Yoga Needs Nothing

Lately I get more messages in my inbox from people trying to sell me yoga stuff than real student inquiries. Offers of anything I can possibly need for a successful yoga practice. But to achieve yoga we are told we need to give up everything. Yoga texts clearly indicate that all desires must be dissolved. So what are we selling?

QUOTES — from Hathapradipika of Swatmarama, 10 chapters by The Lonavla Institute, pages 16 & 17.

“Desires are born in the heart. They are not found in the jiva (the embodied soul). They (desires) cause bondage, for which wisdom is the only remedy.” (ch1, vs29)

“When one becomes enlightened, karmas are diminished, all the knots of the heart are removed and all the doubts are cleared.” (ch1, vs30)

“(Also) the pride, ego, cravings, boastings, attachment and longings seated in the heart are dissolved.” (ch1, vs31)
“On dissolution of all (the desires), moksha is acheived. Thus a mortal, who is firm in his mind, certainly becomes immortal.” (ch1, vs32)

“When the wisdom sets in, the desires embedded in the heart disappear. In the absence of all desires, The Truth gets revealed of its own.” (ch1, vs33)
 

Radhasri (Rhonda Fogel) has been teaching yoga in Canada since 1998 and is the founder of Hatha Yoga Shala currently based in Montreal.