As a human in the 21st century, I want to commend you for making it this far. This life is wildly hectic. It is beautiful yet tragic, and relentlessly bemusing. We are both blessed and cursed with a profound number of technological innovations each year.
We live longer lives, but the verdict is still out on whether we are actually living better lives. We each have access to more information than we can possibly absorb (much less put to use) in a single lifetime. Our political systems are inflammatory at best. And perhaps for the first time in history, we are able to understand the socio-political and environmental consequences of our daily choices and actions.
The result?
We are distracted. We are neither here nor there. We are like leaves blowing in a storm; unable to land in one place for more than a few seconds. And if we are unable to arrive in one place for any meaningful amount of time, then where are we?
Better yet, who are we?
Although we understand ourselves by our reflections from other people, no one can tell you who you are. The answer to that question is your life’s work. Fortunately, there are a great many tools available to you right now to help you arrive – to discover who you are,
where you are, and what genuinely brings meaning to your life. In this article, we are going to discuss how yoga is arguably one of the most accessible antidotes to our chaotic world, and how taking the time to learn and embody this ancient philosophy can dramatically transform your whole self.
What is Yoga Philosophy
For most of us, when we think of yoga, we are picturing asana – the physical practice of yoga. Asana (as we know it) has only been around for a few hundred years. The philosophy of yoga, however, dates back over 5,000 years. Although it has close connections with both Hinduism and Buddhism, yoga is not a religion but really a philosophy – a path to understanding yourself and the world around you.
While there are numerous texts (such as the Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, or the Upanishads) where you can dive deep into yogic teachings, we might summarize yoga philosophy as having three main pillars: Unity/Oneness, Mindfulness, and Self-Realization.
Unity or Oneness
The heart of yoga philosophy asserts that everything in the universe and beyond is interconnected. This profound interconnectedness is often referred to as “oneness” or “unity.” It reminds us that we are not isolated beings but integral parts of a vast, interwoven tapestry of existence.
Consider for a moment your connection to a tree. You breathe in the oxygen it releases, and it in turn captures the carbon dioxide that you release to create energy. Likewise, if you eat the fruit from that tree, a part of the tree becomes you within a matter of hours.
Recognizing this interconnectedness fosters empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards all living beings and the planet itself. It encourages us to live in harmony with nature and each other, promoting a more peaceful and sustainable world.
Mindfulness
And if we can understand that all things are interconnected then we are further encouraged to be present in the here and now; to observe our thoughts and sensations without judgment, and to cultivate awareness of both our inner and outer worlds. This is what we call mindfulness and it helps us break free from the cycle of rumination and worry, allowing us to appreciate life as it unfolds. It teaches us that true contentment can only be found by embracing the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
In other words, as we become more mindful of both ourselves, our actions, and the world around us, we naturally arrive in the present moment more often. And as we arrive in the present moment more, our ability to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and enhance our overall mental well-being is strengthened. We become more resilient to the waves of chaos that get thrown our way.
Self-Realization
This then leads us to the core of yoga philosophy: the journey of self-discovery and self-realization. Yoga invites us to explore the depths of our own consciousness, uncover our true nature, and transcend the limitations of our egos.
Self-realization is a process that allows us to understand our desires, fears, and attachments. Once we become aware of these things, we then have the opportunity to break free from their grip and experience a sense of inner freedom and fulfillment.
In our capitalist world, self realization is an act of rebellion. It is a conscious freeing of yourself from the endless distractions we experience each day. This is yoga, and it is a
path to now and therefore also a path forward – one that gives you more autonomy over your life. It provides tools to navigate the challenges of this postmodern world with greater resilience and equanimity. And it enables us to live a more authentic and purposeful life, aligned with our deepest values and aspirations.
So whether you are new to yoga, or have been practicing asana for years, by recognizing the unity of all existence, embracing mindfulness as a way of being each day, and embarking on a journey of self-realization, you can experience a profound transformation in your well-being and relationship with the world.
