At the beginning, the mind finds difficult to constantly follow an outer schedule and not to be able to do what it wants. But after some times, one ceases complaining and accepts what is to be done. This change allows us to be led smoothly and in a fluid manner through the organization of the day. But it is not a passive acceptance which is required, I would rather say that it is a participating acceptance : instead of going in a kind of selfish resistance, our energy can be in tune with the energy of the place, it is like catalyzed.
After having gained this positive attitude, the life in the centre becomes very meaningful. From this point, we are able to see ourselves performing actions with the maximum intensity and awareness. In this way, yogic life allows to imbibe the concept of karma yoga. We do not act to serve our own interest, as we usually tend to do outside, we perform the activities for the functioning of the place, without any scale of values. There is not a noble job and a trivial one because everything is useful. Therefore, each and every one can make his own contribution whatever his capacities, and leave the position of yoga consumer. The atmosphere is not necessarily idyllic but everything is natural, it exists, it is part of the experiences that life has to offer, with conflicts, weariness or sadness, but also with joy, plenty of drive and many other positive things.
I want to emphasize another point. In my life, I often feel overwhelmed with various inputs : news, e-mails, phone calls, letters, TV, radio, web sites, advertisements, booklets, technical leaflets, new standards, regulations, documentation, opportunities to seize, gossips, friends, colleagues… This flow never stops, our energy is constantly absorbed by the outer world, dissipated in all directions. And of course each new information is more important to deal with than the previous one. Each and every hour, we have to look after four new things and we can only perform three of them. All day long, we run to get through all this or at least, pretend to do it… In yogic life, these outer stimulations are reduced. We are given a task, we have to be attentive, but we undertake only one work at the same time, never in a competition mood or aiming at a performance. Therefore, we can focus our energy on the present karma yoga and on the observation of ourselves performing it, rather than trying to finish the task as soon as possible to run to the next one… |
