The body is the basis for all that must grow and develop upon earth, sariramapikhalu dharmasadhanam, the body is the means for the fulfilment of dharma at every level. Hence the growth of consciousness in the body through methodical physical culture is helpful at every level, – physically, vitally, mentally, psychologically, and even spiritually. Sadhana itself is done in the body and, if we take its ultimate goal, it is the transformation of the bodily life here. To ignore the bodily life clips the wings of the spirit as well.
This does not mean that body building is the royal road to spiritual emancipation. It can give some confidence but there are people who are well built physically but weak emotionally and also full of fear. Besides most people do not do physical exercises for awakening the physical consciousness. People do body building often to look good which ends up tying them too much to the surface bodily consciousness. Some do out of fear of illness believing that exercise will keep them healthy. Staying healthy is good but overdoing even a good thing and doing it out of fear is self-defeating. It is the faith and motive therefore that is most important behind all we do including physical exercises.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
