Living the Principles of Yoga in Everyday Life
Spirituality in the 21st century vastly differs from what we saw even 100 years ago. Back then, those with a spiritual calling had limited options: One could join a monastery or go to the Himalayas in search of a guru or an ashram.
Today, spirituality has permeated daily life. Practices like meditation, pranayama (breath or energy control), yoga, and more have found their place in the lives of successful businessmen, athletes, students, parents, professionals, and others.
However, many people still equate spirituality with renouncing the world. They believe that following high spiritual teachings as part of daily life is impossible – this is their justification for leading and maintaining a material life – ‘When I retire, I will devote more time to my spiritual growth.’ ‘When the kids are grown and out of the house, then I will be able to focus on spiritual things.’ By the time one reaches that point, the material tendencies and habits developed over decades make it even more challenging to change. In later years, some people simply pass the time waiting for death to release them from life’s mundane realities.
That said, we cannot ignore the difficulties and unique challenges posed to the spiritual aspirant by modern life with its unceasing distractions of materialism and sensuality. What can one do to remain steadfast on the spiritual path while fully engaging in everyday life?
The 4 Pillars of Living a Spiritual Life
Both science and the ancient scriptural teachings agree on one simple fact – that the world around looks like it’s made of matter but in reality, it’s condensed energy. The Eastern philosophy calls this prana or cosmic energy that sustains all life, including our bodies.
This energy is also the animating force behind our physical body. Yogis explain that cosmic energy enters the body through the medulla oblongata at the base of the skull, passes up to the brain, and down through our nervous system, into our hands, limbs, and the other organs of the body.
The direction of this energy flow influences our mood and reactions to life’s events. When we’re happy or excited, such as after receiving good news, energy shoots up in the spine. This is evident in our physical reactions. After receiving good news, we have a tendency to inhale, lift our chest, look up to the sky, and throw our hands up in celebration. We even use phrases and expressions like “I’m feeling uplifted” or “I’m on cloud nine.”
The reverse is also true. Times of depression or emotional turbulence are accompanied by a downward flow of energy in the spine. We heave a sigh, slump forward, and look down at the floor and use phrases like, “I’m feeling low,” or “I’m downcast.”
Therefore, on deeper introspection, we realize that our reality is determined not by outer circumstances but by our reactions to them. Paramhansa Yogananda said, “Circumstances are neutral. It’s our reaction to them that makes them good or bad.”
These reactions are ultimately caused by movements of energy in the spine. The ancient yogis realized that if man can gain control over this energy and direct it upward as much as possible, he can learn how to be calm, even-minded, and cheerful through all life’s circumstances.
The fundamental way to achieve this control is by meditation. However, meditation alone is not enough. Our daily life can also help us to keep our energy uplifted. The following four pillars do just that.
Pillar #1: Sadhana – Spiritual Practice
Of all spiritual practices, meditation is one of the most effective methods we can use to detach from the chaos of the material world and draw us closer to our center. It gives a direct, intuitive experience of higher consciousness and is the cornerstone of deep spirituality. It also brings balance, rest, and growing inner peace.
All meditation practices have one goal – to gain control over the energy flowing in the spine. Some do it indirectly ,while others are more direct.
Kriya Yoga, revived by Mahavatar Babaji in 1861 and popularized later in the West by Yogananda, falls into the latter category. It is an advanced technique of pranayama that directly works with the flow of energy in the spine. Yogananda writes in his book Autobiography of a Yogi:
Kriya Yoga is an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened. The scriptures aver that man requires a million years of normal, diseaseless evolution to perfect his human brain sufficiently to express cosmic consciousness. One-half minute of revolution of energy around the sensitive spinal cord of man effects subtle progress in his evolution; that half-minute of Kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.
Kriya, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite. In contrast to the slow, uncertain “bullock cart” theological path to God, Kriya may justly be called the “airplane” route.
Daily meditation is key to raising our energy, awareness, and consciousness above the pulls of this world. It’s the scientific way to free yourself from the shackles of materialism and find your greater reality in Spirit.
Pillar #2: Seva – Selfless Service
When we serve others without selfish motives, we experience a joy that is unknown to the typical materialist. This joy is not the kind of happiness you have when you get your paycheck. It is unconditional, not circumstantial, and finds its source in giving rather than in taking.
Much of our lives is spent thinking about ourselves, driven by the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’ This tendency, however, deepens our separation from others. This is why, even though we are more connected than ever globally, we feel increasingly lonely and isolated. When we start to make our lives more about serving others and including their welfare in our decisions, we feel a part of a greater reality. With that sense of expansion comes inner joy.
In your professional or business life, don’t think that you are working only for pay ,but also for helping others. You will then attract greater prosperity, happiness, friendship, and fulfillment of all kinds. Your work is not separate from your spiritual life. You can spiritualize your work by thinking of every act as an act of service to others.
Pillar #3: Satsang – Company of Truth-Seekers
If one wants to become a businessman, they spend time with businessmen. If he wants to become an athlete, he spends time with other athletes and coaches. Similarly, if one wants to live a spiritual life, try to find other truth seekers with whom to share the spiritual path. Such support is especially important in the early stages. Paramhansa Yogananda advised:
Beginners on the spiritual path, especially, should be very careful in the company they keep. They should mix with other devotees, and try not to mingle with ego-saturated, worldly people. They should especially avoid people who are negative. Whether one becomes a saint or a sinner is to a great extent determined by the company he keeps.
If you cannot find such a group where you live, endless options are available online. Ananda Sangha also offers a plethora of online sessions for you to explore.
Pillar #4: Spiritual Study
Continuously seek to deepen your understanding of the various aspects of your spiritual life. Study the lives of saints who have come before you and have reached the ultimate goal of Self-realization.
Through study, you will cultivate a deep desire to attain the qualities of the spiritual giants you read about and to personally experience the truths they have realized. It will give you the hunger and drive to dive ever more deeply into your sadhana and seva.
However, don’t read to the point of confusion, and as Yogananda used to say, “spiritual indigestion.” There are hundreds of teachings out there that lead to the same goal. The fastest way to reach your goal is to commit to one path and follow it wholeheartedly. Once you have found your path, stay loyal to it. Yogananda stated, “Loyalty is the first law of God.”
Finally, do not be satisfied with knowledge alone. Scriptural truths, while valuable, cannot by themselves take you to Self-realization. Seek most of all the inner experience of these truths in meditation.
Moving Towards Your Goal
By following these four pillars, your whole life will be filled with positive, spiritual influences that propel you towards your goal. The materialism of the modern world will begin to seem like a mirage – its grip loosening as you start to rise above it.
Continue to go deeper and deeper into each of these pillars until one day, you find yourself standing at your goal. As Lahiri Mahasaya said, ‘Banat Banat Ban Jai!’ – Doing, doing, one day done!
