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Peace on Earth, Peace Within
Yoga2You Introduces News Category Dedicated to Peace
"Now think of this: everyday, every week, regularly and all around the world there are people, individuals and groups, praying, chanting, meditating in one form or another for Peace."
There is a saying in yoga that for there to be Peace on Earth, peace must exist within our own hearts. Which makes sense, really, when you think about this idea in physical terms. I know when I have a toothache, for example, I usually stay to myself because it's really hard when a tooth is throbbing to be pleasant with anyone. Pain makes most of us cranky. Likewise, it can be difficult (if not impossible) to be peaceful when we are in any kind of pain~whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or these days, for many of us, financial.
 Along with physical pain, we generally feel out of sorts, abnormal. "Our nerves are on end" can be said of such instances, but the same can be said of other kinds of stressful times and other types of pain as well, right? I can recall having to deal with a flat on the Dan Ryan Expressway in the harsh Chicago winter winds. Nerves definetly on end. Or times when loved ones were injured, when loved ones died, of other losses, injuries, estrangements, miscommunications. Pain comes in many shapes, sizes, places and persuasions.
Nails scratching on a blackboard, a screeching cat, a disharmonious chord come to mind as sounds that would represent such discordant experiences. But what does sound have to do with Yoga or Peace? Well, in a word: Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Without getting too complicated here about a rather complicated part of human life and yogic teachings, let's just say as simply as possible that there is more to human life than the physical body alone, kind of like the mind is more than the brain. So, the idea then is that doing something like chanting "om" helps create a physical vibration~from within~that balances the energy in our physical and other "bodies" (and their components, which the yogic teachings refer to as sheaths). It follows that in balancing our personal energy, we also emit a more balanced vibration, and so peace within does help to effect peace in the world as well.
Just think of this: everyday, every week, regularly and all around the world there are people, individuals and groups, praying, chanting, meditating in one form or another for Peace.
In yoga, there is also the consideration of intentions. The Bhagavad Gita is all about intentions. Long before "The Secret," swamis and yogis have been talking about thought as energy and the power of intentions. If thought can be considered one of the root forms of energy, does knowing that others are using their energy to focus on Peace, however brief, however varied in practices or beliefs, make any difference? Media keeps us abreast of discordant events. You know, murders, crimes, senseless tragedies, political bantering and slandering, those kinds of things that tuning in to watch provides the incentive to cover. But when we focus too much on this kind of news, are we quite unintentionally propagating these events by investing our attention in them? Peace gatherings aren't usually the headlines that grab viewers. Yet, could the collective force of the energies focused on Peace create a stronger force for Peace just by knowing others are sharing this very same intention? Every day, all around the planet?
In asana class, we sometimes look at pictures of the lungs, the heart, the digestive organs so that during our bending, twisting and breathing of yoga asana practice, sending healing and relaxing intentions to these organs, we can really see them, believing that seeing these images help us visualize more effectively. Along these same lines, could picturing others visualizing with us for Peace, whether it is only one person's deep inner peace or a grove full of people praying and chanting, make our collective efforts that much more effective as well? We certainly hope so.
It is with this intention that Yoga2You is adding a new Peace category to our News and Events section in order to share information about Peace efforts going on in communities far and wide. If you read this and know of a Peace event or effort, please let us know, or post them yourself by registering at the right.
Yoga is one of many things we can do to help us balance our energy. Chanting Om, or chanting a personal mantra, repetitive prayer, silent meditation are some additional options. When we find that place of peace within, pain is often neutralized or lessened; we are no longer "out of sorts." And this applies to all of the bodies, as yogis we believe even the bodies beyond our bodies, or the universal body, become affected by these vibrations.
So consider devoting a little time each day, some way, to practice Peace. Please visit this section regularly to learn and share about others sharing these intentions and practices for Peace. Namaste.
If you need help bring the mind to rest and connecting wtih that peaceful energy within, Yoga2You has been working for Peace on Earth one person at a time with its Stress Relief relaxation therapies, helping 1,000-plus people (to date) connect with that place of deep inner peace. Use these helpful tools: 10 Minutes of Stress Relief CD or NEW Stress Relief Digital Only Bonus Edition (Downloads are GREEN and Give Back!).
Commit a random ACT of KINDNESS today, if only with your intentions and nothing more.
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you know of people, groups, or organizations that are regularly meeting, chanting or meditating in the effort of a more peaceful world, we want to know. Please sign up to post your events (register to the right), or email us with a summary of the event including WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and any additional details or photos you'd like to share. Thank you.
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