RELEVANCE OF YOGA IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

This lecture deals with the profound influence that yoga can have in the fields of behavioral transformation, upgrading mental strength, management of time, controlling of flow of emotions and reactions and choice of decision. The literal translation of yoga means “integration” or “union” have come to see yoga as the science which aims to harmonize or unite virtually all aspects of life – the physical, mental, social and spiritual. The most direct and abiding way to achieve this is to integrate yoga into sequential dealings of personal or professional relations to self actualization systems. Our ultimate goal is to see yoga as an inherent part of every curriculum all over the world in the 21st century. I believe that such “integration” would result in populations of students, employees, housewives and entrepreneurs who are more empathetic, self confident and mindful of themselves and one another. The anecdotal and empirical evidence is that those incorporate yoga into their curricula, find that the self management is enhanced through reduced level of stress, improved focus and increased attention span, gained enormous patience and become kind and vegetarian. In many parts of the world people have found that integrating yoga into the personal and professional dealings and transactions has had these profound and abiding effects. However, we find ourselves at a point where yoga is not an integral part of a significant number of educational curricula or day to day activities. More to the point, it could not even realistically be seen as part of a serious agenda on educational reform. Our task is therefore a daunting and formidable one. The first step towards this goal is for the educational, business and yogic community to come together in unity of purpose and clarity of voice to put forth value and relevance of scientific adaptation of yoga in the 21st century.