The “True Yoga”

I met someone today who said to me he thought the ‘true yoga’ was

To be found in India. 

As he spoke those words, something inside my body

Tightened.

Tightened and then softened into inquiry.

Hmmmmm, I thought,

I don’t know about that.

I have seen many a guru in India whom,

Despite their teaching being impressive,

Abuse their position of power and,

Therefore, they are not really living yoga….

I have witnessed as much ignorance as well as grace and wisdom

In many countries of the world, 

In many cultures,

In many people…

In myself.

Is this ‘true yoga’ confined to a feeling state –

One of peace, of bliss, of calm?

Is it confined to what is beautiful and good?

Or does it embrace all –

The life-death-life dance

We all dance?

Is it limited to a set of steps and stages along a 

Fixed path to some distant goal

Called ‘enlightenment?’

Or is it something so close we

Miss it by looking so far?

Could it be unlimited, ever emerging presence?

Can it be defined?

Does it even have to be called ‘Yoga’?

After some time, some movement, some 

Inquiry within,

I can only ponder that the

‘True Yoga’ is nowhere and

Everywhere all at once.

It is within me, 

In this very moment….

Wherever I am in the world.

And it is within you

In this very moment….

Wherever you are in the world.

It is within everything.

It is nowhere not….

And this is not a conclusion.

The inquiry is ongoing…