Tag: yoga

The question has been there forever.  What can I do to make the world a better place?  The answer is simple:  Human Revolution.
I first heard this term used as the title of a book by Daisaku Ikeda of the Soka Gokkai International.  This international Buddhist organization, with origins in Japan, use rapid mantra chant as their main tool of transformation. I joined the SGI in London and chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with intent for about a year and a half.  But, like everything organizational, I grew disillusioned with the, erm, organization, and took my search upon new roads.  Coming full circle twelve years later, I uplift myself with Sanskrit mantra, carrying on the transformation.
Like most of us, my teenage mind was inquiring and doubtful of the status quo.  I took to protesting, letter writing, boycotting, even some direct action-lite.  But, again, I grew disillusioned with the way that individual good intentions seemed to get lost when the masses convened.  Really, peaceful anarchist punks who seem to always been raising their fists?  No, thanks.
So, the question has been there for a long time.  But the answer took its time to coalesce.  Nowadays, I meditate upon the fact that only by beginning with ourselves can we change the world around us. Also, we need to be humble enough to recognize that we can’t change the whole world.  Too many youthful flowers turn into mid-20’s rot when, disillusioned, we give up entirely and sit upon our sofas, waiting for the end.
I think that what we need to learn is patience and humility.  Oh yes, and we have to have faith.  I have seen through personal experience that we really can begin to take change out of the personal realm and into the world when we integrate ourselves so completely as to become completely sincere and transparent.  It’s hard- I’m not patting my back here.  But I do know that what I transmit in my yoga classes, and in my life (I hope) is a sincere belief in the finer qualities of the human being.  When we begin to manifest our True Nature, our Purusha, we grow calm, compassionate and loving.  With those qualities, we share smiles when there are only frowns.  We hug warmly when there might otherwise be only a perfunctory “dos besos” (two kisses).  And, most importantly, we begin to share our selves, our wealth, open our homes to and generally offer and be prepared for true deep connection with others.  This is the Human Revolution:  we care for and prepare ourselves to be sane, reasonable, non-judging, generous and accepting.  With these qualities, we touch lives.  At no point are we on any pedestals, nor do we offer ourselves congratulations.  We just find the inner joy, radiate it.  That is the reward.
I really don’t know much.  But this I know:  The real revolution begins within.