In the Bible, Paul is credited with the verse, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” From the yogic perspective, mature faith is helpful in spiritual development, but we don’t want this as our terminal point. We desire to develop the vision to see what was previously unseen.
If faith is to be more than wishful thinking or a security blanket, it is essential that intuition be developed. Intuition is the ability to know directly without processing information. It is a matter of feeling more than thinking. Similar to the way one feels the sun when it is behind clouds, intuition has the potential to provide us with a direct experience of what seems to be hidden. Modern people have developed their intellects to a high degree but our intuitive wisdom is often lacking because this faculty has never been trained.
Intuition, like the intellect, or any skill set, can be developed with practice. It is a function of quieting activity of the mind so consciousness can arise without agitation. The active mind is like a pond which has ripples, preventing the ability to perceive what lies in the deeper water. This is not to disparage the intellect, which plays a vital role, but it is necessary to develop the intuition if we wish to live a fuller and more profound life.
Yoga literature is replete with references to “the three worlds.” Termed lokas, or time-space continuums, these are different planes of reality. It can be helpful to understand the nature of lokas as being a bit similar to Earthly environments, as the way Brazil, Alaska, and France are vastly different environments. They each have their own unique populations, ecosystems, customs, attire, and language.
The three worlds are often described as being the realms of divinity, subtle forces, and the material plane. They are somewhat exclusive, in the same way as the countries mentioned above, but they also are interwoven; they can penetrate and influence one another. Here is a paradigm which I hope will give you a sense of how the three worlds manifest in our experience in consciousness as human beings: the world as a prison, as a classroom, as a dancehall.
The world as a prison appears when we experience life as a burden. It seems there are external oppressive forces at work requiring us to live in a manner not of our choosing. Work, relationships, sickness and death seem beyond our ability to influence, requiring of us labors which we do not enjoy. We feel hampered by fear, confusion, guilt, ignorance in others and ourselves, and a lack of knowledge as to how to resolve the conflicts the befall us.
Yoga acknowledges this reality, but reminds us it is a relative truth based on our own consciousness. From this perspective, yoga provides teachings and practices to cultivate intuition for the purpose of moksha, or liberation. When we find ourselves in prison — whether behind actual bars or in our minds — yoga encourages us to take responsibility for the choices we have made that have resulted in the situation, then choose a different way of thinking and living so we may become free. We could say the duty of a prisoner is to abide by the rules of confinement in order to be released from jail.
In terms of our discussion regarding the interpenetration of the lokas, the same circumstances that seem a prison can change when we shift consciousness and view life as a series of lessons. Then we abide in the classroom of wisdom. Here, externals may remain the same, but they are viewed in a radically different way. We take all of our responsibilities, burdens and hassles, and release them. Then we pick them back up as opportunities. Lessons are neither good nor bad; they are chances to learn, heal, and grow.
In this realm, yoga provides systems of cultivating wisdom. Learn to discern between energy streams which lead to suffering and those which lead to peace and happiness. This type of discrimination is, again, a function of the intuition. It can be developed with practice, through the application of recognizing the cause and effect dynamic of what happens when we engage in certain acts and attitudes, and where they lead. This ability is inherent in everyone. Be honest and attentive to what happens in your life when you are contracted, angry, or petty. Conversely, notice how life manifests when you are expansive, forgiving, and generous.
This is not a moral standard; it is simply a guideline to implementing an effective strategy to birth a life in which you feel you are fulfilling your potential. As wisdom develops, there is an enhanced appreciation for how one road leads to pain and another to happiness. The choice of which path to follow become increasingly clear and simple. As you choose well, you will not become better than others, nor saintly in the Western sense. You will simply become healthier, happier, and freer.
In the realm of divinity, the dancehall, life is a graceful exchange of love, support, cooperation, and play. It’s difficult to talk about the plane of being because it is beyond the mind, beyond language. Well, this is not completely true; it is accurate only when we reference human languages. Sanskrit, or Devanagari, “the language of the devas (divine beings)” is the means of communication here.
When in England we need speak English if we wish to converse, when in France, French, etc. If we wish to have a conversation with the Devas in the realm of divine love, we will be understood if we speak in Sanskrit. This is why mantras are in Sanskrit. We recite mantras as a means of developing our capacity to relate to divine beings. Just like we learned our mother tongues when we were children, we need learn this language if we hope to dialogue with the devas. And, just like the grownups found us adorable when we were tots and tried to articulate words, the divine beings find us cute as a button as we learn mantras. We receive only love, support, and praise.
Fortunately, while we live in this material world we are not barred from the dancehall should we not be proficient in mantra. We are still capable of participating in the grand, cosmic dance if we dare to love. If we fail to do so, we are like wallflowers at the prom; bashfully standing on the side wishing someone would ask us to dance. I am here to tell you that you are warmly welcome to join in the fun. The invitation has been extended, your dance partners are yearning for you to join them.
When we enter the dancehall, the world around us doesn’t change; it’s still constructed of matter. But our concepts change, and with this our perceptions. For instance, you have to go to the supermarket to shop. Maybe this seems like a chore. But supermarket is just an idea. It is a actually a manifestation of the entire natural world which provides for our sustenance, and you and all the other shoppers are divine souls partaking in the melodrama of human incarnation. You can dance while pushing a shopping cart. Just because others aren’t doing it doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
In the ream of love, there is no seeking for freedom because the opposite is not bondage, but yearning. The flower of love has two petals: union (completion) and separation (yearning). Yearning is the fire of love that burns eternal in every soul in pursuit of the union of love. There is a sweet poignancy to the incompletion, the unfulfillment of love in this realm because it enhances yearning. Here, all separation and loneliness are divine gifts which nurture yearning.
There is no goal to be reached in the dancehall because the purpose of dance isn’t to get anywhere. The dance itself, the boogie-woogie-oogie, is its own reward. And it’s a delightful fact that when you really cut loose, no one can tell you how to dance. All that writings like this can do is invite, support, and encourage you. Ultimately, you have to rise out of your seat and take a chance. You will express yourself in the unique manner that is yours alone, alongside others doing the same. Your joy will permeate them, and theirs you. It may sound like a cliche, but this is the one big, happy family.
From a pragmatic standpoint, how are we to navigate these lokas and live a fulfilling and rewarding life? The spiritual path is not a military march in a straight line. It is an organic, twisting route from darkness to light, from ignorance to wisdom, from death to appreciating the immortal nature of your soul. There is no formula that works for everyone at all times.
Spiritual development is intimately personal and complete with paradox. As you accept the totality of who you are, your strengths and weaknesses, that which may seem to be an overwhelming obstacle is recognized as not much more than a single cloud in an otherwise clear sky. Owning yourself, all the messiness and utz, brings the energy of obstructions into the ecosystem of your completeness where they are not a big deal and can be processed over time.
Unless you are an axe murderer, or something, chances are good that what is holding you back isn’t a big whoop. Likely you are just like the rest of humanity; fallible and prone to the foibles which beset us all. But don’t settle for allowing your humanity to define you. Go deeply into your own divinity and your personality will become part of the package of you in a charming way.
Regular spiritual practice, whatever that may be, is essential. It’s like doing pushups; it takes repeated application to develop the muscles necessary to be strong enough so the default platform of the mind and body becomes stable. When in doubt, pray for what you want. For what you really want: to love and be loved. Winnow out the dross of superficiality. Go for the polestar of love. Like the old Slinky commercial advises: Accept no substitutes.
You can do this. You are already a winner. Every one of us won the initial contest: the sperm race. Be not afraid of the world: forgive others and yourself. Then go forth knowing the next step — be it in prison, classroom, or dancehall — is right in front of you, waiting for your beautiful feet to touch upon it with grace.
