Yoga doesn’t automatically make you a better person, instead you become a better person through yoga. It all starts within, not without. I have noticed that nowadays for some people doing yoga has become some sort of status symbol: some show off their expensive Louis Vuitton bag, some show off their yoga practice.
As I observe this nonsensical quest for acceptance and status, I wonder: “Since when has your spiritual practice given you the right to consider yourself better than anyone else?”. What happened to the teachings about love and acceptance?
It looks like some of us are missing the point here. If you meditate and your friend doesn’t, you don’t earn brownie points for your good deed, because it is not a competition. We are fooling ourselves if we truly believe that there is only one path leading to a deeper understanding.
The paths are infinite and the choices endless, but none of the is better or worse, just different. From my own experience I know that when love is a priority, amazing things happen. In fact I believe that it isn’t a matter of right or wrong, better or worse, it is instead a matter of happiness. If you are not happy here and now, then you may want to adjust a few things. But yoga isn’t the answer if its only purpose if to fill the hole that your lack of self esteem has left in your soul.
Feed the heart, starve the ego.
Namaste ~ नमस्ते
Jess
Exactly. And being good at performing asanas doesn’t mean you’re “good” at yoga… Great post.
Thank you, I’m glad we are on the same page!
sadly this is a trend that most spiritual practices follow that creates a lot of tension. I really had never thought of this in regards to yoga, however I completely see your point. Thanks for bringing me new awareness!
Thank you for your kind words Jennifer! I agree about the tension, it is a real shame as those practices should bring us together rather than create differences.
Jess, I’d take it a step further and say yoga helps you to realize the beautiful person you already are.
Very true!