I had an epiphany today, of sorts. A spiritual experience that is truly satisfying is always an unconscious goal. I go to church, dabble in all sorts of religious thought, and have occasionally visited the empty chapel hoping that away from the noise and ritual of regular services, i might find something. this has worked, but very rarely. But today during yoga, i realized, as I struck a pose (we go through them all, crane, crow, dog, cow etc.), that yoga, with a good instructor, is a spiritual experience. Almost more than a physical experience. I was an archer, and the instructor talked about visualizing the melting away of obstacles, the realization of one's goal for the day, all while moving into different poses within the archer--stringing the bow, taking aim. It was so healing. And far more spiritually fulfilling than any recent church visit. Engaging the physical body is so crucial to disengaging the mind from its usual preoccupations. that's what 'flow' is, and, generalizing a bit, that is what happens when one is absorbed in one's work. Everything else fades. I think i got a peep through the keyhole today, into what it might be like to truly experience and know yoga. Yoga can open and expand the mind, by focussing the body. How fabulous!