All models for spiritual life or personal growth seduce us into the
belief that we are becoming, rather than just being. Being is not static,
but like the heating water we just mentioned, it is a moment in pre
sent time, in a certain state or condition, and from which, if we con
tinue to add the flame of zealous practice, like a Bunsen burner under
a retort, suddenly another state will spontaneously emerge, as if by
magical transformation. We perceive only the sequence of these trans
formations in time, which is why we are caught in the illusion of be
coming, instead of just being, and then being again, and being again,
separately but transformatively, ad infinitum, like the stills of an old
silent film, until the story reaches its conclusion and, hopefully, its
happy ending.
This idea of a ladder to be climbed, even if it is in some ways
flawed and certainly leads to invidious comparisons between practi
tioners or the establishment of a hierarchy of excellence, is pretty uni
versal. Yoga avoids this because all petals are practiced simultaneously
and form a composite whole.
I believe in the perfection of the yogic system as a vehicle to en
lightenment. I also support the Indian cricket team. Life puts us in one
place and time, and we must live it to the best of our abilities from that
point. But when people evoke to me the perennial wisdom of the mys
terious orient as if all other men throughout history had been mis
guided and unevolved, I become impatient. The mind of man is one.
The mechanics of consciousness are the same everywhere. A good
person, living ethically with his eyes on the stars and his or her feet set
on the path of duty is a good person anywhere. A problem is a problem
anywhere. To the extent that yoga offers both understanding and a
blueprint for action, it offers them everywhere, to all people, at all
times. Yoga cannot be preached about, or proselytized. It can only be
adopted, and its success in being adopted around the world is proof
not of cunning salesmanship but of practical efficacy and high aspira
tions, which are the province of all humankind.
II K S I Y 1·. N \; A I\