The truth about Yoga

Have you ever seen a street dog stretching in the morning right after it gets up? Ever wondered who taught Yoga to that dog? How come does it know the importance of exercise above other intelligent species?

Anyway, our topic is different. We know the common meaning of Yoga which is "Union". And the next obvious statement is that Yoga is much more than that. Just like most of the time, I have my views on Why-Factor for Yoga being called the "way of living" above all the other meanings like balance or combination.

Basically, there are 5 structures of Yoga out of which, these 4 have intrigued me:
1. Gyana Yoga: Yoga committed to inquiry
2. Raja Yoga: Yoga committed to introspection and contemplation
3. Bhakti Yoga: Yoga devoted to love and devotion to God
4. Karma Yoga: Yoga committed to selfless service and Dharma

Now if you know about Hindu religion, there are 4 Varna that create a structure of society:
1. Brahman: Committed to knowledge and wisdom
2. Kshatriya: Committed to discipline,  sacrifice and contemplative use of power
3. Vaishya: Committed to livelihood and devoted to God
4. Shudra: Committed to serve at their personal best

And if you have ever been to a management training for Goal setting, there are 4 primary areas to set goals for a balanced life:
1. Spiritual
2. Physical
3. Financial
4. Social

Now check out what's common in above three lists which happened in different times and places.
Does these similarities ring any bells?

Okay!
I am assuming that you are with me in this correlation.
Now look at America. Where does it stand in case of knowledge and innovation? What about war/ weapons/ defense strength? How about business/ market? And how about service sector/ labour? If you notice, most of the developed countries are strong at the first 3 Varna/ but are becoming weaker at the 4th varna. And interesting thing is, they have unknowingly given away this strength. There is a mentality that service is for lower class. Truth is, due to lack of either of the 4 Varna, any state may loose the balance and as a result strength. Seems convincing?

It gets interesting now!
With this changing times where everything is getting smaller and closer, these 4 Varna have also come closer. Previously, had you followed any 1 Varna, it would have been okay to lead a life of fulfilment. But now is the time to instill these 4 Varna, these 4 qualities, not only in this world or nations but within us.
Today,
- We must be curious enough to question (first) ourselves with relentless attitude of learning and improving and experimenting.
- We must have good strength to take a stand for humanity and for mother nature.
- We must have the skills to sell ourselves anywhere needed, be it with thoughts, products, services or qualifications.
- We must have the never-ending attitude of serving wholeheartedly and readiness to do all kinds of jobs which may seem unimportant or tacky.
When we become Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, all at the same time, that's what I call an ultimate balance, the perfect Yoga. Once we attain this Union, we reach at the axis of the rotating wheel - by gradually moving from the tangent towards the center. Interestingly, this is the never-ending process. And maybe that's why Yoga is called the Way of living.

We are all here by miracle, learning to live.


""Miracle" is a word commonly used for "accident" with the sense of humility."