Ancient Paths

“One does not traverse the Himalayas without a guide who has walked the ancient paths.” – Jack Kornfeld

Sometimes, life feels a bit like the Himalayas. Beautiful, yes—but also full of heartbreak. Serene in moments, terrifying in others. A steep hike for which I am woefully underprepared. Towering, jagged cliffs remind me of how small I am—and how one icy misstep could change everything.

So how are we supposed to make it through the Himalayas of our lives?

With a guide who has walked the ancient paths.

The technology to change our modern minds for the better is, ironically, ancient. Thousands of years old, in fact. Multiple cultures have offered paths toward mental clarity, reverence for nature, physical health, and a compassionate spirit. Yoga is not the only system that does this, but it is an effective one—a sort of spiritual Swiss Army knife.

Sure, there are plenty of excellent yoga books and videos out there. You can definitely learn a lot on your own. But there’s no substitute for direct transmission—from teacher to student. A live teacher can assess your progress, gently challenge your habits, and lovingly point out where growth is not only possible but waiting.

Let’s be honest—self-study (svadhyaya, in Sanskrit) only gets us so far. Without the insight of a teacher, we’re like kids grading our own math tests… and giving ourselves all A’s. 🙂

That’s the beauty of walking these ancient paths with a guide: they’ve slipped on the ice, taken the wrong turns, and built a map with their footsteps. And when we’re ready, they offer that map—along with a hand to steady us.

The good news is, you don’t have to walk the Himalayas alone. There are ancient paths. There are guides, yoga studios, teachers, yoga communities all around us to draw inspiration and knowledge from. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re probably already on a path that leads towards more spiritual fulfillment. So… as the adage goes, ‘There are two rules on this path… Begin, and …Continue.’