IN THE ABSENCE OF THE GURU PART I

Most people who embrace some style, system, school, or method of YOGA do so under the guidance and direction(s) of someone called "GURU' which is usually translated as 'TEACHER', and so,like those on THE PATH OF THE MONK or THE PATH OF THE FAKIR,tend to rely and obey and follow the GURU. Some do it blindly, others do it well, and still others do it badly-the latter being selfishly and full of pride(ego),coated over with, of course, the best intentions......an excuse for much laziness, no doubt.... Since nearly of us start AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN rather than at the top, the GOAL(AIM)may seem clear at first and most alluring,if not tempting and glamourous,BUT then may become obscured,out-of-sight and out-of-mind, and the PATH treacherous,winding, hazardous, slippery,steep, or too easy...... This MOUNTAIN, which is often called 'FOOL'S MOUNTAIN' for obvious and also esoteric reasons,is only the beginning, an OBSTACLE to what lies 'ABOVE'... The ANALOGY of various PATHS to the top, the summit, the heights,etc. ( sometimes worn smooth by numerous travelers of different religions, sects and systems,etc.)usually wears THIN-because though you may well reach the top,you cannot as a rule remain there and must descend! Having to descend is what nearly all 'Pilgrims' & 'Prophets', 'Neophytes' & 'Chelas' forget or ignore.. One might well ascend as a 'Christian', a 'Buddhist', a 'Hindu' or a 'Daoists' and come down a 'Muslim',a 'Sufi', a 'Zoroastrian' or even an 'atheist'....or any other category you can think of or prefer- The choices of both ASCENDING & DESCENDING PATHS are not always free and easy or ours to take or choose......