Yoga's philosophy is based upon peace and the end of suffering. Each time a world leader has stood up to give this same message of world peace, he or she is shouted down. Yet, we must ask - "Has the world changed overnight?" Will Barack Obama "become the change we wish to see?"
Throughout history, intolerance has caused many set backs for humanity. Humankind's history is a track record of blood lust, based on close-minded beliefs about different ideas. Unfortunately, fundamentalist groups demonstrate that intolerance is still alive and well.
If you live in a democratic society, which is not at war, you have the good fortune to see the intolerant clearly. It is not so easy to see any issues clearly if you are in the middle of an armed conflict. Even in democracies, the masses can become swept up in polarization during wartime, after a terrorist attack, or in search of a political scapegoat.
How can Yoga help? Every form of Yoga trains the mind toward rational thought. In fact, Yoga is a nightmare for dictators and war mongers. How can you convince rational thinkers to kill their neighbors?
In the King James Version, of the Holy Bible, Mathew 5:43-44, Jesus states: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
The fundamentalist interpretation of ideas concerning peace is: "Let's be rational, see it my way." Actually, we have to listen to the narrow-minded and open dialogue in order to achieve a peaceful solution. You can afford to exchange ideas, with those who disagree, when you live in a democracy.
In a free society, people have a right to choose the path of enlightenment or the path of ignorance. Luckily, the intolerant have limited influence for now. This does not mean to send them on their merry way. It means that we should engage them in conversation, when they demand to state their viewpoint, with the provision that we may state our viewpoint, as well.
What good will this do? If you practice Yoga long enough, you should have a trained mind. As a serious Yoga practitioner, your beliefs in world peace, the end of suffering, and a clean planet, are good and noble causes, based upon rational logic. A blissful planet is the kind of world we want to leave to our children.
© Copyright 2009 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. aurawellnesscenter.com aurawellnesscenter.com
He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html
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