Who are we becoming? This, a worthwhile question; otherwise it is like driving our car without any thought as to a destination - perhaps we don't even know the roads! Yoga, in the context of things such as: To end Suffering, to Gain Equanimity, to Control Our Attention, to Free Ourselves from False Thinking, to Be Broadminded and Altruistic.
Pattabhi Jois was very keen on making sure we knew the rarity & the value of a human birth. He repeatedly admonished us not to waste our precious opportunity with vanity, but to instead try to understand our creator and our relationship with Him. The below adaptation provides four more advantages that must be present for one to access the divine potential of being human which is the larger meaning & aspiration of Yoga – or the Dharma as they say in Buddhism.
THE FIVE BLESSINGS SUPPORTIVE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Being Human
Being in a Central Place
Possessing all of Our Faculties
Free of Conflicting Lifestyles
Faith in Yoga
Without a human life, it would not be possible to study, practice nor understand Yoga. So being human is of primary importance.
If we live in a remote place where Yoga is unheard of, we would never have even come across it. But the region we live in is central in the sense that the teachings of Yoga exist here.
Not having all of our sense faculties is a hindrance to the practice, study & comprehension of Yoga. If we are free of such disabilities, then truly, we are blessed.
If we have conflicting lifestyles, we will be swayed by negative actions and at variance with the depth of Yoga. Since we have the wish to cultivate positiveness & to increase our humanity, we have the blessing of having good intentions.
If we have no faith in Yoga, we would never even practice or study it, or we will relate to yoga only as an activity providing us with some entertainment and escape from the drudgery of our lives. Having the inclination to turn our minds to Yoga – as we are doing now – is the blessing of faith.
To have all five of these blessings is extremely rare; it is extremely precious. We should be overwhelmed with gratitude, motivated to take full advantage of it while we still have time remaining in this brief life we have miraculously been given.
A person who lacks any of the five sense faculties, who is unable to see spiritual images that inspire devotion, or unable to read or to hear spiritual teachings for study and contemplation, will have a limited capacity to practice, study and grow spiritually.
“Conflicting lifestyle” means that we feel inclined towards actions that cause dramas, conflicts and obstacles in our life and that consequently require much of our time, attention and resources. Thus our minds are not able to focus on directing our lives in a productive manner. Be vigilant about every thought, word & act – whether it is contrary or harmonious to our desired life goals. It is a great blessing to be raised with lifestyles that promote Yogic progress.
If we have limited or no faith in Yogic teachings. Instead we place our faith in money, power, fame, etc., then, nothing can protect us from suffering in life. But if we develop faith based in logical examination and faith based on the experience from practice, then we are undoubtedly on the trajectory of spiritual prosperity. This is the greatest of the five supportive blessings.
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