yoga power

Meditation is not exclusive to yoga, and many people other than yogis meditate. As part of a complete yoga routine, however, meditation is the natural and logical culmination of the sequence, following asana (movement) and the concentrated, disciplined breathing called pranayama. It's the "mind" part of a practice meant to improve and maintain optimal functioning of the body, breath, and mind.

I've heard and read many meditators of all stripes testify that they have been "transformed" by the practice. It's not for me to throw doubt on anyone else's testimony, but in my own experience, "transformation" is too strong a word. Instead, I find that meditation has softened my personality, smoothing out the rough edges and rounding the sharp corners. All the basic building blocks of the personality remain in place, but under the influence of meditation have become less angular, rounded and loosely fitted together where they were once straight and unyielding.

This is my analogy for the power of meditation; it's like the power of water in a clear stream moving over stones, gently and slowly but relentlessly wearing away their sharp surfaces and rigid angles, making them smoother and rounder, and at the same time brighter, as they harmoniously settle down into the creek bed alongside their similarly altered fellow stones.

Etaoin Shrdlu
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