Yoga & Modern Lives

As the world moves through new levels of consciousness, the word "yoga" makes its appearance in our lives more often . It is interesting to see how philosophies and practices as old as 5 millennia are still called "modern" and still travelling from the East to the West.

This renewed interest in yoga practices might be a phenomenon driven by the desire of a good portion of the Earth's population actively trying to understand the meaning of life in our planet.

Worldwide an upsurge of this kind of intentions makes the historic moment we are living a very special one. We should all celebrate for this, honestly.

However, it is also true that we witness at the same time, the atrocity of wars, abuse and violation of human rights as they spread worldwide like a virus, I believe there is still hope in our future. There are still people who believe in a progress that can merge ancient and eternal wisdom with modern technology. Teachings rooted in old practices that have been tested by time and endured across the millennia can find their place in our modern and technological upbringing. The presence of one doesn't invalidate the other, rather reinforces the possibilities for our growth, anche chances to heal the planet.

There are people, apparently an increasing number, who believe that somehow old teachings can be incorporated in our modern world in order to turn the world into a more inclusive and peaceful place where to live. This is epic!

Unfortunately few people think like (this so far), but numbers are growing, and I have faith in the future. Mankind is not stupid, has never been, and never will be, mankind is the highest representation of intelligence in our planet. Mankind needs to understand the power of love and people are not put in a condition to understand it because their very existence and safety is threaten. As everything is this life, we deal with priorities, consciously and unconsciously, the same as our body does, the same as Nature does.

This leads us to consider a singular characteristic of our human nature which we have learned to ignore over the years: the individual power of choices that is within every one of us.

We have forgotten that we can take an individual action in order to rise above pain and suffering affecting the collective soul. Deep down we know we can rise above that pain and some of us might feel called to do something about it. I personally took the courage to write this difficult piece. But we all got to do something based on what our conditions allow. I believe this "something" to be like setting up a new terrain that won't allow for pain and suffering to spread like wild fire in our families and societies.

A yoga practice, rooted in wisdom and the ancient teachings (not the yoga we see in a sterile marketing context - merely pointing at financial goals), can help us not to despair in front of the complex reality we are living in.

A reality in part marked by the darkest aspects of the human nature is displayed at the same time on an individual level (our emotions) and in our society at large (what we see that doesn't work in society). This is because we are not separate entities.

The key aspect to grasp, unfortunately the less talked about, is that those dark aspects of the human nature need to be seen as opportunities on an individual level first in order to promote change on a larger scale. You can use those opportunities to be happier in your life and as a reflection the collective soul would start to heal.

The reason behind this concept is that you life is very much important, essential, I would say, in the wider scheme of things. The fact that you are needed on a individual level to contribute on a larger scale, by doing the work that heals your soul, simply confirms that you, your hopes and dreams do have a reason to exist, in fact they are what's needed for the progress of all beings. Your happiness is not negotiable and does not have to necessarily come from suffering and hardships.

You and I have the power to change, and that power has always been ours and can't be taken away. A society that does not encourage you to believe that you are precious, essential, needed like the air we breathe, that your desires to make this world a better place are of vital importance, that what you do on a daily basis with your work is blessed by the heavens when carried out with your best intentions at heart, is a society that needs to grow. It is as simple as that on a conceptual level.

But growth is never comfortable, the process is usually very complex when actualised. It's a hard truth to digest, perhaps one of the hardest of all.

That change that we all wish to see, but never act upon, won't find its way to get to us as quickly as we hoped for. That change starts with you and with your daily actions, it does not start in the outside world.

A manifestation of something new does not come from what's already manifested (the society we see), but from the emptiness, despair, caos, abandonment, that we are called to see in ourselves. It comes from the shadows of our past, both in our personal and societal history, If we ignore this, we are simply fooling ourselves.

On the other hand, if we start to do the work within ourselves both our past and collective history will slowly get illuminated by a new light, it gets filled with hope, love and compassion and ultimately that path will lead us to change for the better.

Compassion and Love are qualities embedded in our human nature and are our most powerful resources. It is up to us to choose how, when and where we want to use them.

Here is a practical application of yogic principles that at times might seem alien: If you want to see a kinder world, be kinder to yourself and the people around you. If you want to see more peace, stop fighting with your emotions and practice compassion. If you want to be seen and appreciated by others, start by appreciating yourself and others, by honouring your values and loving your eternal soul. This will lead you to embrace the magic that lies within you, the same magic will also be reflected back to society at large in some ways.

When you have put yourself in a condition to appreciate the reflection of your actions in society, like people being nicer to you, smiling at you, or encouraging you, or be willing to help you how best they can, you start to experience true union with the universe.

In that place, in union (which is the meaning of the word "yoga") there is no room for disempowered actions and false hopes when it comes to imagining a better and equal future for us all. This is what I have personally learned through my yoga practice and life experiences.

Now back to our modern world. Back to reality check!

There are still far too many people, selling at all costs ideals which are so far away from the truth, to the point that we are called to witness the disasters caused by them.

A yoga practice can help you use a powerful trick: to unmask these situations. It can help you with reading clearly what's going on and moving on with ease without being entangled in the drama caused by, let's say, less self-aware people.

Remember that there is not a greater fool than the one who is trying at all costs to fool himself/herself.

This is what I have also learned through my experience: "don't be scared, enraged, or heated up by people who do not shine, they are just another mean life is using to test how passionate you are about your growth, how badly you want it".

People who do not shine are pessimistic, envy, competitive on a negative tone, dark, mysterious, they feel superior, they talk at your back and embody many other features that I believe are very well known to you.

Remember that for them it's hard to say the truth, some will never find the courage to be open and transparent with themselves, they can't find the courage to make their choices, to act in freedom and as a consequence they operate and travel on the lower frequencies of life.

It also helps tremendously reminding us all that the universe wants us to be happy. There is only happiness to be found in the end, nothing else.

So be brave, fight for your dreams and don't be afraid to get wounded along the way. Those wounds will be healed with time, love heals them and it's all going to be worth it.

I hope you can take away comfort from these lines alongside the strength to raise above your pain and discomfort knowing it's all going to be temporary. Only the purest joy in our heart is going to be ever-lasting. Everything else is time-bounded, finite, with a beginning and an end. Pure joy is unbounded, infinite and without end. Pure joy for me is linked with many things, and freedom would certainly take a centre stage in defining it.