In the 1980’s I was studying with BKS Iyengar in India. My notes and reading exposed me to the writings of Suzuki Roshi- Beginners mind, Joeseph Goldstein-Experience of Insight, Joel Kramer-Passionate mind to name a few. I was perplexed as to why there wasn’t the same degree of writing in the Iyengar world. These authors spoke of understanding gained through practice.
I began to write about my experience of practice and my understanding of the principles (philosophy) and to send these to Guruji or Geeta and they replied generously and these articles were published in books and newsletters. I asked my students to express their experience of healing or learning and I was shocked when the articles they wrote were rejected for publication in the Australian newsletter. It seemed that not all voices were equal. I could not understand why expressing and communicating our personal understanding was not accepted as valid knowledge (Pramana). In my view, how a community understands itself is as important and what its elders tell it.
Since that time I have been writing, to capture my experience and to encourage others to do so. I present these writings with humility to my community.
This article explores humility as something that naturally arises through sustained and attentive practice. As the layers of assumption, expectation and self-image fall away, yoga confronts us with what is actually present rather than what we hope to be. In this sense, humility is inseparable from perception and enquiry. It develops quietly over time, through the willingness to remain a student, to tolerate not knowing, and to meet experience honestly.
Humility is a natural consequence of self enquiry, deepened through sadhana, and becomes essential in both learning and teaching, grounding practice in sincerity rather than attainment.
Download the full PDF article bolow