Bhoga is Yoga. The Bhogi enjoys to live while the Yogi lives to enjoy. Ultimately both paths lead to the same end, but we must learn to combine the two. If we have no goal, we will get nowhere. If we do absolutely nothing to enjoy ourselves in the moment, we will also get nowhere. To clear things up a bit, bhoga is more the lay life which in part involves more going out and having fun. While the Yogi's goal is God-Realization before his life comes to an end or perhaps in one of his next incarnations as a human. We must learn to combine the two paths. If we strictly follow one or the other we may go insane. The Buddha also taught the importance of "the middle way", which sort of applies here I suppose.
I'm almost finished reading Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Heart of The Buddha's Teaching". This may be the greatest and most important book I've ever read regarding Buddhism. Yes, Thich Nhat Hanh is the closest human being you will find that is comparable to Lord Buddha.
I got into meditation right around my 20th b-day. I went through an inner-transformation that lasted nearly 4 months, but ultimately ended up in a disaster. I believe I combined bhoga with yoga by spending 5 years traveling North America (2014 - 2019). I needed to devote a significant amount of time enjoying myself living life. Which I did because travel is my favorite activity. Someday I will see Europe and Asia!
We must follow the middle way.
There will be another day!
- Lizzi
