| Yoga is often described as "unity." The root words for | | | | are extremely lucky to be able to express our opinions |
| integrity are the Latin words, "integritas" and "integer", | | | | with much less chance of sacrificing our lives. Those |
| which we know as "whole" or "wholeness." If you | | | | who live in war-torn countries, see a much different |
| practice Yoga, you should be familiar with the concept | | | | world. |
| of working to improve your entire being, in every facet | | | | Those of us, who are free to practice Yoga, should |
| of your existence. | | | | "thank our lucky stars" for it. Even in a free society, |
| Two different cultures (Latin and Indian) approached a | | | | one cannot be loved by everyone, but many of us |
| similar concept as a way of life. When we think of | | | | should not be surprised if Yoga is scorned by some. |
| integrity, we often think of taking the right action, even | | | | The reason is simple: Yoga will enable you to see |
| when it is unpopular. Historically, doing the right thing | | | | clearly, to love those who are different from you, and |
| could cost you your life. In some parts of the world, | | | | to embrace peaceful solutions. |
| your life is at risk for talking about peaceful | | | | Fundamentalists, of all kinds, are united in their belief |
| co-existence with a different culture. | | | | against the concept of peace. A fundamentalist |
| Unfortunately, men and women of peace have been | | | | argument, against peaceful co-existence, is that the |
| our martyrs. Consider Mohandas Gandhi, Anwar | | | | earth has a north and south pole, and there is no need |
| Sadat, Benazir Bhutto, Martin Luther King, Jr., and | | | | for a "gray area" in between. |
| Yitzhak Rabin. In each case, we cannot rationally | | | | Logic tells us that there is much space between the |
| understand why each of them was assassinated. Yet, | | | | earth's two poles. Notice also, that the two polar |
| we all know that talking peace can put your life at risk. | | | | opposites are both very cold places to live. Our earth's |
| If you have ever been suddenly shocked by hatred | | | | poles are much like fundamentalists. A fundamentalist |
| against your skin color, ethnic background, religion, or | | | | has much more in common with another extremist of |
| something else that makes you a little different, you | | | | any religion, or philosophy, than the vast majority of |
| are not alone. At one time, or another, each of us has | | | | humanity. |
| felt an intolerant focus on us. Intolerance, prejudice, and | | | | The world has never needed integrity, tolerance, and |
| hate crimes are always wrong, but who is brave | | | | Yoga, more than it does right now. The reason: World |
| enough to tell an angry mob? | | | | peace is a real possibility, when each of us is an |
| With all of this said, any of us, who live in a democracy, | | | | ambassador of kindness. |