value lies in its scientific approach to finding God, based on an ancient tradition of experimentation. It offers nonsectarian guidance and wisdom for those seeking higher awareness, based on centuries of experience.
Spiritual awakening is not a vague, mystical experience. All true teachings, although some less specifically than yoga, point to very particular realities. As an example of this, we find statements in every scripture that say that heaven is “above” and hell is “below.” But no telescope has ever shown us angels flying around in outer space. Nor has any deep well-drilling equipment brought up screaming and protesting demons. Heaven and hell are not “up” and “down” objectively speaking – what is up for us is down for people in Australia. This concept has no cosmic relevance, but it does have infinite relevance for the individual.
We can easily see this relevance in our instinctive responses to life. When we feel uplifted or high, or downcast or low, we use expressions which reflect these feelings. Spiritual awakening implies raising of energy and consciousness in the body. And hellish consciousness, materialistic consciousness-that which takes us away from joy and down into suffering and pain-is always a descent. Isn’t it true that every time we feel wonderful, we experience a rising energy inside ourselves, and we look up?
You never see people smiling and looking upward, saying, “I feel so depressed.” Likewise, you don’t see people slumping, looking down and droopy, saying “I feel so happy.” Quite the contrary, for these physical reactions are manifestations of universal truths, based on the way we are made. What yoga does is particularize these truths by