There is no one-size-fits-all attitude in life. Medical doctors in the allopathic western tradition like to prescribe the same pills for everyone with the same symptoms. Generally that might work, but specifically it may be detrimental.
This is because - until we reach the platform of transcendence or become liberated - we are all different and unique, despite being similar. Thus, Ayurvedic medicine treats the individual according to their specific body type or dosha.
For an obese person (kapha dosha), fasting is good, while for an emaciated person (vata dosha), fasting is bad. For a stout person, hard work is good but for a thin person, gentle work and lots of rest is good, generally speaking.
Similarly, on the path of yoga, although we are all approaching the same goal or destination, namely liberation from material bondage, we may each be at differing stages on the journey and thus require different approaches according to our current state of being.
That said, in Ayurveda there are some things that are beneficial for everyone, regardless of prakriti or dosha or body type. For example mung dahl aka green mung beans, when cooked with rice, is very good for everyone; and butter ghee is also very beneficial for everyone. Ayurvedic medicine actually recommends ghee for all types, whether externally or internally applied.
Similarly, on the path of yoga and transcendence, mantra recitation aka japa or kirtan is very good for everyone, if the mantras are transcendental Sanskrit names of the deities, for example. Especially in this day and age, when we are less mentally fit for the ashtanga yoga practice.
So some practices are good for all, but when it comes to actual ashtanga yoga, we are all on differing levels of development. Curiously, this means that for some of us a lot of work is required, while for some others, cessation of work is required, which is completely the opposite approach.
When you're young, it's necessary to work hard at the task of self-realization, but when you're old, it is more necessary to work smart, not hard. Actually once you've reached a certain stage of consciousness, regardless of age, it's better to stop work, to stop aspiring, stop acquiring, and just be in the moment, absorbed in meditation.
For the neophyte however, this is not possible, and therefore they should rather engage the restless body and mind in lots of activity, rather than try to suppress activity in the name of meditation.
The same goal is desired but the approach might be totally opposite for one person compared to another. Therefore we can't judge by the externals sometimes, regarding the inner nature of the person. To us they may appear lazy but we don't know their inner state. Or they may appear too busy by our standards, yet they are not us, and may require hard work to channel their natures at their stage on the path of yoga.
Some aspirants may require vigorous pranayama breathwork and hatha yoga asana or posture practice, while others may require simply sitting and chanting mantra in meditation all day long. Still others may require deep philosophical study and discussion, while others may be illiterate and require song and dance as their yoga, as in the bhakti or devotional tradition.
Therefore, although the goal is one, the paths of yoga are numerous and can be customized for each individual's needs. That's why we can never criticize another person because we are not walking in their shoes. We are at our own specific state of development compared to them, even though ultimately on the liberated stage we are all spirit soul in consciousness.
Bhagavad Gita ch6:3
आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते ।
योगारूढस्यतस्यैव शम: कारणमुच्यते ॥ ३ ॥
ārurukṣor muner yogaṁ
karma kāraṇam ucyate
yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva
śamaḥ kāraṇam ucyate
SYNONYMS
ārurukṣoḥ—of one who has just begun yoga; muneḥ—of the sage; yogam—the eightfold yoga system; karma—work; kāraṇam—the cause; ucyate—is said to be; yoga—eightfold yoga; ārūḍhasya—one who has attained; tasya—his; eva—certainly; śamaḥ—cessation of all material activities; kāraṇam—the cause; ucyate—is said to be.
TRANSLATION
For one who is a neophyte in the eightfold yoga system, work is said to be the means; and for one who has already attained to yoga, cessation of all material activities is said to be the means.
PURPORT
The process of linking oneself with the Supreme is called yoga, which may be compared to a ladder for attaining the topmost spiritual realization. This ladder begins from the lowest material condition of the living entity and rises up to perfect self-realization in pure spiritual life. According to various elevations, different parts of the ladder are known by different names. But all in all, the complete ladder is called yoga and may be divided into three parts, namely jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga and bhakti-yoga. The beginning of the ladder is called the yogārurukṣa stage, and the highest rung is called yogārūḍha.
Concerning the eightfold yoga system, attempts in the beginning to enter into meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different sitting postures (which are more or less bodily exercises) are considered fruitive material activities. All such activities lead to achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses. When one is accomplished in the practice of meditation, he ceases all disturbing mental activities.
A Kṛṣṇa conscious person is, however, situated from the beginning on the platform of meditation because he always thinks of Kṛṣṇa. And, being constantly engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa, he is considered to have ceased all material activities.
Reference: Bhagavad Gita As It Is, translation and commentary by Swami A C Bhaktivedanta, original Macmillan 1972 edition.
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