yoga and global warming
By Denice Finnegan
While we were away in Canada and Alaska, we were witness to the melting of glaciers and the changes in climate that were affecting the land, the sea and the animals that live there. The glaciers over the history of the planet have expanded and contracted but never to this extent. The influence of humans is without a doubt amplifying this process. We visited a glacier that had shrunk over a kilometre. You could see where it had been by the year markers showing the melt.
Witnessing these things brought up many things: fear, distress, a sense of impermanence, and a sense of responsibility, with a need to act. Some of us may financially support organisations which lobby for change (karma yoga). We may be actively involved by writing letters or participating in rallies. Most importantly we need to review what we are doing. What values are we supporting by the choices we are making.
One of the yoga precepts is ahimsa, or non-violence. If we apply this precept to ourselves, it means being responsible for, and looking after ourselves with love and compassion. This means focusing inwards and developing our awareness. What is our internal climate like? How does this affect our external world?
In our yoga practice we can witness our emotions, and our desires, without acting on them. Watching the craving for more of everything, in the belief that it will make us feel better. Coming to understand that we can strongly desire to say, or do, or own something, and simply watch this wanting, then let it go. Developing this skill allows us to live simply and with contentment.
For example, say someone has done something to you and you are very angry about it. You intend to pick up the phone and abuse them. Instead of focussing on the event which seemed to trigger the anger, can you focus on the anger itself ? Shift your attention from the story you are telling yourself about the event, to present moment awareness of the feeling itself. See what happens. Feel the sensatons in the body without trying to get rid of them. They may initially increase but eventually they will dissipate. Without strong anger clouding your mind, insights into the event and your reaction to it will arise. Your consequent actions will be wiser and less harmful. This will be tremendously helpful to you, your relationships and your world.
Another way is the practice of gratitude. Focusing on the things we have: our physical bodies and all the things they allow us to do in this world, our homes, our environment and the people around us. Consciously directing our thoughts to those things we feel gratitude for, will bring about a desire to look after and nourish them.
In practicing kindness, we can try to let go of judgement about others and ourselves, by sending kind thoughts, and speaking kind words to ourself and others. Underlying this practice is the understanding that we are all interconnected, and that what I think and say and do, has an effect on my world and the people in it. Yoga develops awareness, so we can see our thoughts, know our feelings, and act with non-violence (loving kindness and compassion), letting go, gratitude, and kindness. This makes our body, mind and world a better place to live in.