A large Camel train was passing through the desert. It had been a tiring journey and all the drivers wanted some rest and sleep. Thus, they decided to rest for the night. Soon, the camel drivers discovered that they were short of one Hitching Pin.

They all wanted to sleep. But, at the same time; they didn’t want any camel to wander away. Which would make their travel tougher.

After a while, one camel-driver had an idea. He went to the camel, took his rope and carefully went through all the motions, of tying and securing the camel to the pin.

The next morning all the camels were there; well rested. As the camels were released for their journey. One camel refused to get up or walk. It was then, the camel-driver remembered the imaginary pin to which the camel was tied. Thus, he went through the motion of untying the camel. After which the train continued with their journey.

The camel had been free the entire night. But the imitation had him bonded. Similarly, human beings are always free. But, we have tied ourselves to the drama we create and the burdens we encumber. All we have to do it is release the mental blockages (the duality of mind). 

We have tied our happiness or liberation; to pain, unhappiness, frustrations, unfulfilled dreams, people and so much more. But, we are as free as we allow us to believe. And, if necessary, create a ritual to untie these imaginary knots and be as free and happy you want to be.

Yoga is defined as, “Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah.” Which means Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.  We have tied ourselves to samskaras (impressions), the good-bad, right-wrong, etc. That we need a medium to untie the knot (real or imaginary). Unhitch and you will be free.  

Iti Jain

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