RETREATING INTO THE SELF WITH YOGA

Retreat is not always a sign of defeat. In the case of Yoga it is a matter of strength. It is re-treating--treating again, or being kind to the body and the mind. In our everyday life, with its ceaseless demands, we use up a great deal of physical, emotional and mental energy.

Often we do not allow for adequate time to replenish our resources, which then wears down the body and mind like an axle that has not been properly greased. Therefore it is important to periodically set aside special periods of at least two days when we drop our usual activities and concerns and simply pause. This helps to relax, heal and rejuvenate our body and mind. It also provides the necessary inner stillness for our deeper, spiritual nature to shine forth.

When we taste even a little bit of our natural inner ease and happiness, we wonder how we could have become so caught up in the daily chores as to forget who we truly are. Stress is not only bad for the body and mind, but it also causes us to bury our true nature beneath the debris of tasks, deadlines and worries.