possible way, symmetrically, precisely, and in stimulating, coherent se
quences. I was, when occasion demanded, a performer and an artist.
This was my service to the art of yoga. But in my own personal prac
tice I did not have this type of idea. I was concerned only to explore,
to learn, to challenge, and to transform inwardly. Above all to pene
trate. Yoga is an interior penetration leading to integration of being,
senses, breath, mind, intelligence, consciousness, and Self. It is defi
nitely an inward journey, evolution through involution, toward the
Soul, which in its turn desires to emerge and embrace you in its glory.
You need a good teacher as guide so you will not hurt your body,
overstretch, wrench, or nip the inner fibers, tendons, ligaments, mind,
and emotions. This is yoga inadequately or wrongly practiced. I know;
I have done it. But when yoga is only outward facing, exhibitative, and
self-gratifying, it is not yoga at all. Such an attitude will deface and de
form even the character you started out with. In class when pride rises
or its complement, insecurity, as you look around at others, recognize
it for what it is and send it on its way.
It is certain that there is much pleasure and satisfaction to be
gleaned from life. Patanjali said the correct fulfillment of pleasure is an
essential component not only of life but of liberation. But Patanjali also
warned that wrong interaction with nature (where the afflictions or
klesa still rule us) can bring about our confusion and self-destruction.
The pursuit of pleasure through appearances, which I connect here to
superficiality of intent, is quite simply the wrong way to go about
things. To pursue pleasure is to pursue pain in equal measure. When
appearance is more important to us than content, we can be sure we
have taken the wrong turning.
The achievements of intelligence therefore also have their pitfalls,
even more difficult to identify than the lure of the senses. We are only
too ready to admit, "Oh, I can never resist chocolate." But how many
of us would admit that we would willingly stab any collea�ue in the ha�.:k
in order to �ain a promotion? We shy away from such sdf- knowll·dJ.:l'
W I S I I I I M I II I· I N I I· I I I' I' 'I I I A I II I I I I Y I I' 1/ N .'1 N .'I I