$60

The Shiva Samhita, one of the classical texts of Hatha Yoga says: "When this body, obtained through destiny, is made the means of attaining divine bliss, only then does it cease to be a burden and become fruitful, not otherwise." [2:41] Practicing Hatha Yoga for the sake of the body will only lead to more suffering, frustration, self-judgement, competition mentality and ego; but practicing Hatha Yoga for its true and sole purpose: "divine bliss", happiness, joy, delight, only then will we develop a lighter, more compassionate, more patient attitude towards our bodies and their idiosyncrasies; only then will we develop some perspective towards our bodies, and not be obssessed with them. Therefore, discipline on the Yoga path is first and foremost  the discipline of the mind, because what and how we think will determine what and how we do and the results of our actions. The mind that is polluted with thoughts of scarcity, discontent, resistance, frustration, ego-centered drive and judgement towards self and others will not give us an experience of the bliss that is at the very basis of our self, so promise the sages of Yoga. We may have beat our bodies into shape before but how much joy and confidence has that given us? How much freedom from pain, both physical and emotional has that given us? How long did that last? Let's check. Only the mind that is disciplined, "rooted in truth," says Swami Chivilasananda, meaning that is compassionate, patient, all-allowing, grateful, one-pointed and focused on the highest goal, will undoubtedly give us lasting satisfaction. "When you tap into the bliss of your own inner Self," says Siddha Yoga Master Swami Chidvilasananda, "the more you experience, the more emerges. This amazing promise transforms a seeker's attitude towards his body. He no longer sees it as a burden, but as his greatest asset, the vehicle that sustains the inner journey."