Using concepts can be helpful. There are natural processes taking place and we can use concepts to get our minds to grasp them as it is often difficult, at least initially, to be conscious of a complex experiential process.

We use aerodynamics to describe how birds fly, but their flight takes place independent of that concept. Using systems theory we could describe the feedback loop of information that we may or may not be using to inform our yoga practice, meditation, interaction with others, etc. This conceptual framework helps us to a point but ultimately we are asking, “Can we be fully conscious to those experiences in a direct way without the concepts?” This in itself is a difficult idea to illustrate.

Let’s say you are standing on a mountain with a strong, clear wind blowing. Later that day you try to express how exhilarating it was to stand on that mountain by describing it to a friend. In an attempt to share the experience you might use concepts that possibly convey some of the information of the basic components of your experience. But it will be a pale comparison to the real thing. It’s like trying to catch the wind in a box and bring it down from the mountain top to show it someone. The essence can not be conveyed. It must be experienced.

While we can attempt to use words and ideas to align ourselves in a general direction at some point we need to drop them and go with the experience. If we don’t, we may miss the very things we were talking about for so long.