Vogue Cover Dec 1965, originally uploaded by Rootje.
I have a confession: I have been reading Vogue. You should see the looks on people's faces when I tell them this - like I am a yoga teacher with a drug habit or something! Thing is, the pictures are pretty, and it distracts me from daily life. This is what I want. Daily life is hard at the moment; Vogue is fluffy and somewhat vacuous. I love it! Yes, I am aware of the problems with women's magazines. But Vogue is what I need right now. And you know what? I can vindicate my habit...
In the Yoga Sutra, it says:
Any inquiry of interest can calm the mind
YS 1.39, translated by TKV Desikachar
A wise yoga teacher I know once referred to this, and its neighboring sutras, as first aid measures. Basically, when nothing else is working, do what you need to do to get your mind off the negative track and back into a more neutral one.
I remember reading a while ago, in the magazine I am trying justify, about Norris Church Mailer, wife of the more notorious Norman. She had been very ill and had undergone several surgeries, leaving her health tenuous and her body very thin. So thin, in fact, that she could wear couture, bought vintage at auction from the wives of New York's wealthy. Now that, I say, is making lemonade out of lemons! Why not find some enjoyment in life despite ailing health?
So, any enquiry of interest can calm the mind. Why not Vogue, why not fashion, why not pinup art or motorbikes for that matter?
Just as long as we bear in mind what Desikachar goes on to say in The Heart of Yoga:
But such enquiries should not replace the main goal, which remains to change our state of mind gradually from distraction to direction.
Bring on the mind candy!
8 comments:
I couldn't agree more and no judgement from my end! I hope things get easier for you soon hon. Thinking of you... xx
We all have our guilty pleasures, no justification needed. Now, if you pulled out a pack of cigarettes or bought a couple of tickets to a cock fight, we might have to talk;)
I read enough books on yoga and buddhism so when I get my hair cut at the salon, bring on Cosmo, People, and every other magazine of that type!
and when the Sex and the City movie comes out next month, I'm there!
there will always be people in "our world", Nadine, who are "spiritual snobs" and look down their nose at people who they think are not up to "their" yogic or spiritual standards. I've met way too many people like that at retreats. it's all Ego.
my response to those people is not printable.....;)
happy reading, sis!
ENJOY the reading... I couldn't agree more with everyone else's support of your mini-Vogue-vacations.
I hope that daily life eases up very soon...
Congratulations! I like Survivor- Outwit, Outlast, Outplay appeals to the warrior in me.
Why should you feel guilty? Enjoy.
I'm a huge Vogue reader and make no apologies. Sure it's all about being outrageously rich and thin, but who cares? As long as you're a well grounded person and don't take it too seriously it's a lot of fun. I think fashion is an art and I love to look at it. Of course, I'm not going be be buying any $3000 handbags any time soon, but I can sure appreciate the design!
Also - why must people think yoga instructors have to all be wacky, unfashionable hippies? They're probably the same people that think knitting is just for grannies!
Yes Yoga realign your focus. Distraction to direction
Trouble bodies mind spirit can indeed benefit from Yoga Practice
K Amber
POWER Yoga Positions FREE
Spiritual Growth To Enlightenment
Post a Comment