In the wake of yet another tragic event, I find myself compelled to address the pervasive violence saturating our society—a violence that often goes unacknowledged amidst the chaos of daily life. It's disheartening to witness the normalization of such atrocities, whether due to their frequency or their targeting of marginalized communities, as was the case with the recent Orlando shooting. This all-encompassing violence demands our introspection, particularly when viewed through the lens of yoga, which inherently advocates for unity and activism.
Yoga means “to yoke” or “to unite”—to know oneself as one with all that is. Yoga practices are a means to overcome (avidya), the ignorance that distorts one’s perception of oneself and others. Using asana as a method to attain Self-realization or enlightenment means exploring the true, practical, physical meaning of the term asana as “our relationship to the Earth”—that is, to other humans, animals, plants, things, the planet itself and all of manifestation. What could be more physical than what we eat, where we live and who we live with?
Sharon Gannon
Personally, it takes me a few days to absorb tragic events and feel them deeply. My first instinct is always of anger- it's my go to. It's so easy to feel angry! Especially in this crazy, cruel and unjust society... but I have done enough self study to know that it is not the path I want to take or embody. Anger only generates more anger and it's the same for hate. To transform hate, pain and anger into compassion and love is a much more beneficial approach, a life-altering one on a personal level, and on a social level it is truly revolutionary and the only way-in my opinion-to create everlasting change.
“Hatred cannot be stopped by hatred. Violence should not be responded to with violence. The only way out of violence and conflict is for us to embrace the practice of peace, to think and act with
compassion, love, and understanding.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
It's disheartening to observe the immediate polarization on social media following such tragedies. Rather than fostering compassion and collective healing, discussions often devolve into divisive debates on gun control, terrorism, and other binary viewpoints. From a yogic perspective, transcending these dualities is essential for fostering unity and understanding.
The issue of gun control in the United States remains a glaring concern, with an alarming frequency of mass shootings that continues unabated. However, the underlying problem extends beyond mere legislative measures—it's indicative of a deeper societal malaise rooted in violence and inequality.
The United States faces deep-seated social and educational challenges that demand systematic attention. While Switzerland has widespread gun ownership with low shooting rates, the US grapples with pervasive violence, stemming from its history of genocide and ongoing issues with patriarchy. Violence permeates our society, from the streets to our media and institutions. Law enforcement officers, instead of protecting citizens, are responsible for hundreds of unjust killings, disproportionately targeting black men. Rape cases soar, with perpetrators often escaping justice. More than 4 million women experience physical assault and rape by their partners. Roughly 4,000 women die each year due to domestic violence. These alarming statistics, coupled with the staggering frequency of mass shootings ( in the last 1,260 days there have been 1000), demand urgent action.
"We can’t help but to be political. Everything each of us does as individuals affects the whole. The word politic refers to the greater body or the community in which one lives. To be politically active is to be conscious of how your actions affect the community and to strive to improve and contribute to the enhancement of that community. Yoga teaches that we have an individual body and a universal body, and when we perceive and care for both equally—when we try to see ourselves in others—then we are moving toward the enlightened state. Everything we see in the world around us is nothing more than a projection of what is inside of us, so If we don’t like something that we see happening in the world, as yogis we know that the only way to create lasting change is to root it out in ourselves."
Sharon Gannon
Violence permeates our society, often overlooked and even sanctioned under the guise of protection. From torture in military interrogations to beatings in prisons, from gang violence on the streets to domestic abuse behind closed doors, the manifestations of violence are manifold and insidious. Yet, these are just the visible facets of a much larger issue.
The United States, wielding its power on the global stage, has sown seeds of violence and destruction across the world for decades. From wars and assassinations to economic warfare and environmental devastation, the impact of US policies reverberates far beyond its borders. Naomi Klein's 'The Shock Doctrine' offers a sobering account of this legacy, revealing a history marred by exploitation and aggression. Moreover, our treatment of animals reflects a callous disregard for life and wellbeing. Factory farming, responsible for over 99 percent of all farmed animals in the US, is not only a source of immense suffering but also a major contributor to environmental degradation. The violence inherent in our agricultural practices extends beyond the treatment of animals to the broader ecosystem, perpetuating a cycle of harm. In short, the normalization of violence in our society—from the personal to the geopolitical—underscores the urgent need for systemic change.
“Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”
Albert Schweitzer
"Whatever spiritual practice we are engaged in, it must address the environmental issues that our planet faces, or else our practice is irrelevant. The yogi strives to live in harmony with nature and to perceive all of life as imbued with consciousness. A yogi does not see him- or herself as living in the world, but rather sees the world as his or her own expanded self: the Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth. What is realized in the enlightened state is the interconnectedness of all. It is our job to nurture and protect the Earth, as she is our own greater body; what we do to her we do to ourselves, and without her we have no physical existence."
Sharon Gannon
Beyond the visible layers of violence lie darker, often unseen realms of suffering. Sweatshop workers, predominantly women and children, toil for mere dollars a week in hazardous conditions, facing the constant threat of disease and death. Meanwhile, illegal miners, victims of human trafficking, and individuals trapped in prostitution endure lives of exploitation and misery. These "invisibles" perform the thankless tasks that fuel our comfortable lifestyles in the West, while bearing the brunt of inequality and injustice.
In this pervasive cycle of violence and hate, the path forward seems obscured by darkness. Yet, acknowledging these hidden forms of suffering is the first step towards change. We must confront the systems of oppression and exploitation that perpetuate this cycle, advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their visibility in society. Only through collective action and solidarity can we begin to dismantle the structures of violence and build a more just and compassionate world.
"The liberation of the earth, the liberation of women, the liberation of all humanity is the next step of freedom we need to work for, and it's the next step of peace that we need to create."
Vandana Shiva
I advocate for critical thinking and embracing the complexity of our interconnected systems, recognizing our individual roles within them. Evolving means transforming pain into compassion and hate into love. We're all complicit in perpetuating systems of harm, whether consciously or not. Understanding this through the lens of yoga empowered me to take action rather than succumb to despair.
Blaming politicians, governments, or terrorists won't enact change; it requires personal responsibility and daily efforts to create a more just society. This yogic path demands self-reflection, discipline, and humility to acknowledge our own shortcomings. When I started understanding this interconnectedness through the path of yoga, instead of feeling even more depressed and outraged I started feeling truly empowered. It's about actively living our values and leading by example, not just paying lip service. Let's embody our beliefs and strive for progress through tangible actions, not just words.
"If you tolerate everything you shall go wrong, because your values go wrong, The mighty must not destroy the poor. You don't tolerate this. It is tolerance that you do not tolerate injustice."
Buru Bhajan
My meditation teacher once likened us to vessels, each with different capacities. Through practices like meditation and yoga, we expand our capacity to hold worldly pain and sensitivity, delving deeper into our empathy. It's a challenging journey, requiring years of dedication. Today, amidst a world rife with suffering and violence, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and numb. Our society, driven by greed and power, seems increasingly reckless. Tragedies occur daily, yet some receive disproportionate attention while others are swiftly forgotten. Despite this chaos, the image of the detached monk is a myth. Yogis become more attuned, holding more pain as they deepen their sense of union. Yoga is activism; it's about selflessly working for change and fostering love and compassion. Bhakti Yoga, a traditional path, is dedicated to this pursuit of interconnectedness and healing entirely through devotion and love.
"I ask every man who would seek peace to realize that peace doesn’t come by protests and rallies. Peace comes by peaceful actions, and so long as those born of the mother will not learn to respect the woman, there shall not be any peace on this planet. The day the woman will not be exploited on this planet,
there shall be peace on this Earth"
Guru Bhajan
Starting with the most transformative and revolutionary concept, let's understand that all layers of violence perpetuate more violence. We can't hide behind the notion of being different or thinking "it could never be me." That only feeds into a sense of entitlement and superiority. Distancing ourselves from atrocities doesn't lead to change; it just boosts our ego. As Thich Nhat Hanh wisely said, "Once you begin to realize your interconnectedness with others, your interbeing, you begin to see how your actions affect you and all other life. You begin to question your way of living, to look with new eyes at the quality of your relationships and the way you work." Even if you consider yourself non-violent, it's crucial to acknowledge the ways in which we contribute to violence, both directly and indirectly, multiple times a day. This realization should empower us to take more responsibility and action, as each of us has the capacity to make meaningful changes every day.
"Concentration on every activity — walking, breathing, eating, everything. He says this mindfulness leads to understanding the roots of suffering, which encourages compassion that can dissolve anger"
"There are ways to transform and to reduce the amount of suffering in our families, in our schools. We, as practitioners of transformation and healing, we know how to do it, how to reduce the level of violence."
Thich Nhat Hanh
Ideas to put into practice! Start by...
Notice, your many negative thoughts and the ways in which you are violent towards yourself. When our thoughts contain negative responses like disappointment, resentment, or guilt, when we feel shame, we are subtly creating violence. For instance, when we resent others, we emanate negative energy in the atmosphere.
Try to speak and communicate more kindly. Scream less and use less aggressive body language. Be mindful about the terminology you use in general.
Stop or decrease your meat and meat products consumption which perpetuates animal slavery, violence, murder and creates incredible amounts of pollution, contamination and waste. Shop at farmer's markets and buy mostly vegetables which are local and organic. Watch out for excessive packaging. Solely eating consists of 3 conscious and political choices per day, a reason to rejoice!
Notice the materials you purchase, consume and the waste you generate.
Minimize waste and recycle as much as possible. Reuse materials. Prioritize biodegradable ones.
Don't buy water, there is free water everywhere in the West, we are so privileged!
Use natural and sustainable cleaning products and fertilizers. Nothing disappears... what goes down your drain ends up in your sea.
Minimize eating out which is a wasteful industry and makes the source of food hard to track.
Decrease travelling. Your plane rides have an ecological footprint too. You could choose a train next time! Or opt for less is more. Don't drive everywhere. Take public transportation, bike or walk instead.
Become more attentive to the clothes you buy, where the materials come from and who has made them. If that's all impossible to figure out don't buy it! There is endless cruelty in the fashion industry and in all industries that create consumer goods. Fair trade items are a choice, as are locally sourced, organic materials. And buy less!
Put an end to watching violent movies and TV, and to reading violent literature.
Cease listening to music that uses violent, aggressive and derogatory language against women. It only creates permissiveness and tolerance towards mistreating women.
Evaluate your job. Do the hours and hours spent every day trying to get by make you happy and contribute somehow to social change, to creating a world you'd want to live in?
Turn off your AC, buy a fan instead and reduce the heat you use during the winter. Heating and cooling have a huge impact on the environment. It's extremely normal to sweat a little in the summer and wear a sweater in wintertime!
Fight to protect women and children and when you witness something you don't like- it could be a word or an action- don't ignore it just because everyone else is, speak up. Educate, vote, sign petitions, volunteer, demonstrate, communicate, share your opinions and knowledge peacefully with everyone you meet. Don't be shy and don't be dissuaded by a society that labels you as too passionate! This is the reality. The world is crazy, certainly not you for being sensitive to it and wanting to create change, to live differently, to heal and to question all the wrongs we're so easily fed from birth to death.
Work on daily transforming yourself. There are many ways to achieve this. I'll mention a few: meditation, yoga, healing practices, knowledge and study, walking in nature, practicing mindfulness, chanting and opening the heart, introspection, service to others...
“If you do not know how to take care of yourself, and the violence in you, then you will not
be able to take care of others."
Thich Nhat Hanh
In Yoga, embracing Ahimsa, or non-violence, is key to living ethically and morally. It's one of the five yamas outlined in the 'Yoga Sutras' by Patanjali, offering guidelines for yogic living. Ahimsa extends beyond physical actions to encompass mental and emotional aspects, rooted in honest compassion and genuine love. To practice Ahimsa, cultivate deep love within yourself and others, acknowledging and embracing all aspects of yourself. Incorporate Ahimsa into daily life through various strategies, prioritizing self-love and approaching change with kindness and love as the driving force.
Furthermore, we must recognize the profound impact our thoughts have on our well-being. While exercise and nutrition are crucial, negative thinking can trigger stress responses in the body, even in the absence of external threats. Yin practices like restorative yoga, meditation, and yoga nidra are vital in balancing the excessive Yang energy prevalent in today's society, promoting the 'Rest & Digest' response for holistic healing. Our modern culture emphasizes action, achievement, and accumulation, often neglecting qualities like surrendering and simply being. By prioritizing inner balance and healing, we lay the foundation for genuine, sustainable change in ourselves and the world.
"True ahimsa should mean a complete freedom from ill-will, anger, and hate and
an overflowing love for all."
Mahatma Gandhi
Amidst worldly tragedies like mass shootings, our inner turmoil of suffering and anger can be transformed through the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence. By observing these emotions without reacting impulsively, we can release them and attain a sense of peace and wholeness—a higher consciousness. True hope arises when we lead by example, letting go of expectations, societal norms, and violent thoughts. Ahimsa extends beyond actions—it permeates our diet, thoughts, reactions to injustice, and interactions with others.
Embracing non-violence in all aspects of life aligns us with the world, fostering inner clarity and positive impact on our surroundings, from loved ones to the global community and nature. As spiritual warriors, it's our duty to combat ignorance (avidya), striving for bravery, ethics, discipline, and compassion. By transforming hate into love, we can contribute to lasting global change during our brief permanence here on Earth.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi