Effects of Non-yogic Association

Recently, I traveled to Washington, DC for work; I think my last visit was in October 2023. Before leaving, I had a steady practice, and I was progressing considerably. I continued my practice while there, though I started the morning session closer to 6 AM instead of the 4/5AM starts. I had some good sessions and I felt good until I returned to Florida.

I returned with a stagnated energy in my psyche, and it took approximately four (4) days of practice for that energy to somewhat dissipate. It also took a lot more time for me to reach a high level of intensity during a pranayama session--not to mention the inability to maintain focus at the muladhara chakra.

I dealt with increased thoughts in the psyche, and it was a struggle to separate myself from said thoughts. Before leaving, a short pranayama session naturally lasted about 40 minutes and a normal session lasted around an hour and 20 minutes. Let’s just say that my sessions have not lasted as long after returning.

The retarded energy is not completely gone, but it is not taking me as much time to achieve a higher level of clarity in the psyche during my sessions.

I write this to detail how non-yogic association retarded my practice and I did not realize it until after the damage was done. I am grateful that I only visit DC a few times a year. Just imagine what the damage would be if I lived there, went into the office weekly, and associated with friends regularly.

I was alerted about the dangers in non-yogic association, but it didn’t quite hit me until I started having these types of experiences. This is why the thought of attending a party scares me today, but I craved that type of stimulation just a few years ago. Jai Shri Krishna.