By
Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
My
grandfather used to say: If you want to cheer up, take a break from watching
the news. In those days, television had two channels to watch and both of them
carried the news at the same time.
However, he did succeed in getting us to play outside. Nevertheless, the news is often filled with
shamefully violent tales.
Ancient
Vedic scriptures tell us that the world is our family. Great teachers and
philosophers still agree, and some scientists admit there is evidence to
support the claim. Why then is the world filled with such animosity and strife?
What can we do about it? Great teachings share central themes of compassion,
love, and connection, but we can't seem to agree on how to achieve these goals.
In fact, the controversy often leads to animosity and violence. Are our
intentions so different from those with whom we disagree, or do we see new
ideas as threats to our own belief systems?
Yoga
science provides a comprehensive path to changing the things we can and making
peace with those we cannot. Through breathing, poses, and meditation, we learn
to accept our limitations and care for our spiritual, emotional and physical
needs. When we know who we are, we become more tolerant of others. When we
become more tolerant of others, our lives become more peaceful. When our lives
collectively become more peaceful, so do our community, our country, and our
world.
Research
shows that groups of people with positive intentions can produce states of
coherence that increase compassion, reduce violence and create feelings of
oneness. The Global Coherence Initiative, using sensors to measure the effect
of widespread emotions on the earth's magnetic field, found that empathy and
compassion increased globally after the 9/11 tragedy. The organization now
coordinates events that allow participants to join together in an effort to
promote world peace.
A
recent news story shows how we are all connected. Lawrence Anthony, known as
the elephant whisperer and recognized for saving large numbers of the animals
in Thula Thula (a private game reserve in Zululand), died unexpectedly at the
age of 61. After his death, two herds of elephants formed a procession that
came from miles away to pay their respects to the man they loved.
If
animals have the awareness and empathy to honor their protector, imagine what
we could accomplish. As anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt
that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has.”
© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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