Let’s practice Lila Yoga in Kali Yuga
There are four paths of Yoga (enlightenment):
- Jñāna Yoga : the path of knowledge
- Karma Yoga: the path of detached action and selfless service
- Bhakti Yoga: the path of devotion
- Rāja Yoga: the path of meditation
I always felt a *fifth* path of Yoga is missing — one which is embodied by the young and playful Krishna when he danced blissfully with Radha and the Gopis
This beautiful dance is known as Raslila
“ras” means “nectar”, “emotion” or “sweet taste”
“lila” means “act,” “play” or “dance”
The different gopis that Krishna dances with represent allegorically our various emotions that arise within us (anger, joy, sadness) and the varying life situations we face over time.
Rather than identify ourselves too closely with these fluctuating emotions and feel crushed by changing life circumstances, Raslila invites us to “play” with them with greater awareness and aliveness
Rather than view Life cynically as a Maya (illusion), Krishna invites us to perceive and engage with Life as a Lila — a Divine Play
In 2024, as the going gets tough — socially, ecologically, geopolitically — let’s practice LILA YOGA by connecting intimately with our Soul (symbolized by Radha at the center of the graphic above).
Lila Yoga is the fifth “playful” path of Yoga fit for the Kali Yuga (the dark era we live in now).
