Know Yoga, Know Peace

You are the sky. Everything else - it's just the weather.
- Pema Chödrön

A lot has been written about the many benefits of yoga, from the body to the mind.  However, we sometimes miss the true goal of yoga, which is its ultimate benefit. 

Certainly, a flexible, strong, and balanced body is a perk in itself.  This year has really opened our eyes to the preciousness of a full, clear, deep breath.  And I think we can all get on board with the idea of calming our minds.

You may even be aware of the benefit others get from your yoga practice.  But to know the ultimate benefit of yoga, we need to understand the translation of the word “Yoga,” which means to yoke or unite.

Though we practice to unite our body, breath, and mind in our daily sadhana (yoga practice), this can still be considered somewhat superficial.  The unity we are developing is with our true self, which is beyond body, breath, or mind. 

In coming into union with our true self, we are able to clearly see that same pure self in all others.  This teaches us to treat all things - ourselves and our surroundings - with the sacredness they deserve.  Isn't that a beautiful way to live?

It’s true that many of us are attracted to yoga based on superficial benefits and get hooked when we finally understand what it’s really all about.  In fact, we can't come into union with our true self when we are constantly disturbed by conditions of the body, breath, or mind.  So these are necessary phases to pass through to get to that ultimate understanding, which I will readily admit is not yet within my own grasp.

Although the superficial benefits that come are also wonderful and to be celebrated, let’s not forget the ultimate benefit of yoga.  The richest benefit of yoga is peace.  Peace with ourselves, peace with other people, peace with the past, the present, and the future, peace with our place within the universe.

If you’re looking for an easy way to describe the totality of Yoga’s benefits (to your friend, to your child's school, to your boss), here’s a nifty guide to Yoga’s benefits.