Dr Bharti Chhibber
As we recently celebrated the Sixth International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2020, we realise that yoga and its benefits are universal and are not confined to any particular area or people. However, as we are from the land of yoga, I recall the famous words of Gandhi, the world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.
Nature has always been very vibrant and resilient. As an ancient civilisation, India takes pride in its strong cultural heritage. Culture protect and nurture nature. We worship sun, wind, land, trees, plants, and water which is the very basis of human survival. Similarly, conservation of wildlife is also part of our cultural ethos. Various ancient texts written in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages like the scripture Vishnu Samhit in Sanskrit language contain instructions for biodiversity conservation.
However, owing to unsustainable development activities of mankind, rapid urbanization, over-population and deforestation, wildlife and wildlife habitats are increasingly endangered. Global warming and pollution pose serious threats to flora and fauna. Likewise, acidic rain is destroying animal and plant ecosystems. Many animal and plant species are already on the verge of extinction. Now, it has become critical that we restore this balance and mitigate environmental consequences of unsustainable development.
Yoga is a way of life. It teaches us to be content and care for nature instead of materialistic world of concreate jungle. It makes us one with nature, one with ecosystem and we become conscious of our surroundings. It makes us appreciate and feel thankful to the environment, water bodies and all living species including animals and plants. It inspires us to inculcate respect for humanity.
Yoga as a discipline implies ethical principles which become a part of day to day life of a practitioner. One of these principles is ahimsa or non-violence. People who feel empowered through the practice of yoga are more likely to adjust their behaviour to help the fellow beings and the environment. More and more yoga practitioners are following a satvic diet and becoming vegetarian. This is the process of Swadhyaya where one self-analyses creating deeper understanding of our nature.
When one practice yoga, positive physical and mental changes occur in a very subtle way. Swami Vivekananda also mentioned about the significance of life-style and consumption patterns for affirmative living. Yoga help us in letting go of our attachments. With the detachment from the material world, we become aware of the air we breathe, water we drink, and beauty of the nature like chirping of the birds. Yoga teaches us that we are all connected and we should be mindful of our actions. So, next time, keeping environment in mind instead of buying latest gadgets at the drop of a hat, a practitioner is more inclined to use reusable and recycled products as our discarded e-waste may end up in landfills leading to leachate ultimately polluting the soil and nearby water bodies.
People who practice yoga are more likely to make healthier decisions in their lives. Yoga reduces dependence on medicine, cure anxiety and depression. Especially during the present difficult times when the whole world is facing the pandemic crises, yoga can contribute to our well-being as it enhances our immune systems and bring peace.
There are various forms of yoga which are different vehicles towards enlightenment. One of them is the Mantra japa which is beneficial for spiritual growth. The Aum, symbolises Shakti or divine energy as manifestation of creation, preservation, and liberation. Last year to commemorate the International Day of Yoga on 21 June, the United Nations’ officials and diplomats joined in the chanting of the Aum in the UN General Assembly hall. The Aum chanting cleanses internal and external environment creating positive vibrations and the Vedic science corroborates it.
The Yoga Mudra also has scientifically proven benefits. Based on the five elements or the tatva that humans and nature are made up of i.e. Fire, Air, Space, Earth & Water, the Yoga mudra is the symbolic hand gesture to redirect energy. A balanced state of these five elements will result in efficient working of physical and intellectual capacities. What one feels inside resonates outside. One become selfless from being selfish and more inclined towards walking and tree plantation, thus reducing one’s carbon footprint.
The Bhagavad Gita composed of 700 verses as part of the Bhishma Parva from the epic text the Mahabharata highlights the different kinds of Yoga as Arjuna seeks Shri Krishna’s guidance in the battlefield. The yoga connects the jivatama with the parmatama. In these diverse forms of yoga with an ultimate aim of spiritual awareness, Karma yoga means fulfilment of one’s duty; Gyana yoga focuses on knowledge and Bhakti yoga emphasises on the power of devotion. We can relate these forms of yoga to our duty, understanding and commitment to the conservation of the natural resources. Likewise, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali comprising of 196 Sanskrit sutras on the theory and practice of yoga in the form of the Ashtanga Yoga lay emphasis on niyamas, contentment and Pranayama.
In the final, yoga is an in depth and vast discipline which motivates us to be content and full of gratitude for nature. Yoga is both an inward and an outward journey manifested in the form of love and respect for nature. A practitioner makes conscious effort to change. As a way of life, yoga promotes healthy living. Through yoga one realizes that it is our duty and responsibility to take care of the environment upon which we depend for our survival. Hence, yoga teaches us the holistic view of the world and inspire us to live in complete harmony with self and the nature. So, keep practising yoga. Stay Safe! Stay healthy!
(The author is an academic, political analyst and an environmentalist. She is teaching Political Science in the University of Delhi)
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