"The heart possesses a special intelligence. It contains within it every life experience of our existence — each sense impression, thought, terror, abandonment, joy, rage, resentment, secret. On an emotional and psychological level, when we open our hearts, we become more complete human beings. As much as we can learn with our intellects, the heart knows more.
"Hatha yoga, created and developed in India over thousands of years, uses a series of specific body poses to heal the body, mend the mind, and awaken the soul. Many of these postures, combined with concentrated breathing, are designed to open heart energy that expands inner awareness and promotes health.
"For millennia, Indian yogis and holy men strove for a deeper method of expanding consciousness. Among their pursuits was a system that would integrate and heal the body, mind, psyche, and soul. In the course of their search, they discovered dynamic energy centers (called chakras in Sanskrit). According to the yogic system, healing takes place when energy centers are unblocked, through the use of breathing techniques and specific body positions or postures. Tensions in the body are released and energy flows more freely throughout all the systems of the body. When the body is at peace, the mind and the emotions are steady and calm. Many yoga students report that another gift of this practice is a greater awareness of their capacity for giving and receiving compassion.
"Some time ago I visited a monastic on the celebration of his eightieth birthday. A small crowd gathered outdoors in a green valley amidst lacy trees, flowering shrubs, and singing birds. On first meeting Brother, I was struck by the exquisite blend of his spontaneous joy and kindness. His humility and startling realness were palpable. As he spoke to each one of us that day, his gaze was direct and personal. No race of fear or ego could be felt coming from him. Brother was in perfect atunement with each person there, as if he had known us all of our lives. A subtle, powerful energy vibrated from him, like a flower shining in full sunlight. His heart brimmed naturally with overflowing love, simplicity, sweetness, and great humor."
