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A Yogi Could Teach Cameron Fiscal Lessons
YogaLondon on 02 February, 2011 |

When people talk about their Path of Yoga they are using a metaphor to describe a way of life stretching forward in time. On a daily basis, according to Patanjali’s Yoga sutras, this path should begin with the observation of Yamas and Niyamas. They are a code of ethics and self-observations that are integral to the path of the Yogi. The sutras were compiled many hundreds of years ago and they have been variously interpreted. This openness is one of the virtues of the sutras, as individuals throughout the ages have found truth and relevance in the path they teach. The Yamas and Niyamas are a humanising and overwhelmingly positive guide; if all members of a society observed them much struggle and strife in the world would cease.

It is interesting to consider these points in the light of Britain’s Coalition government and the massive fiscal cuts it has implemented since May last year. As he came into government David Cameron described a sea change: “The age of irresponsibility is giving way to the age of austerity”. The new government, in Yogic-speak, advocated the Yama ‘Bramacharya’, moderation, on a national scale. In January Cameron said these efforts were “putting our economy and our country on the right path.” The metaphor of the journey is timeless and compelling, as Patanjali knew, and the coalition’s fiscal cuts have often been couched in language familiar to those who know Patanjali’s eightfold path. For example, the “bonfire of the quangos”, which axed highly paid advisory committee certainly evoked the Niyama ‘Tapas’, (translated as fiery cleansing!)

But this is word play, and Yamas and Niyamas are relevant for individuals rather than government initiatives. It is individuals that are affected by spending cuts. Last week Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese said he had no option but to make 2,000 staff redundant. On the 19th Jan Hampshire council announced 1200 job losses among spending savings of 55 million. If a government was judged according to the ethics of Yamas and Niyamas, the coalition are not quite finding the balance between ‘Tapas’ and ‘Ahimsa’, non-violence. People are losing their jobs and this will cause violent upheaval in many lives.

This article contends that Yoga can help people through that difficult experience. Yamas and Niyamas teach ‘Aprarigrapha’, non-possessiveness, and ‘Santosa’, contentment. Practicing both these concepts could enable someone to overcome the initial reaction to being made redundant. A daily Yoga asana practice is also a healthy routine and could counter a potential slump into inactivity. Patanjali’s Sutras have lessons for the modern day, and they can only help individuals on their journey forward.