Lesson 246 - Intelligence, Bhakti and Genius

From: Yogani
Date: Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:33pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"


Q: Is it really possible to increase the intelligence doing Yoga?
What is the technique?


A: There is so much intelligence manifesting everywhere in nature.
For the most part it is automatic. We can see complex tasks being
performed constantly in the plant and animal kingdoms, not to mention
the sustenance of our own complex human bodies. The intelligence
inherent in all things seems infinite, limited only by the ability of
an earthly plant or creature to manifest it. Some say that the earth
itself is alive and oozing with intelligence.

If we take the point of view that intelligence is an infinite
reservoir residing within all of creation, then the answer to your
question is easy. Yoga opens our nervous system to what lies within
us. Here in the lessons we call it inner silence, pure bliss
consciousness, the witness, and many other things. It can be called
infinite intelligence also -- the very thing that animates all of
life. So, can yoga increase intelligence? Theoretically it seems to
be so. Not only that, experientially it seems to happen. Over the
years, there have been numerous studies on meditation that
demonstrate an increase in IQ. The Transcendental Meditation
organization has done a lot of work in this kind of research. See
http://www.tm.org/ for many studies on meditation as it relates to
improving the quality of daily life.

But there is much more to this intelligence thing than simply
increasing IQ. Intelligence is everywhere in everyone. But of what
use is it if it is not applied to a useful purpose? Intelligence
unapplied to a useful purpose is reduced to the level of parlor
tricks -- reciting the numbers in the phone book from memory, or
being able to count cards at the blackjack table. We are designed for
far more than that. What it takes is desire -- focused desire, and
this is the province of yoga also. Without the benefit of a high
ideal and focused desire (bhakti) leading us to daily practice of
effective yoga methods, we will not go far anyway, not far beyond the
parlor tricks. So the desire for a higher purpose comes first. Then
we can have it all -- the infinite intelligence within us, and the
fruit of bhakti combined with intelligence, which is genius. By
surrendering to our higher purpose, we go to a new level that is
beyond raw intelligence.

Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."

This means that genius is more about relentless devotion to one's
ideal than about one's inherent intelligence. Genius is about more
than IQ. It is about constant devotion our highest ideal.

I think few of us expect to be writing symphonies out of thin air
like Mozart could. Or single-handedly deriving the next level of
physics like Einstein did. Yet, each of us has within us the ability
to be a genius in something -- something that resonates deep in us.
We each have a gift to share, and if we commit to that, we can do it.
Our effort may not be seen and applauded by the world at large. It
will not necessarily be on the evening news. But it will surely be
seen by those we love and care for, and everyone on this earth will
benefit greatly. Love, cultivated to its heights through daily yoga
practices and shared in everyday life, is genius. A very special kind
of genius. It is the genius of enlightenment -- the genius of God --
pure intelligence openly shared as overflowing love. It is ours for
the asking.

You know, a funny thing happened a few weeks ago. I opened a fortune
cookie at dinner one night, and it made me weep. Here is what it
said:

"Intelligence does what it can. Genius does what it must."

Why would a simple saying like that make me weep? Perhaps it touched
a nerve. Clearly intelligence alone isn't the prerequisite for
finding happiness in this world. To be devoted to a high ideal is.
That is the purpose of yoga -- to open us to the highest purpose
within us, to aid us in doing what me must.

So, yoga does much more than simply increase intelligence. It
cultivates genius in us -- intelligence applied relentlessly toward
our highest purpose -- ecstatic bliss and outpouring divine love...

With the methods of meditation, pranayama, and the other practices in
these lessons, we can make the journey.

Thank you for your inspiring question. May your yoga carry you beyond
intelligence to genius ... Enjoy!

The guru is in you.

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