The Genii in the Bottle

The Genii in the Bottle is a reference to the natural genius that resides in all of us and which is mostly kept hidden and out of sight, hidden away and bottled up, so as not to bring attention to ourselves? The tensions that mask our true nature are usually the result of upbringing and education, and the fear of reprisals, if we step out of line. The face or mask we present to the world is the one that we feel will make us more acceptable to the world in which we live.

We learn by association, and soon discover some of the things that will make us more acceptable and fitting members of society. The self that we present to the world then becomes a recognisable blue print, with patterns of behaviour that makes us predictable and therefore vulnerable.

So stony faced can we become that we not only become closed to new ideas, but also to the suffering of others. This self or Ego, with its recognisable personality traits, is far removed from the Self (Atman), referred to by the Yogis, which lacks the limitations of the Ego-self, is visionary in nature, its boundary all encompassing in its infinite comprehension of all that is both good and evil.

The work of the Yogi is to release the fetters that bind the soul, and so release the wide eyed Genii, the true Self, and awaken to the light of an all comprehending consciousness that will bring love and a new creative input into every aspect of life. The working tools with which the Yogi works to achieve his new vision of reality are strong ethical principles, exercise, relaxation and meditation. The ethical principles of Yoga are more than man-made rules of expediency but have been discerned as part of the harmonic resonance of the Universe. The formative and integral aspect of exercise, through posture and asana do not only to achieve a healthy body but also help unify the scattered energies of the body.

The regular periods of relaxation also uniquely clear the way, so that tension is released, and a unique appraisal of oneself and life becomes possible. An over-active and busy mind creates confusion much like the ruffled water on the surface of a pond that breaks up the reflection of the clear blue sky above. A further aid to this process is to understand the nature of the breath so that mental and emotional calm is achieved, and one again is able to look inward with a calm and untroubled gaze, much like the soothsayer who looks into the crystal ball to see the play of light reflecting off future events. It is this ability to calmly reflect on one’s own inner life that enables one to pick up the subtle gradients in feeling, which are the valuable indicators in making right choices when planning for the future.

We are all born out of an infinite field of possibilities and the choices we make determine our future. Often these choices are reactions to what is immediately presented to us and not from the Genii or Genius that lies within. To bottle up our fears and hide behind the shield of expediency, can without release, confine us within prisons of our own making. The relaxation and meditation techniques of Yoga are an important first step on the journey toward Self discovery, inner peace and Self determination.