste the sweetness of things.
"For example, in education and agriculture the continuous practice, gradually in the near future, will show its results. Even in the practice of yoga, one has to first commence in a proper practice, be diligent over time and then finally within the near future you will receive your benefits like, physical strength, good health and superior joy. Moreover, the stability of mind, due to the predominance of Sattva guña, will be perpetually, without any break. What more do you want?
Let us suppose there is a mango tree and we have seen the abundance of fruits therein. You are permitted to pick up the fruit and eat it. If you are standing still without moving, and even if you move a little bit, but cannot reach the tree, and even if you stand under it but cannot climb, even though you climb it but fail to pick the fruit, even though you pick the fruit, but fail to taste it - could you ever actually claim to have an experience of the taste of mango? It is impossible! In every way, in all circumstances! It is eternally impossible!
In this case, climbing the mango tree and picking up the fruits are the activities we have to employ. No doubt we may enjoy the activities of climbing and the picking of the fruits, but the bliss you will experience from tasting the mango is supreme. I need not emphasize this any further. What can I say to with reference to those people that are not climbing the tree and do not aim at picking the fruits and do not even approach the tree? Even though while approaching the tree, they suddenly object and say: “Ah I don’t really like mangoes”, although they have never tasted it.
Is it possible to gain anything without any effort? Thus in the case of yoga, without faith prior to taking up a practice of yoga, you will hardly receive any benefit at all.
Who is unaware of the fact that one has to work consciously in a proper way, in order to attain the appropriate results? You will not get that particular benefit if you are not properly commitment while engaging in the activities, lacking a proper concentration of mind and bereft of regularity in following the prescribed time and place, you will not get any benefit from the practice.
One has to climb the mountain step by step, and then gradually one may reach the peak of the mountain and enjoy the view.[1] In the same manner, one has to follow the sequences given in the yoga shastras. Each particular step, one by one, yama, niyama, asana, pranayam, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and Samadhi, to have the vision of the ananta ånanda (the eternal bliss)."
Ok, to sum it up, practice, practice, practice is the golden key that may unlock the door for us all. But remain mindful of what you practice and remember there is a whole lot more to yoga than what is just encountered and found on a mat?
[1] Here KM is making a reference to Saptigiri hill in Andra Pradesh, where there is a statue of Lord Venkateshware (the personal deities of Vaishnavaits).