By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga is often described as “unity.” The root words for integrity are the Latin words, “integritas” and “integer”, which we know as “whole” or “wholeness.” If you practice Yoga, you should be familiar with the concept of working to improve your entire being, in every facet of your existence.

Two different cultures (Latin and Indian) approached a similar concept as a way of life. When we think of integrity, we often think of taking the right action, even when it is unpopular. Historically, doing the right thing could cost you your life. In some parts of the world, your life is at risk for talking about peaceful
co-existence with a different culture.

Unfortunately, men and women of peace have been our martyrs. Consider Mohandas Gandhi, Anwar Sadat, Benazir Bhutto, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Yitzhak Rabin. In each case, we cannot rationally understand why each of them was assassinated. Yet, we all know that talking peace can put your life at risk.

If you have ever been suddenly shocked by hatred against your skin color, ethnic background, religion, or something else that makes you a little different, you are not alone. At one time, or another, each of us has felt an intolerant focus on us. Intolerance, prejudice, and hate crimes are always wrong, but who is brave enough to tell an angry mob?

With all of this said, any of us, who live in a democracy, are extremely lucky to be able to express our opinions with much less chance of sacrificing our lives. Those who live in war-torn countries, see a much different world.

Those of us, who are free to practice Yoga, should “thank our lucky stars” for it. Even in a free society, one cannot be loved by everyone, but many of us should not be surprised if Yoga is scorned by some. The reason is simple: Yoga will enable you to see clearly, to love those who are different from you, and to embrace peaceful solutions.

Fundamentalists, of all kinds, are united in their belief against the concept of peace. A fundamentalist argument, against peaceful co-existence, is that the earth has a north and south pole, and there is no need for a “gray area” in between.

Logic tells us that there is much space between the earth’s two poles. Notice also, that the two polar opposites are both very cold places to live. Our earth’s poles are much like fundamentalists. A fundamentalist has much more in common with another extremist of any religion, or philosophy, than the vast majority of humanity.

The world has never needed integrity, tolerance, and Yoga, more than it does right now. The reason: World peace is a real possibility, when each of us is an ambassador of kindness.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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