Just as I was about to start writing this, my first post here and ever, I realized that the title I chose echoed from my Yoga teachings – Karma Yoga vs. Jnana Yoga. The path of action vs. the path of knowledge (and before you go for what my seem like the obvious choice… hang on). I find this to be an irony since I have been put-off by the philosophical aspect of my yoga training. Yet, here I am at this new starting point – this new Karma/Action, referencing Jnana/Knowledge. It almost pulls the rug out from under my feet… but then again….
Karma Yogo can be exemplified by my life and the lives of most of the people I know – a life that is engage in human society-living: work, pleasure, family, friends, etc. Jnana Yoga can be exemplified by religious practitioners who choose to retreat from society to study, meditate, practice religious worship etc. One path integrates with life while the other renunciates it – creating space for a path of knowledge ( and enlightment?).
From the moment I decided to set up this website – obstacles seemed to be appearing all over the place. I couldn’t get to it or get it done (for the record it took two minutes). Some obstacles may appear to be good excuses other less so. I assumed that they were serving a purpose (higher then mine?) but I did not indulge in wondering what they meant. I insisted on getting it done and here it is.
Before this gets too long I’ll get to the point and subject of this post. I strogly feel that for me, in this period of my life, action as more supportive then thoughts. I could have gone on thinking forever about the details of this site – then it never would have happened.
Until a few minutes ago I was intent on writing about Action vs. Thought. Then, by taking action everything changed. I suddenly realized that action is not versus thought/knowledge but rather that action is a path towards thought or knowledge. The rug wasn’t pulled out from beneath my feet at all – it is not ironical that when I chose to write about action I came across knowledge. It is EXACTLY the point. By acting to create this site I have taken another small step in integrating my thoughts and knowledge.
… and I have another thought to write on the matter – and it involves sharing… hmm….