Ken Wilbur is an amazing visionary. While much of his work focuses on the common ground between spiritual traditions, he also loves to look at the differences in belief systems, what he calls the anarchy of the gaps. These differences may provide fertile ground for growth. I actually prefer to look at the parallels between paradigms. Seems like we have enough division on the planet as we can handle so looking at those ways in which we are similar may be healing.I read recently about a man here in Jacksonville (Arbus magazine-March/April issue) who offers seminars to help insomniacs. He says that even though insomnia is not a virus nor a bacteria, it is treated with medications like it is an illness. Poor habits are the cause of insomnia and the workshop retrains people who have trouble sleeping to develop healthy habits that contribute to optimal sleep.
If we look at parallels from different traditions regarding sleeping habits, one that is consistent is the directive to go to bed early and to get up early. Texts from both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine state this over and over. I have studied with many master Yoga teachers from many traditions and without exception, every single master teacher I have studied with has an early morning spiritual practice. Early morning is a perfect time to practice Yoga. The body is very light from not having food for 8 hours or so and the rest of the day, eating and showering, is easier to manage in a practical way. If we do not have all day long to think about practice that evening, we are less apt to decide to skip it. Of course many of us have worldly obligations that prevent early morning practice but if we have a choice between evening or morning, early morning is the best choice. Traditionally, the Yogi begins his practice while it is still dark and the practice ends as the sun begins to rise and the final practice is an offering to the sun, a prayer of gratitude for one more day with the gift of a precious human body. At one point the serious seeker needs to prioritize life and material obligations are built around spiritual practice not the other way around. I have found personally that the Universe supports spiritual practice as a priority in a tangible, abundant way.
Yogis get up early.
Yogarupa Rod Stryker
