One of the activities yogis avoid is gambling. Why? Because it counteracts the effects on the body, mind, and consciousness of our yoga practice. For example, you may do yoga to relieve stress and tension. Gambling not only increases tension and stress but creates fear and anxiety as well. These mental and emotional feelings can become deep-rooted, leading to health problems such as insomnia, headaches, ulcers, and digestive problems.
Gambling can be addictive, too, and lead to other addictions such as drinking alcohol or taking drugs. In some cases gamblers lose sight of their responsibility to their relatives and community. They may turn to crime or even steal from family and friends to get money for their habit. And it’s practically impossible for those addicted to gambling to meditate as their minds are never peaceful.
So if you want to enjoy good health and be peaceful in mind and spirit, follow the advice of the great yogis: Stay away from gambling. It will only make these worthwhile goals harder to achieve.
