Neither Yoga, nor Japa, nor Mantra

Following is an excerpt from a samvaad (dialogue) session with Acharya Prashant.

Questioner: Is there value in practicing Yoga, and meditation?

Acharya Prashant: No.

There is some physical value involved, and that is an important value. But unfortunately, the value that we are looking for is a Spiritual value. In that dimension, there is no value.

It is very good if we want to take care of the body. And it must be honestly acknowledged as being good in taking care of the body. But if it is sold as salvation, then it is a case of misleading branding.

Listener: Why are you telling us about the Truth?

AP: I don’t know. Wind blows, leaves move, why do they move? One day they fall, and then they are one with the soil, now they no longer move, why don’t they move now?

L: You said Yoga and other such practices do not help in the spiritual dimension. What does?

AP: This honesty does. When you really want to know — that is Spirituality. Now there is nothing else left to achieve. Here you are and in your present position, this is the best that you could do honestly, and that is Spirituality, nothing else. You cannot go beyond yourself, jump out of your skin to the stars. You are a limited being. That’s what you take yourself to be, that is what your whole self-concept is. Now as this limited being, when you exert your utmost, to stretch yourself, to go beyond yourself, then that is spirituality.

L: Singing, chanting a Mantra, is that a good thing?

AP:

When you are in attainment, then you sing. But just by singing, you will not reach anywhere.

Otherwise, there are so many professional singers. Somebody once said, “You know, if you travel a lot, then your experience is widened, and you become a wise man.” I said that I know a couple of air hostesses, and they are two of the dumbest people I know. And they have traveled the whole world twenty times over.

In wisdom, whatever you do is beautiful. But just by copying the beautiful acts of somebody else, you will not become wise. Start from wisdom, which is the right point to start with.