Knowing Yoga Through it’s Absence

The other day I spoke about the Untamed Mind and discussed how deep understanding is different to intellectual understanding. I spoke about knowledge only being true knowledge, when you know something from deep within after a flash of understanding. That knowledge gained for myself has taken a few years, but certainly will help keep me on my journey, after all;

“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” (Ursula K. LeGuin)

I think it was David Swenson (Ashtanga yogi) who said that he knows yoga more by it’s absence, today I had a deep understanding of this, although intellectually I could see how this may be true, it wasn’t until this morning that I understood it fully for myself. This understanding probably came about after a few weeks of not practicing over Christmas, then 5 days back into my personal practice, suddenly I understand it for myself.

So from my perspective the important in life are things that can be understood at the deep level, the knowing without doubt, not because I have a big ego, but knowledge beyond ego that anyone can prove for themselves, if they take the time with genuine intention to tread the path.

Namaste

Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers