It Emerges and Evolves

Sometimes objections are raised when Yoga and Buddhism

are talked of as being similar or the same.

One reason for these objections may be because some do

not fully understand or know the philosophy on which

Yoga is built around and tend to think of it as being

a practice that consists only or mainly of physical

postures and techniques.

In reality, both Yoga and Buddhism are built on the

same philosophy, that being that there is suffering.

In addition, both state that that suffering is caused

by mental defilements, both call our attention to the hindrances that block progress in practicing, both advise us

 to follow a certain set of morals and ethics in order to weaken, minimize and eradicate suffering, and both have

 as their major and central practice, meditation.

The postures that many may mistakenly think of Yoga as

only being are designed to make us more open to the

teachings of Yoga, who and how we are already, prepare

us for meditation practice and maintain the body and

mind in a high state of balance and health.

The practice of Yoga results in the emergence of a new

state of being.

This state is known as the sattvic state. The sattvic

state is made up of qualities such as harmony, purity,

and balance.

It is in our old states, made up of characteristics

such as dullness, passion, sluggishness, action and

activity that we manifest tendencies of attachment,

aversion, greed, anger, resentment and confusion in

our thinking, in our words and in our actions and

activities.

As this sattvic state emerges, because it has always

been part of who and how we are, we change and become

more focused, tranquil, equanimious, and mindful.

These states that we evolve to in the practice of Yoga

and in the sattvic state are once again,

interestingly, similar to what we evolve into in the

practice of Buddhism, as we access and cultivate the

seven factors of enlightenment.

This new state, as we make it part of who we are and

maintain and further develop it continues to evolve

and we experience this evolvement in our daily lives

and through our daily practice.

As it strengthens, the path to enlightenment is made

stronger and clearer.

Each day of practice and each opportunity in life is a

chance to continue to cultivate its evolvement in a

positive way.

Being polite to others, saying please and thank you, understanding and being considerate and compassionate

 to another’s thoughts, feelings and situation are all opportunities to cultivate it, just as posture and meditation

 practice are.

It is the experiencing of the emergence and evolvement

of this sattvic state that can provide the initial

impetus for practicing Yoga and keep one on the path,

looking forward to and understanding the importance

and joy of each day’s practice and the most skillful

and wholesome way to act as individuals and to others.

©2004 John C. Kimbrough

(John lives and teaches in Bangkok, Thailand. He can

be reached at johnckimbrough@yahoo.com)