Slogan #37

Don’t Make Gods into Demons

Reflection:

On this Summer Solstice 2024, a day of light and transformation, I reflect on Judy Lief's words about Slogan 37: “Don’t make gods into demons.” As a Filipina-Canadian and the first yoga practitioner in my family, who initially disapproved of yoga due to our Roman Catholic background, I have experienced both the excitement and the challenges of integrating these teachings into my life.

When I first embraced yoga and the dharma, I felt renewed, finding practical wisdom and compassion that enriched my daily life. However, as time passed, I encountered deeper challenges that forced me to confront my ego. It's easy to selectively embrace the feel-good aspects of practice while resisting the transformative, uncomfortable parts. This can turn the teachings into a tool for arrogance rather than humility.

Today's practice asks us to reflect on our journey with the dharma. Have we become more open and appreciative, or more closed and opinionated? Are we using the teachings as a genuine path of transformation or a credential for our ego? Incorporating 108 Sun Salutations on this day deepens this reflection. The sacred number 108 symbolizes wholeness and transformation. This practice challenges us physically and mentally, reminding us to stay humble and open.

As B.K.S. Iyengar wisely said, "Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees."

On this Summer Solstice, I renew my commitment to the true essence of yoga and the dharma, embracing the light and challenges it brings, striving to let go of attachments that turn gods into demons.