Practicing Hatha Yoga Recognizing the Signs of Intolerance

One of the benefits of Yoga, and meditation, is clarity of mind. After practicing Yoga, the body and mind feel tranquility, which lowers stress levels and allows us to cultivate positive relationships at home, with friends, and at work.





It seems like a perfect solution to an imperfect world, but when you pick up a newspaper, listen to the radio, watch television, or turn on the Internet, you may wonder if spreading happiness is too large of a task for Yoga.

If you live in a democracy, any two seemingly reputable candidates work at destroying the opposition's credibility - to the point where you are left in confusion. Before they started talking, you were sure they were qualified for the job. After they finish vilifying each other, you may wonder if either of them is a competent leader.





When considering politics, religion, philosophy, or current events, it is wise to evaluate the underlying messages and hidden agendas. Does the communicator find logical, tolerant, and kind solutions, that will benefit the masses?





Be careful before answering; remember that Adolph Hitler had a message too. Through some crafty political maneuvering, he managed to become appointed as chancellor of Germany in January of 1933. In retrospect, his speeches should have given him away, but people easily fall into being turned into a mob.





Look back further in history. How many people were executed by religious fundamentalists? The uneducated will try to deny holocausts, witch hunts, pogroms, and atrocities in the name of holiness. There is nothing holy about intolerance, sexism, discrimination, injustice, or bigotry.





Although you may reach a tranquil state of mind through meditation and Yoga, be prepared to listen to, or read about, intolerance that exists almost everywhere. To clearly recognize the face of intolerance, at the onset, is to your advantage.





So, how can one Yoga practitioner make a stand against intolerance? Once again, we can change the world from within. Be careful not to spread intolerance with your words. If you have an unkind thought, try your best to let it go. Do not hold onto unjust thoughts and do not act upon them.





When we hold onto anger, we claim ownership of a grudge. It becomes part of us. If you want to lighten your burdens in life, learn to leave hate, intolerance, discrimination, injustice, or bigotry behind. In combination, these negative burdens have held humankind back for centuries.





As Yoga students, or teachers, we must be living examples of kindness, tolerance, fairness, and mindfulness. Happiness in our actions, thoughts, and words, is the Yogic path.





Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

yoga for kids: kids yoga mats

yoga for kids: kids yoga mat

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Jnana Yoga Finding the Truth

Jnana Yoga is often referred to as, "union by knowledge." Jnana is also known as, "the path of wisdom." A Jnana Yoga practitioner dedicates much time toward practice, research, and self-analysis. Traditionally, this method of Yoga was practiced by members of the Brahman (priest) caste.

The reason for this was based upon a prerequisite of education and general knowledge. If one has limited abilities to read, then primary education must be attained first. Add to this, the type of reading which one must perform - the absorption and sorting of facts from scriptures and educational books with reliable information.





To read reliable information is to expand the mind in a positive direction. To read misinformation leads one to "spout off" facts, which do not exist. Have you ever heard someone make an erroneous statement, based upon an "urban legend" Email? Most of this material is political, but misinformation happens in Yoga circles too.





We live at a time when many people have access to the Internet. Yet, how much of the information on the Internet is accurate? It might be wise to double check your facts before investing too much time in them. There are people who buy magazines or newspapers, which are full of slanderous journalism.





We used to call this form of writing, "yellow journalism." Apparently, it is quite profitable to create a tabloid full of unreliable misinformation and sensational stories, based upon fabrication. However, some people read the stories, and often repeat them as facts. You might think, "This has no impact on reality, and people have a right to entertainment, even if it is slanderous."





Consider this: These same people, who read misinformation and believe it, have just as much right to vote in the next election as you do. You may invest your time researching the facts, while someone else, with an equal vote, bases his or her decisions on misinformation. This is the information age, but it is also the misinformation age.





What are some "tell tale" signs of misinformation? When someone claims to be the guide to the only true path - watch out. This is a great strategy for creating an "us against them" mentality. Exclusive and elitist groups have misinformed humanity long before yellow journalism became popular.





As this applies to Yoga, politics, religion, philosophy and life itself - beware of speakers and authorities who seek to divide. The best path for humankind to take is paved with loving kindness. The words of an enlightened spiritual leader are based upon love, tolerance, mercy, charity, forgiveness, and compassion.





How can anyone take a message of kindness and turn it into a message of hate? Unfortunately, it has happened throughout history because people did not invest the time in education, research, and self-analysis. Jnana Yoga is the path of wisdom, but the truth can be felt in your heart. Ahimsa (non-harming) feels right, but to harm another, always feels wrong.





Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

yoga for kids: yoga instructor

yoga for kids: yoga instructor

Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com