Live before you die, so that death is also a lively celebration.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
The breath must be enticed or cajoled, like catching a horse in a field, not by chasing after it, but by standing still with an apple in one’s hand.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Breath can be approached gently and patiently, rather than forcefully pursuing it.
This quote by B.K.S. Iyengar emphasizes the importance of a calm and patient approach to breath, likening it to the method of catching a horse. Instead of forcing something to happen, such as controlling our breath, we should cultivate stillness and gentleness, allowing the natural process to occur effortlessly, much like enticing a horse with an apple.
Themes
BreathPatienceMindfulnessStillnessGentleness
In practice
Example use cases
During a yoga class, the instructor might quote this to encourage students to be patient with their breath.
More from B.K.S. Iyengar
All quotes →Hard work and humility are essential for spiritual sadhana.
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The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.
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Healthy plants and trees yield abundant flowers and fruits. Similarly, from a healthy person, smiles and happiness shine forth like the rays of the sun.
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Before peace between the nations, we have to find peace inside that small nation which is our own being.
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