The devotional path is not about institutions or academia. It has to be something you experience directly. By establishing a daily devotional practice you not only draw closer to the divine you become more grounded in the present. Sitting meditation, where we bring awareness to our breathing pattern, is where we start. And we begin where we are. No matter how imperfect, ragged or even unworthy we feel. It is not about enlightenment. It is about the heart.

There is no end to the barrage and variety of spiritual curriculum available in this day and age. It boggles the mind. One feels overwhelmed. It is overwhelming. You don't know where or how to start. Therefore you don't. Or if you do, you find yourself a collector. You collect asanas, breathing techniques, yoga teachers, classes, clothing, mystical jewelry and perhaps even a way of being that is not genuinely your own. Eventually, you find yourself unable to practice any of it. You give up. This is known as spiritual materialism. It is something we need to avoid.

A lifestyle is not a life.

Many Yoga Centers are missing the point. They are not addressing the entire scope of the practice. In and of itself yoga is not a spiritual path. It can be part of one. It can compliment a spiritual path beautifully. But for the most part, yoga has become a hip (perhaps even trendy) form of exercise. Which is fine. But if you want more it is available HariDas Baba pointed out, as early as 1971, that yoga has two parts: an inner and an outer - yet most people do not want to deal with the inner. Devotion is all about the inner aspect. It is not a group trip. It is yours.

Learning to sit up straight while watching the nature of mind and breath can be a simple, easy part of our daily routine. Having the sacred to focus our devotion upon guides us and opens our heart to the greater good.

If you had started now you would be home already.