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A Few Notes on Meditation and the Spirit

© Jennifer M. Witkowski

Here in the western world, many people practice yoga simply for physical exercise. They seek to tone their muscles, or to become more flexible. Other practice yoga for mental relaxation: to relieve stress and mental fatigue and quiet the mind. Using yoga for physical exercise or mental relaxation is perfectly fine and acceptable, and one can certainly benefit greatly from yoga for these purposes. However, there is a third reason for yoga practice: for spiritual benefits. Indeed, practicing yoga to obtain a higher spiritual state was it's orignal purpose when it was developed in the eastern hemisphere. In upcoming articles, I will be discussing in more depth different spiritual philosophies of some of the great yoga teachers. Here I would just like to share some opening thoughts on the spiritual side we all possess, even if we choose not to open ourselves to it.

Every human being has a need to feel a part of something greater than themselves. As humans, our bodies are all mortal, and one day, our physical selves as they are now will cease to exist. The question of whether there is more to mankind than can be measured in flesh and bone is as old as mankind itself. It is more than just a question of "life after death." It is a matter of why we exist at all, and how we are connected to the world around us, and to the universe.

These questions are at the very core of our existence...but very very few of us take any time at all to think of them in the course of our modern life. We are too busy worrying about getting to work, getting the kids to soccer practice, getting the house clean and getting our errands run to meditate much on just why we do these things. So often we run about helter skelter with no sense of purpose. There is constant emphasis on "getting things done," without ever questioning the purposes for getting them done, let alone questioning our greater purpose here on this earth.

I'm not saying that everyone should quit their jobs and spend all of their time in meditation. Certainly this would be impractical! However, I believe it is important to spend some time reflecting on our spiritual side, and nurturing it as we would develop our physical bodies or relax our minds. Nurturing our spirituality can help us see beyond the hustle and bustle of everyday living into our very core, what we are here for and what we truly wish to accomplish in this stay here on earth.

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