A Material World

Who doesn’t know the famous Madonna song, material World? What does it mean to be living in the 2009 material world? Yoga is and always is whether good economy or not a place of material transcendence and spiritual connection. But in my many years of practice in California I have never seen a yogi’s path that was not connected with the material goods of yoga bags, mats, clothes, studios, and other paraphernalia. Yoga is a business that thrives on participants paying for classes. It is good for students to pay and for teachers to get paid. It is the exchange of money that keeps the world spinning around.

Today after one of my classes I discussed the economy and money with one of my students. We both concluded that perhaps it was a time for reflection, a change in perception, and a resetting of priorities. Perhaps health, happiness, and peace were truly more important than all the material “stuff” we consume.

Someone once told me that the more you own the more it owns you. And of course there is the song from the sixties that goes, "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose." Perhaps in our consuming ways we lost the very essence of what it mean to be free and at peace with our souls.

So here are three questions to ask yourself;

1. In reflecting upon my life what do I see staring back at me?
2. How have I changed my perception of life in the last year?
3. What are my priorities right now at this very moment?

Reflecting back at me is time ticking away. I am getting older and time is getting more precious. My perception now is that nothing last forever and each moment is subject to constant change. Don’t get stuck. Stay flexible. My priorities are my health, family, and living my life to the fullest with lots of laughter and love.

Doctor Lynn
www.doctorlynn.com