The mind, or the ego, or whatever you want to call this thing that thinks, is your slave.
If not kept in check it becomes a tyrant.
The voice in the head reminding you how terrible life is, how difficult it all is, and how bad it will all be. That one that wakes you up at three am to remind you that life sucks. Or is that just me? :)
So there are tranquilisers; some people apparently need these things. In fact, according to some literature I've read in the past, up to a third of the population of the so called civilised world are on some form of long-term medication. Even if it's half of the number it's still too many.
Numbing out all feelings is not healthy. And being on an emotional roller coaster isn't much fun either.
Yoga practices will keep you alive, will keep you engaged in feeling alive. Sometimes intensely so. When the roller coaster ride carries you away, you can go with it, perhaps even enjoy it. Alternatively you can stop and listen to what's going on inside your head. The trouble with this second option, in my experience, is it's too hard to sit still once the emotions are raging. So in this case one should or could do some intense Asana practice.
I don't really want to be a tranquil person all the time. Sometimes it's just not appropriate to say noting and bear all with a poker face. Sometimes I still 'need' to tell someone how I feel about what they are doing and how they appear to be affecting me.
There is thinking, and there is having thoughts that you are aware of.
There is feeling, and there is having feelings that swamp you.
Then there is the breathing connection to self. Becoming conscious through choice about who you are now and what you want to do about it.
If not kept in check it becomes a tyrant.
The voice in the head reminding you how terrible life is, how difficult it all is, and how bad it will all be. That one that wakes you up at three am to remind you that life sucks. Or is that just me? :)
So there are tranquilisers; some people apparently need these things. In fact, according to some literature I've read in the past, up to a third of the population of the so called civilised world are on some form of long-term medication. Even if it's half of the number it's still too many.
Numbing out all feelings is not healthy. And being on an emotional roller coaster isn't much fun either.
Yoga practices will keep you alive, will keep you engaged in feeling alive. Sometimes intensely so. When the roller coaster ride carries you away, you can go with it, perhaps even enjoy it. Alternatively you can stop and listen to what's going on inside your head. The trouble with this second option, in my experience, is it's too hard to sit still once the emotions are raging. So in this case one should or could do some intense Asana practice.
I don't really want to be a tranquil person all the time. Sometimes it's just not appropriate to say noting and bear all with a poker face. Sometimes I still 'need' to tell someone how I feel about what they are doing and how they appear to be affecting me.
There is thinking, and there is having thoughts that you are aware of.
There is feeling, and there is having feelings that swamp you.
Then there is the breathing connection to self. Becoming conscious through choice about who you are now and what you want to do about it.
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