Hope springs eternal in my breast !

We human beings are driven by many factors, one of which is hope. An eternal, positive, expectant resolve that all will end up as well as it could.

Alexander Pope reminded us of the eternal nature of such a feeling when he said, ‘Hope springs eternal in the human breast.’ His dictum is still as relevant and profound as it is poetic.

As our beloved Ammaji, the Living Siddha of Pondicherry says, ‘I can, I will, I am able!’ motivating us to look forward to another day with an optimistic outlook powered by self-resolve. This also reminds us the hope is not to be a passive state of resignation, but one of a dynamic self-determination.

As Pujya Swamiji Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj would often remind us, ‘You make your future by what you think, say and do in the present moment.’

As we come to the beginning of the New Year 2022, the whole of humanity is praying for deliverance from the Covid Pandemic and hoping that all will be well soon. Everyone is trying their best to find a solution, one that will enable us to once again go back to ‘Being Normal’.

This is a crucial time in human history, one where a salutogenic approach of hopeful expectancy coupled with dynamic living of Dharma will enable us to manifest the best outcome. If we make a resolve to truly Be human, we can make a difference for sure.

Aaron Antonovsky proposed that the experience of well-being is based on a ‘Sense of Coherence’. This SOC can be considered the heart of Salutogenesis and may be understood as ‘ a pervasive, long-lasting and dynamic feeling of confidence that one’s internal and external environments are predictable and that there is a high probability that things will work out as well as can be expected.’ SOC has strong positive correlations to perceived health, mental health, and quality of life as it helps the ‘diseased’ to manage their condition and ‘be well’.

The three components of SOC are based on a sense that:

1. One’s life is comprehensible,

2. It is manageable and,

3. It is meaningful.

The sense of life being comprehensible is a cognitive process where the individual has the sense ‘My world is understandable’. The coping skill in the second component enables the individual to feel, ‘My world is manageable’, while the motivational aspect of life having a sense of meaningfulness manifests in the individual feeling, ‘My world has meaning’.

The comprehension, meaningfulness and manageability (SOC approach) in daily living can enable us to have a sense of health, wellness, wellbeing and wholesomeness.

This is where all of us as Yoga teachers, Yoga therapists, and as Yoga Sadhakas need to communicate with our immediate family, friends, colleagues, society and the entire world in such a way that these three aspects come alive.

If all of us dedicate ourselves to such a shift in paradigm, the future may become much rosier as the multidimensional and holistic health promoting aspects manifest through each and everyone.

We as a friend and guide need to help ourselves and others comprehend life better. This is only possible if we truly attempt to understand one another fully. This takes time and patience.

Can we help each and everyone in our contact circle to tap into their own potential to manage their life?

Often people are not aware of their inherent capacities and potential and it is we as an external observer who can help them understand it.

We need to help each and every member of humanity move from a state where ‘being happy and healthy’ seems ‘impossible’ to one of a confident ‘I Am Possible’.

This is where the very stressor in our life becomes a catalyst for transformation and spiritual growth.

May this be the reality in 2022!

Happy New Year !