Joy In Any State

He who with proper regularity eats, relaxes, works, sleeps, and remains awake will find yoga the destroyer of suffering. Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 17

I'm not sure if it's just my personality type, or if this is common among other people, but I have a tendency to become absorbed by things that are new and exciting to me. I will work tirelessly at whatever this new fascination is until I ultimately burn myself out. This verse of the Bhagavad Gita points out that the beginner yogi should not try to remain in meditation (including meditation in asana) and thus ignore the performance of good outward actions. Don't forget - yoga isn't just about balancing your body on your mat, it's about balancing your life and thus settling the movements of the mind.

He who, in a balanced way, tries to be both human and divine will automatically find that he experiences equal joy whether he is in the state of human activity or in the state of deep meditation. -Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda


(This passage from the Gita has many layers of interpretation, this is the outermost, that most related to the outer kosha...which I promise we will get to soon!)

The Garden

A man planted a flower seed in his garden. He looked after it, steadfastly weeding and watering the soil around it. A robust plant appeared - but, for years, no flower. He thought of destroying the plant, but finally decided: "My business is to look after the plant; it is for God to produce the flower. I will keep myself busy in tending the plant and not in concentration on my flowerless labors." Years passed; he contented himself with the care of the plant and forgot all about the flower. One sunny morning, when a breeze was gently blowing, he smelled a strangely attractive fragrance. He ran to his plant and stood speechless in joy - there in front of him was the gorgeous flower! The aromatic beauty had always been present in the plant, a hidden potential awaiting the right moment of blossoming made possible by his labor of love.

The yogi should similarly keep himself busy nurturing his plant of self-realization; if he is not impatient, he will find (one day when God in His infinite wisdom deems it proper) the amaranthine flower of eternal freedom.

Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda in his commentary on Chapter VI, verses 20-23 of The Bhagavad Gita.