Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi once said, "We must be the change we wish to see." What are the deeper implications and universal meanings of these words? You could spend years analyzing the words of Mahatma Gandhi. In a Yoga class, he is often mentioned as the "shining example" of a Karma Yogi.
Now let's reflect on his inspiring words and apply them to the present. We live at a time when change must be accepted, but some of us resist change, even in the face of disaster.
As one example: Look at the lack of human action, with the inevitable consequences of global warming right in our path. We cannot leave the responsibility of changing our planet up to governments, corporate empires, or somebody else.
Global warming, tolerance, poverty, world peace, and hunger concern all of us, but we have to focus on these issues at the "grass roots" level, for change to happen. One person alone cannot make a significant impact on these problems, but a collective human intelligence, in the form of a charitable organization, can make huge progress.
Therefore, seek out a charity, which contributes to the benefit of humanity, animals, or the planet. You do not have to give money, when you have none, but you can volunteer your services. When it comes to giving to charity, you give only what you can realistically afford to share.
Some people say, "I will give some day, when I have enough money." This is a conditional relationship toward humanity. Imagine placing this condition on friendship: "I will be your friend, but you must make the first move." If all of us thought this way, we would have no friends, and it would be a very hostile world.
Luckily, most people are inherently good, but cruelty always makes the headlines of newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet. Be careful not to be swept up in a polarization of issues, when you watch the news. Life is not so clear that we can define it simply as a struggle between good and evil.
Sometimes, good people fight each other on the battlefield, because they have been polarized into a conflict based on an idea, philosophy, or dogma, which defines the other side as less than human or inferior.
When you listen to a story about a conflict of any kind, do not be in a hurry to judge, pick sides, or jump to conclusions. When you choose a charity, to help or support, make sure it does contribute to the common good of humanity.
One of the changes we wish to see is a better world for our children and grandchildren. Yoga, and Yoga meditation, develop steadiness of mind, which will result in seeing clearly under stressful conditions.
Perhaps, the knowledge of Yoga, the positive results it brings, and its growth, on a global scale, is the most important change we have seen because Yoga can create a better world for our descendants.
Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
A life begins; an aware being has been born. Limited physically only by his genetic code the infants mind is a completely open vessel. As months pass the child becomes more aware of itself; its conscious mind begins to learn via observation. By the time the child learns to talk its mind has already become molded. Molded by the words he has heard, the actions of the people around him and his family's ideas of right and wrong. School has yet to begin and the child is already full of preconceived notions.
School starts and the "formal" learning begins. In the first day of school the child must learn to exist in a dynamic different from his home life. People are different; there are things to be learned. Albeit elementary school isn't very heavy on the three R's but it sets up the future for the child and how he is going to learn. Just like education systems, religions and corporations know that if you want your message or idea to stick, you have to get them when they're young.
So life looked at in this way begins to look more like a process, a process of learning; a process of being educated. Sadly, this wonderful tool, the ability to remember what you have been taught, is the reason why our global society has yet to find peace as a whole. It is because of education, or lack there of, that wars are fought. People die because of the way they are educated. Their education creates their beliefs, their beliefs create their actions.
Education is a wonderful tool, yet what is being taught does not always support the further evolution of humanity as a whole. Our governments aren't going to help; the lack of education is what helps the government keep control of the people. The corporations aren't going to help, they need drones to run their machines. This is left entirely in the hands of the individuals; the individuals with the power to educate themselves and educate others in a way that supports us all, not just some but all.
So how do we take action, how do we help foster beliefs of compassion, acceptance and peace in humanity? Communication is the key, we must learn to communicate and learn from one another. We as the masses, the people, for the first time have the means to do so. The internet is the most valuable tool to bring awareness of these things into the forefront of the mind. For the first time in history almost any one can instantly connect and develop communication with others from across the globe. Never before have we been this interconnected.
From trading partners to allies, the entire globe is interdependent on one another. We must learn to work together. We must be teachers. We must bring awareness to new ideas and help manifest a greater world. Look at the world today, is this the best that we can do? We have all this technology, all these wonderful toys, yet we still fight, we still argue, we have wars. We can do better. So let's do it. Learn something new, have an open mind, and be change. Change yourself, change the world.
Both Jackie & Shane Lamotte are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jackie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Yoga Practice, Anger Control and Yoga Practice. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com. Jackie's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Shane Lamotte has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation, Psychic Readings and Yoga Practice. Shane Lamotte (Born 1984) has developed a desire for knowledge of Zen, Taoism, Buddhism, Quantum Physics and all that involves the nature of reality. His vision includes creating music that gives its listeners a "wake-up call" to change society in a posit. Shane Lamotte's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.