Yoga for a World Out of Balance: Teachings on Ethics and Social Action

[ASIN:1590307054 Yoga for a World Out of Balance: Teachings on Ethics and Social Action]Yoga is usually conceived as an important instrument to achieve a personal transformation. Unfortunately, because of the emphasis to present yoga as a practice that goes beyond simple physical exercises (Asanas), the fact that yoga has also an important social dimension is very often ignored. The book by Michael Stone properly addresses this issue and insists that in ecology, like in yoga, we recognize that everything is interconnected and interrelated. Therefore, there is a strong correspondence between achieving a personal transformation and transforming our society. Such a claim is also strongly emphasized by the organizers of the coming UN 2015 Paris Climate Conference, who insist that actions should address both the international and national levels simultaneously.In the vast literature on yoga subjects, there are very few books that address the social dimension of yoga. The author finds a strong support to his ideas from the Bhagavad-Gita and from Patanjali’s Sutras. He sees that yoga and modern ecology form a symbiotic unity and concludes that both approaches are deeply concerned with action and the effects of those actions. We are taught in the Bhagavad-Gita that “not taking action in times of crisis is a form of violence.” The late yogi master, B. K. S. Iyengar, who wrote a foreword for this book, affirms: “The eight aspects (astanga) of yoga comprise a subjective art, science, and philosophy that covers the five layers of the human being; the anatomical, physiological, mental, intellectual, and spiritual bodies [the ‘Koshas’]. They also balance the ecosystem and environment of the elements. …This Earth belongs to all of us. We are all one family here.”Through the book, the author eloquently highlights the idea that although the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali was written 18 centuries ago, its message is highly relevant to confront the imbalances of modern life. Yoga for a World out of Balance is full of insights and is more focused on environmental issues than his previous book, The Inner Tradition of Yoga (2008), which was a rather general guide. The 13 chapters of the new book form an interesting sequence. The first four chapters have a broad introduction to the ethical components of the Yoga Sutras. They are followed by the central five chapters, which are devoted to present the guiding principles about our relations to others (called Yamas): non-harming (Ahimsa), honesty (Satya), no stealing (Asteya), the wise control of our appetites (Brahmacharya), and greedlessness (Aparigraha). It is here that Stone provides an incisive discussion of the Yamas, making well documented references to our socio-economic and environmental problems. A penultimate chapter has the attractive title “Samadhi in Community,” where he develops the idea that Samadhi is a “deep awakening” to the interconnected nature of reality. The book has a self explanatory subtitle, “Teachings on Ethics and Social Action.”The entire book is written to present yoga as an educational secular set of principles and guidance tools and insists that yoga is not a religion. He also advances the idea that “yoga did not come from India or Bengal, it’s always been here,” echoing the more current view that yoga was “discovered” in India, as well as in other parts of the world. Aldous Huxley had already mentioned that yoga was part of what he called “the perennial philosophy.”Michael Stone is a Canadian psychotherapist and teaches Buddhism and yoga. He is the founder and director of the Centre of Gravity Sangha in Toronto, a community of Buddhist practitioners and teachers who are dedicated to integrating a committed formal yoga practice and the demands of modern urban life.

This book is about intimacy. A deeper connection to ourself and the world around us. I've had the pleasure to study with Michael. I now pick this book up everyday to tap into his wisdom, even though he's not here. It continues to help me ground, deepen my awareness, and strengthen my resilience.

As I've been deepening my practice and thinking about the other seven limbs than asana practice, this was a great introduction to the yamas and how my yoga practice can be reflected in my life, and how I can use the teachings to improve my life. I didn't agree wi everything, but it was excellent.

Good if a bit redundant and strident.

Excellent book.

Finally a book that translates the Yamas into practices and perspectives for modern times.

One of the best books in have ever read!

Very intelligent & insightful. Brings yoga off the mat & into the everyday for me. Not your average yogic philosophy book.

Great thought provoking book that brings yoga to a much broader perspective, raising important questions about ethics and sustainability. Stone has done an excellent job of bringing the Yamas into a contemporary context.

An essential read for any one searching for balance in this ever changing world we are in.

Michael Stone's teachings are modern and relevant in this materialistic, commercialised globalised society. The ancient yoga sutras are often over analysed. Michael Stone openly states that there is no point in trying to take meaning from thousands of years ago and apply them to present society. He's a sanskrit scholar himself so, he isn't getting the translation from other people.Ethics is something I am very passionate about, especially in regards to the environment, fair-trade, the cruelty of animals and I find it difficult to see all people around me living without a thought for any of these things. Yoga is about interconnectedness and Michael Stone's teachings are what I think are missing from yoga at this current time. I hope this book will have a positive influence on people who practise yoga and that Western yoga evolves beyond asana classes and do the rest on your own attitude'.