Get Off the Yoga Mat and On the Meditation Cushion


My friends are often perplexed when I say that I do yoga. "Yeah, done it for years, swear by it." The statement conjures up images of lycra-clad contortions at the local gym, and is ferociously at odds with my laid-back, if not horizontal, lifestyle. Despite this, I find 'yoga' a better description of my practice than the equally easily misunderstood catch-all term 'meditation'.


From its present popularity, one might assume that ancient sage Patanjali has a lot to say about Hatha Yoga. The author of the Yoga Sutras defines yoga as 'ceasing the fluctuations of the mind' (I:2). In fact, only one aphorism out of one-hundred and ninety six in the 'Bible of Yoga' refers to posture. It says simply: 'The seat should be firm and strong' (II:29). That's it.

'Hatha yoga is useful and produces spectacular physical results, but this branch of yoga is little used by yogis bent on spiritual liberation' - Paramahansa Yogananda

Yoga is mind-body union and beginners are often surprised at what a physical experience deep meditation is. 'Every state in the mind has a corresponding state in the body', according to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. So there is nothing whatever wrong with asanas; they play a very useful part in daily practice, even if only a few creaky Sun-Salutes. If we think of yoga as removing an obstacle, then performing asanas is the heavy preparatory work, similar to breaking concrete with a sledgehammer. Meditation afterwards then hoovers up the debris. A combination of asanas and pranayama is the perfect way to ease yourself into the yogic trance.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, 2007

It seems presumptuous to offer timeless spiritual advice my personal seal of approval, but I'm talking from an everyday, worldly point of view. How it works for me. I have practised yoga meditation daily for a couple of decades plus now, without ever becoming super-knowledgeable about Ayurveda. All the business of asanas, massage, panchakarma, body type, balancing the doshas, seemed to me quite peripheral, and all the supplements and treatments an expensive luxury indeed. 


I reasoned that everything comes from the meditation first. Get that right and everything follows. Tapping into higher consciousness leads spontaneously to a more balanced lifestyle and one naturally falls into a healthy routine. It is remarkable, actually: with powerful meditation you just start doing the right thing, and can read about it in the literature afterwards.

Still, an epiphany a couple of years ago gave me an insight into the importance of the physical side. Yoga is mind-body union; building a platform strong enough to support a higher level of consciousness, which by definition, means a sound, healthy body. We all have flashes of insight and moments of bliss in meditation, but the idea is to make it permanent. 'The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak': Enlightenment is our natural state, but we can only live it once our body is ready.

Proper food, therefore, is crucial. Organics not only have more nutrients, but are spiritually healthier - processed food makes you dull, lazy and unwell: just watch the debilitating effect a cheap takeaway meal has on your mood. 

Abyanga body massage with sesame oil massage is another Ayurvedic staple. It tends to make me drowsy first thing in the morning, but with enough sleep, it gives you a golden insulated feeling that promotes inner ecstasy. Rest itself is vital too. Sleep pulls the arrow of our energy back and brings a good supply of breath. Long meditations are like deep-sea diving: you need a good lungful of air to stay down for any length of time.

So: it is possible to raise your consciousness simply by eating well and taking care of yourself.