‘Yoga for Humanity’ was the apt theme that was declared for International Yoga Day 2022. With everything going on in the world, the need for peace and love towards our community, country and world is all the more necessary. But what is Yoga for Humanity? How does one define it and how does Yoga help you practice it?
The word Humanity on its own is defined as being benevolent, kind, compassionate and cooperative to other humans around us. It requires us to partake in others' ordeal and help them come out of it. It is, in fact, one of the main differentiable features of humans and has played a role in humans becoming the largest population of primates and dominating the planet. Sadly, in our current day, we seem to be losing this sense of humanity. Collectively, the world is becoming more self-centric. Many factors have played an influential role. Social media, for one, has only made this divide wider and many who use social media are facing alienation from real people and the real world.
Yoga is a practice that helps individuals overcome worldly pain and suffering. While this is a known fact, can yoga help instill humanity in humans? Yes, Yoga can. In fact, it is one of the best ways to instill humanity. It is a powerful tool for individuals, communities and countries to improve not only physical but also mental health. It first works towards harmonizing the interactions with everything and everybody around us and only then proceeds to tackle the inner chaos. So we can find enough in yoga to work on improving humane features within us. At the same time, the practice can become a boon to the entire humanity in painting good physical, mental and social health.
At the International Yoga Day event in Mysore, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that yoga brings peace for us. The peace from yoga is not only to individuals, but peace to our society, nation, the world and the universe. In saying this, PM Modi quoted the Sages to explain that while it is an extreme thought, it is a simple mantra - the whole universe starts from our body and soul. The universe starts from within us, and yoga is a practice that makes us conscious and self-aware of everything within us. He said, “When we become aware of ourselves and the world, we begin to spot the things that need to be changed within us and in the world.” They may be personal concerns or global concerns, but it starts with being aware. Yoga is not limited to an individual, but is for humanity.
3 Principles of Yoga for Humanity
- Practice of Yamas
- Thinning of Klesha
- Transcending of Rajo and Tamo Gunas
Yamas
Yamas are the first anga in the practice of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga - the eight limbs yoga. Yamas are like a guidebook for social norms or behavior in society. Yamas are considered as very important and if practiced with sincerity can become a great austerity practice, known as ‘Mahavrat’. It is very clear from a cursory glance of the five yamas that these are meant to establish harmony in a perfect sense. Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (trut), Astheya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (restraint) and Aparigragha (non-possessiveness) are all directed at improving our social interaction. Ahimsa being the first of the yama has special significance and goes a long way in being humane, and promoting humanity. If we simply start with Ahimsa and practice non-violence in thought, speech and action, we will begin to see a difference. The Yoga Sutras say when we practice these five yamas strictly without any socially established excuses, we bring out super human qualities in us.
Kleshas
Why are we losing out on humanity? What are the root causes? The five afflictions (5 Kleshas) of Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (ego), Raga (attachment), Dwesha (aversion) and Abhinivesha (fear of death) are the root cause of losing humanity. These afflictions make us self centric and egotistical, and invariably hurt others. Majority of us are all about ourselves. This inflicts pain, suffering and chaos. We believe it is all about our mind, our body and ourselves. We define ourselves and our success with size, shape and color, our bank accounts, careers, roles and positions, relationships, our popularity, followers and friends on social media. We have a false identification of all these external factors that we believe determine stature in society. That makes us greedy for more.
Thus, following the yamas, and along with that working on the kleshas will help. Reducing these kleshas, especially Avidya, the first of the Kleshas is an important step in the journey of reducing insecurity and inducing peace. The practice of kriya yoga is recommended to work on the kleshas. When we practice this, the insecurities, attachments and dislike of people and things around us reduces. It then induces a sense of harmony, balance, peace and kindness towards others.
Gunas
Gunas are qualitative division of the mind within each individual. There are of three gunas - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Each quality has distinct characteristics which determine behavior, mood, diet, health and lifestyle. The Sattva guna is the most compassionate, kind, peaceful and balanced one and hence a desired guna. The Rajo and Tamo guna are root causes of kleshas and also of inhumane behavior, hence need to control them and should never be allowed to dominance of actions and thoughts. The lack of knowledge, compassion, sensitivity makes Rajas and Tamasic gunas responsible for physical, psychological and social shortcomings. The practice of Ashtanga yoga is the way to control Rajasic and Tamasic guna and grow the Sattvic guna.
Yoga for health and well-being
Furthermore, Yoga has an immense impact on health and well-being. It is one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress, balance emotions and social well-being. When it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, it makes one more balanced and mindful. The increased sense of consciousness plays a role in ensuring ‘thinking before speaking’. There is a reduction in impulse reactions, reducing misunderstandings, arguments and outcries. One must remember, ‘Health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but rather a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being’ (expressed in WHO’s constitution).
Among all yoga practices, meditation is a powerful practice that can change the way one thinks and behaves. It takes us from the outer world, to the inner world, allowing us to navigate external chaos to internal chaos. It makes us mindful, controlling our reactions. Over time, we let go of reacting with anger, pain, frustration, etc. which is what leads us to suffering. It helps us see what is happening and react mindfully. Simply starting with observing the breath for a few minutes and slowly progressing is helpful. Other practices like yoga postures and breathwork induce a heightened sense of awareness, balance and harmony.
Conclusion
Yoga for Humanity is healing our own minds, bodies and spirits, while giving back to the community. It is a call to action to all yogis', studio owners, schools and teachers, organizations, workplaces, communities, gurus and students to use the healing benefits of yoga to empower, inspire and give back to others. Together, let us unite ancient wisdom with modern science, for a healthier, happier and a stress-free future for all of humanity.
