Avoid obsession with asanas

We should avoid attaching too much importance to asanas. Life is more than doing an asana- never mind with whatever motive we do the asana.

Our personality and asanas

We are born with certain traits and the rest is a product of the family and environment- friends, relatives etc. Practising asanas and pranayama cannot change these.We need a conscious awareness to remove these unwanted weeds and leave the healthy material to help us progress on the spiritual path.
Put differently- asanas and pranayama are not the way to realization. The reason I mention this is many sadhakaas believe that asanas and pranayama alone are enough for progress. This is erroneous. Unless we cultivate love for God we cannot progress.Ultimately, Love is the tool for progress. Little else is needed.

Asanas and our thoughts

Our thoughts are more important than practising asanas. Asanas are not the way to liberation. Internal change brought about by altering our outlook is alone the way as has been mentioned repeatedly in all religious schools.

True renunciation has nothing to do with asana practice

There is no profit in simply controlling impulses. A cobra becomes harmless only when its fangs are plucked out; similarly, the roots of impulses must be burned. Only then can the aspirant attain the Brahman. Of course, even pure desires are a bond. But they are not hindrances, however many they may be. A thorn is removed by another and both are thrown out afterwards, right? So also, when impure impulses are overcome through the influence of pure impulses, one has to outgrow both. This means that even the purest of impulses, the craving for liberation, has to disappear in time. Only then, can you become Brahman. A shackle is a shackle, whether it is of iron or gold. That is to say, one should attain a stage when neither good nor bad will attract or repel. Anyone aiming at the realisation of God should practice the diminishing of impulses, the curbing of the mind, and must strive to understand the fundamental principle of Divinity.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Technology & health

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
In this era of technology it is becoming increasingly difficult to lead a peaceful life; people are falling victim to various physical and mental ailments. Many people in the cities which are on the front line of civilization, have lost the delight of natural sleep. They experience only artificial sleep induced by tablets. Due to such excessive use of medication, heart and blood pressure problems are on the rise. People are becoming unhealthy wrecks who are lost in fear and anxiety. Drugs and pills are produced in millions, but the general health has not improved. In fact new varieties of illnesses have emerged and are developing fast. Only a few intelligent people have realized the efficacy of yoga and other spiritual practices. This they have confirmed through their own experience.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba