Yoga practice can be the simplest of things. A gentle stretch, a mindful moment, an apology, a deep full breath with a slow exhale.
As yogis we have a responsibility as we move around in the world - to be aware, to be present, to be accountable and to be kind.
As my dear teacher Swami Satyadharma once told me, as yoga teachers; 'We are teachers of the peace, we are teaching people how to become peaceful.'
Yoga practice often begins with a journey into the physical dimension, letting go of tension within the physical body, creating space and freedom, and allowing the light to illuminate the shadows. A peaceful relationship with our own body involves moving in a way that is joyful and sustainable, not courting injury through overexertion and hyperextension, or courting sedentary diseases through the malaise of sloth, eating ‘peaceful' foods that are good for our bodies, foods that don’t cause the suffering of animals or the degradation of our natural environment.
From this physical freedom, we are supported to embark upon a journey on emotional understanding, beginning to understand our patterns of behaviour and the subconscious motivations for why we do what we do. The practice of yoga, is a discovery of light, an inner light that we can shine upon our inner world, and allow that light to shine upon the path for others.
Peaceful speech involves choosing words to communicate our desires and intentions peacefully, not seeking to inflame situations or the aggravate others unnecessarily. Choose words that are constructive, rather than being overtly critical, seek to challenge the behaviour, rather than the individuals involved.
The practice of becoming peaceful, begins with the practice of becoming accountable. As yogis we are encouraged to cultivate serenity within our inner world, and a big part of that journey is to acknowledge when we are wrong, to seek peaceful outcomes wherever possible.
Even when we are ‘in the right’ aggressive confrontation is often harmful to all involved, sometimes the desire to prove our righteousness can be as problematic as the denial of being wrong. Often times we are all a little bit involved in a discord, and by becoming accountable and saying sorry for our part, we demonstrate a template for others to do the same.
Within the Yoga Sutras, Sage Patanjali suggests that Pramana (correct knowledge) is potentially as problematic as Viparyaya (misconception) - simple translation is that being right doesn’t always mean being peaceful & happy.
That said there it is important to speak up against injustice wherever appropriate, the desire for truth and the art of debate is deep within the heritage of the yoga tradition. The desire to see justice prevail is a yoga practice in itself, and the journey needs to involve sattwa / balance for all involved.
Becoming peaceful often means becoming unencumbered by our previously held thoughts and opinions. To give honest justice to the current situation, we must relax our attachment to our previously held opinions on things - this is the practice of vairagya, and it begins with the way we approach our own mind. The wisdom of the yoga tradition proposes that we are not our thoughts, we are not our opinions, that is is a essence in each of us that is common to all of us - as yogis we seek to connect with that essence in ourselves and identify and celebrate the same within all others.
“Om sarvesham svastirbhavatu |
Sarvesham shantirbhavatu |
Sarvesham purnambhavatu |
Sarvesham mangalambhavatu |
Lokah samastah sukhino shavantu
om shantih shantih shantih”
”May all beings dwell in happiness.
May all beings dwell in peace.
May all beings attain oneness.
May all beings attain auspiciousness.
May all beings everywhere, be happy & free.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.”
If we truly seek peace for the world in which we live, then let it begin with us, let peace begin with our next movement, our next breath, our next words, our next actions. Peace reverberates, when we choose peace within our lives, others notice, through becoming peaceful we give permission for others to do the same.
In world that oft seems enmeshed in conflict and cruelty, yoga proposes an answer:
Yoga as a Prayer for Peace is a practice of active spirituality, it is a simple system based upon timeless truth.
Through becoming peaceful in ourselves we open the space for other to become peaceful, and we can only be truly peaceful within ourselves when we seek toward make the opportunity for peace available for all beings.
