Householders

I found yoga late in life. I was already a householder...responsible. Of the world. One of my greatest inspirations is the life of Mahatma (Great One) Gandhi. He married at 15. Had a small passel of children...even admitted to being "lustful" for his (even younger) bride. He blamed himself for her never learning to read...he said he'd start to teach her with the greatest of intentions and then end up so overcome with lust that the lesson could not continue. : ) Ahhhh...human. He came from an affluent family. Went to university and became a lawyer...albeit, a bad one. And it wasn't until quite a bit later in his life (30's), after children, that he found the path of the renunciate and declared that he would continue to provide and serve his family but as far as physical relations and material wealth, he was devoting his life to "Satyagraha"...truth force...and to God. Without question, one of the most amazing human beings ever to grace this planet. But, I wonder what his wife and children must have thought? At least in the beginning...hmmmmm...

In our culture, it isn't feasible to live the life of an ascetic with a family. Or maybe it is. I don't know. I certainly don't live it. Unless you count the time dedicated to everyone in my family except myself. But, I don't. Ascetism is for a different time. Maybe after grandkids. Or great grandkids. For now, I live in the stage of Householder and I honor it. It's hard sometimes. But, most of the time seeing my babies sweet faces...oh, well...those are boons I'm not about to give back. I believe, as it should be!