Back to basics in a complicated world

It is a matter of great pride for India that the entire world celebrated June 21 as International Yoga Day. During his speech to the UN General Assembly in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon the quintessence of the Vedic philosophy — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (perceiving the world as a family). He referred to yoga as an invaluable gift of India, embodying “unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being and to discover the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and the nature”. 

Mr Modi suggested: “By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change”. The comity of nations subsequently passed a resolution in December last year backed by over 170 countries, to designate June 21 as  the International Yoga Day.The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali has been there for centuries, dealing with life holistically, endeavouring to answer the existential quest of human being. Patanjali’s yoga provides an insight to physiology, psychology, philosophy, metaphysics, art and science and techniques of yogic way of looking at life.

In 196 aphorisms forming the quintessence of ashtanga yoga, the sage reveals to the world the ancient wisdom. The Pancha Kosha Theory of Yoga empowers the individual to manage five important aspects of life: Choosing the right food, optimising energy levels, attaining mental health, sharpening intellect and elevating to the higher echelons of the joy of living. Ashtanga yoga through asanas, kriyas, bandanas, mudras, yama and niyama provides a holistic therapy for strengthening life's vital forces. 

Yoga, as a way of life, has been adopted, adapted and transformed over generations and practiced by all irrespective of religion, ethnicity, creed, race or terrain or geographical location. Yoga is beyond all politics and religion as it is a legacy of mankind to experience to the extent human being is prepared to tread along the disciplined yogic journey to attain kaivalyam or the ultimate realisation or bliss merging into the supreme consciousness of the cosmos. 

Yoga empowers the seeker to harmonise the body, mind and intellect for achieving the objectives set in life with absolute concentration, clarity and commitment. Yoga is all about union and being an integral part of the universe, leading a holistic life of blissful awareness in fine tune with environment and sustainable living. Nothing needs to be accepted unless one experiences and gets convinced about the benefits. Yoga provides the essential zest to go beyond the narrow, sectarian interpretations of life, religion, politics or nationality. Yoga is absolutely secular having no tone or colour intended for resolving life's myriad existential conflicts. 

The whole world has been practising yoga in different forms and styles applying for the specific needs of the people. Religious leaders vouchsafe that they have no problem with yoga as a physical exercise and as a way of life, because yoga has great benefits. Saluting the Sun god in Surya Namaskar need not be practised by all, though the yogic exercises are excellent for health (with vitamin D as bonus, ensured by sunlight). Music, chants, rites and mantras, tantras are not required, or chosen as one pleases, based on one's belief system and comfort level. 

When the world of today is getting increasingly insecure due to complex issues like international terrorism, global warming and over all deterioration in values, morality and ethics, it is right time for the world to brainstorm on yogic way of living and try to find some answers to the present day problems. Yoga is all about health, peace and harmony from individual to community to international level.