IT’S YOGA TIME: June 21st  Was International Day Of Yoga

0
296

By Zile Singh

Ambassador (Retd.)

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds:  Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a great person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” – Patanjali, the Author of the Yoga Sutras.

The term ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning’ to join’ or’ to yoke’ or’ to unite.’ Thus, it is joining or establishing a harmony between your body, mind and soul, yoking your inner emotional- self and ultimately uniting with the universal consciousness.  One who experiences the oneness with universal existence is said to be “in Yoga” and is termed as a Yogi who has attained a state of freedom, nirvana or moksha. Yoga does not advocate escaping the worldly life and live a life of a parasite or recluse but living a household life by doing the  required duties and benefiting himself and the society at large by the fruits of his duties. Yoga is a way of life, without undue craving or aversion in his day-to-day chores. A Yogi is one who dwells in the present  moment with  his mindfulness and consciousness. In sum; a yogic life is an ideal life of “ Now”.

On December 11, 2014, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved a Resolution by consensus with a record 177 co-sponsoring countries to adopt June 21st as “International Day of Yoga”. India was the main sponsor of the Resolution. The UNGA recognized that Yoga is a useful approach to health and well-being for all including many lifestyle related disorders.   The main fundamentals of Yoga are, Karma Yoga (Asanas) where we use the body; Jnana Yoga, where we utilize the mind; Bhakti Yoga, where we utilize the emotions and Kriya Yoga, where we utilzse the subtle energy body to reach a heightened sense of being.

In Karma Yoga there are different Sadhnas like Yam, Niyam, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahar, Dharna, Dhyan, Samadhi, Bandhas, Mudras, Satkarmas, Yuktahara, Mantra-Jap, Yukta-Karma etc.

In a broader  view, all the countries on the globe need the acceptance and practice of yoga.    India, the land of yoga and the yogis is no exception to this.   When there is a break down of values and ideals, a creeping paralysis of fear and suspicion everywhere, people no longer feel secure, there is an urgent need for Yoga.   The Yoga, in its right perspective, can strengthen democratic ideals and advance the cause of world unity and peace.  In fact, Yoga is not a symbolic return to the methods and ways of life of the Ancient Ages.  On the contrary, it is seeking to explore the innermost urge of a human being – a desire for knowledge and to live in a secular and inclusive atmosphere cobbled with a scientific temper.  Yoga is the positive method to  wipe out the negative human emotions like, hate, anger, jealousy, lust, ego, attachment and delusion.  It promotes  love, mutual understanding, compassion, selflessness, non-attachment and a clear perception of oneness with the whole universe.  In addition to its physical benefits, Yoga enhances mental   awareness, mindfulness and universal consciousness.   It talks about the development of a free spirit in place of an  orthodox and unfounded rigid ideologies.  It impresses upon the multi-faceted development of the society at large.   It does not talk about the society peopled by a different kind of human beings who had lived under a mythical and compartmentalized social system.  Yoga has that reservoir of power that gives us in modern   times the power to mold the very face of the society and humanity at large casting aside the racial, religious, caste and colour  and political considerations.

In a right yogic perspective, Socrates said, “ I am a citizen, not of Athens or Greece, but of the world.”  Even the Preamble of the United Nations Charter mentions, inter-alia, “ ….. To establish conditions under which justice and respect for law and the pledged word can be maintained, and To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends To practice tolerance and live together in peace as good neighbours and To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security ….”  The UN Preamble, thus  reflects the basic ideas of yoga to mitigate human chaos.

In his message on the occasion of International Yoga Day in 2017, the Prime Minister of India observed, “ ….Yoga goes beyond being a set of physical exercises.  In fact, physical fitness is a by-product of Yoga.  Yoga teaches us how to lead a balanced life.  It is the key to a balanced mind, healthy body, noble thoughts and connects us to our inner self.  In a time when destructive forces are desperately trying to make their presence felt and divide the world, it is Yoga that can bring the world together…..”

Finally, “Yoga is a simple science.  It is neither theistic nor atheistic.  Patanjali really is superb, a miracle of a man. He never denies, he never assumes”. – Osho

 

Mr. Zile Singh is much respected Link Columnist, writer and a Vipassana Meditator. He can be reached at [email protected] .