Man is part of nature and can only prosper in harmony with nature and all that is part of nature, living or non living.
One may wonder what is the link between sustainability and yoga? Is a link being established just because we are commemorating International Day of Yoga? To understand the link one needs to go no further than Indian philosophy, which posits the human being in the lap of Mother Nature.
An interpretation of the above is that everything inanimate or animate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord.
When one hears the word yoga, what are the first images that come to mind? Asanas and exercises.
Can practising yoga help make the world a better place? Yoga is founded upon principles that promote awareness of one’s sense of connection, inborn identification and interdependence with all things.
For me, my yoga consciousness doesn’t necessarily mean that I am very adept in doing asanas, but it translates to maintaining societal hygiene, working towards reducing single-use plastics and a passion for trees and water.
If we can open our minds to the original purpose of yoga, in addition to the physical, emotional and mental health that it brings to our lives, there is hope for this practice to encourage environmental sustainability.
At this moment, when we are grappling with covid, we have to redevelop the pathways for reclaiming the connection to nature and enhancing the capacity for compassionate action.
We can become aware of the various correlations and what it takes to bring food from the farm to the table or water from the forests to the jug.