The moment we hear the word yoga, what are the first images that come to mind? Very likely, intricate postures floating over social media!. It seems yoga has unfortunately become synonymous with the physical aspect of the practice - the asana, or postures. Similar has been the case when we hear the words “योग: कर्मसु कौशलम्, Skill in action is yoga which has become a corporate jargon in pursuit of organizational excellence. No doubt, it this very pursuit which has progressed humanity in finding answers and comforts in dealing with harsh realities of nature. However, if humanity limits itself to these very limited aspects of yoga, sustainability suffers which is quite evident from the present-day issues of climate change, global warming, drought, famine, floods, pandemics and threat to eco-systems and United Nations’ urgent call to meet Sustainable Development goals (UNSDG). 

How can yoga help achieve sustainability? Answer lies in definition of “Perfect Yogi” found in 5000 years old classical wisdom...

आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन |

सुखं वा यदि वा दु:खं स योगी परमो मत II

 “Perfect Yogis are those who see the true equality of all living beings and respond to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were their own”. To drive home this important sustainability lesson, classical yoga texts have 84 asanas representing 8.4 million species on this planet, reinforced with the very definition of yoga… युज्यते अनेन इति योगः Yoga is that which joins. Simplify speaking... the day we humans, only one of 8.4 million species on planet start to recognize, respect and co-exist in harmony with the rest of 8.4 million species, sustainability will be there to stay... Forever...

What can go wrong without “आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र... योगी परमो मत:?

The documentary by Richard Attenborough presented viewers with jaw-dropping statistics and facts on impact of plastic pollution, there was one scene that brought tears to millions of viewers across the world.  A Mother whale grieving and carrying a dead calf around in water for days ... pleading with humanity that love, affection and family values are not just limited to humans and irresponsible human behaviors have converted their heaven in to living hell by dumping almost one garbage truck of plastic in to ocean every minute (Approx.8 million tons per year). Nature does not discriminate between whale and human proven by a recent study in which micro-plastic was found in blood of 17 out of 22 participants…

Remember this childhood story?  For doing great and noble work for his people in kingdom, a king got the boon from divine powers that whatever he touches will convert into gold. Entire Kingdom miraculously got transformed into gold within no time and everyone in kingdom was happy with gold in abundance. Unfortunately, king touched his own daughter one day and converted her into dead gold. Similar has been the journey of plastic from almost zero plastic in 1950 to a planet living and breathing in plastic and micro-plastics.

With its great properties – strong, durable, aesthetic, easy to mold into any shape, lightweight in reducing carbon footprint and unfortunately plastic started replacing other materials. Whatever plastic, like the king in our story touched, got transformed into gold in utility and value. Be it planes, trains, cars, homes, buildings, kitchen, furniture, solar panels and even our beauty and hygiene products. Being cheap made it affordable and disposable only after a few minutes of use and durability made it terrible as littered plastic will stay for up to 500 years to pollute environment. The real problem started when this miracle material started polluting water and land, touching lives and got into guts. Once called miracle material in 1950s it started to turn into toxins for life in water and land.

Blame it on inventor Hendrik Baekeland known for famous Bakelite or whales for not having discerning ability? Not really… Blame it on humans. Being the smartest and strongest among 8.4 million species, humans made great inventions for a comfortable life but unfortunately made everything human-centric ignoring the most important sustainability lesson from great yogis.  ईश्वर: सर्वभूतानां .. Divinity is in all beings. Not just humans.

The message is quite clear when it comes to sustainability. As planet is not human-centric, every human activity, behavior, creation, invention and consumption needs self-scrutiny and if those are not in harmony with the rest of ecosystem, sustainability will nosedive. Ponder over consequences of littering a single use plastic bottle or a Styrofoam cup. Few minutes of use and polluting and threatening eco-system for ages. Plastic is just one example and there could be more such examples that caused disaster for eco-system and sustainability.

Here is a gem from yogic wisdom- यत पिंडे तत ब्रह्माण्डे’ 'whatever is there in the microcosm is also there in the macrocosm'.  This will hold true the other way around as well. If humanity pumps and dumps toxins and pollutants in to five pure elements in macrocosm, the same toxins and pollutants will eventually find their way into guts of living organisms on land and in water including homo sapiens who created this mess in the first place.

Here is something for yoga asana lovers. When we perform Matsyasan (Fish pose) next time, let us focus to ponder over all the great qualities of Whale and a baby whale, appreciate their contribution in ecosystem and be in yoga (union) with them. Seriously speaking, that is exactly what Matsya asana and all other asanas teach us…

When we hear the word sustainability, we talk about leaving planet in a better condition for children and grandchildren.  Yoga makes a correction- सर्वभूतानां for all beings. Not just humans.

Honoring Earth Day, तस्माद्योगीभव मानव. Therefore, O’ Human! Be a Yogi.

ॐ द्यौ: शान्तिरन्तरिक्षँ शान्ति:,
पृथ्वी शान्तिराप: शान्तिरोषधय: शान्ति:।
वनस्पतय: शान्तिर्विश्वे देवा: शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्ति:,
सर्वँ शान्ति:, शान्तिरेव शान्ति:, सा मा शान्तिरेधि॥
ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:॥

May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere.
May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers.
May peace flow over the whole universe.
May peace be in the Supreme Being Brahman.
And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti to us and all beings!

References

1. Sustainable Development Goals | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
2. Plastic Pollution (unep.org)
3. Watch Blue Planet II | Prime Video (amazon.com)
4. 'Blue Planet II' viewers left shocked after heartbreaking ocean scene (nme.com)
5. Microplastics Detected in Human Blood in New Study | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine

Image provided by the author.