Mind-Body-Spirit Potential

Approximately 6,000 years ago, the pioneers of modern Yoga Science dealt with similar stressors to those we face today. But instead of seeking solutions outside themselves, certain women and men embarked on a journey of self-inquiry and self-discovery. Through their process of internal research, pioneering meditators of long ago received a priceless, practical treasure that can serve us well today––if we are motivated to follow in their footsteps.

An ancient yogic story, similar to the Greek myth of “Ariadne’s Thread,” provides instruction on how you too can discover life’s greatest hidden treasure. The story tells of a cave explorer who, as she enters the mouth of a dark cavern, begins unraveling a ball of golden thread she carries with her. Her exploration leads her through many narrow, twisting passageways, into vertical cavities, past enormous waterfalls and pillars of bedrock reaching from floor to ceiling, until, at last, she enters a vast hall filled with treasure of unimaginable worth. Fascinated, she lingers there gathering treasure but recalls the needs of the world she left behind. Leaving the thread in place, on her return trip, she follows it back to the mouth of the cave and lovingly hands the end of that thread to a friend, saying, “Follow this into the cave and keep following it through many passageways, and you will arrive at an enormous hall filled with limitless treasure.” The friend is dubious, but the promise of a treasure encourages him. He looks in, but he is afraid of the dark and looks out again. The promise of the treasure is repeated, so he enters and goes a few steps but then retreats again. Gradually, however, he gathers the courage to follow the golden thread, going deeper and deeper and deeper, until, at last, he too arrives at the shining, precious treasure.

In 1975, I began the study of Yoga Science in earnest. Over these many years, through the daily practice of meditation and its allied disciplines, I have explored the spiritual passageways that lead to the riches hidden within all of us. Meditation is a profound journey without movement. When you learn to continuously listen to a mantra given by a qualified Yoga Science teacher, the mantra can guide your mind beyond the boundaries of transitory concepts, thoughts, and feelings. As the mind becomes increasingly more still, you’ll inherit the rarest of all human treasures: a profound awareness of the ocean of peace, happiness, bliss, wisdom, and love within you. This enlightening, divine encounter of consciousness observing consciousness—free of any uninvited and unhelpful concepts—will provide you the impetus and courage to examine, question, refine and consciously change the concepts you may now blindly employ. Then, through this ongoing process of scientific inquiry and experimentation, your every thought, word, and deed will safely and rewardingly draw you closer and closer to the highest fulfillment of human life.

For more information about the foundation course for Enlightenment visit americanmeditation.org/fc.