Name: Siddharth banerjee
Age: 27
Country: India
Yoga - As a Path towards Sustainability
Sustainability, a term extensively used globally, seems to have flooded the newspapers, magazines and the electronic media with its tentacles of information and global concern.
We talk of sustainable growth, sustainable economy, sustainable development, sustainable living. Basically a way of life that can be sustained for long and causes least possible damage to mankind, society, nature and natural resources.
Each nation has its contribution to this global endeavour of “sustainable development”. Some come up with the ideas of Green buildings and energy efficiency , some think about food security and women safety, a few have a focus on holistic education and many more deal with poverty alleviation measures. All of it aiming and accounting for an ideal sustainable planet.
India, like any other nation is tossing between development /progress and sustainability /conservation. India- an incredible nation on this planet, I feel has an intangible answer to this global paradox.
Namaste !!
My name is Siddharth Banerjee . A Botany graduate from Hindu college, DU and holder of a master’s degree in Forestry from FRI Dehradun. An environment enthusiast turned into spirituality.
A series of eventful years paved my lifestyle into a yogic one wherein “Yog” has become an important rather indispensable part of my life.
A day starting from dynamic Yog aasanas for developing body strength to deep mindful mediations as a preparatory for a strong and vast mind. A balanced and holistic diet to Bhakti yog evoking devotion and surrender, all inclusive of this yogic lifestyle.
These attributes of yoga has helped me achieve a fuller involvement in life, great amount of clarity in my thought process, along with developing innate awareness and sensitivity.
A life journey inspired by great souls like – Swami Vivekananda , Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda , Gurdev Ravindranath Tagore, Gautam Buddha and many more, I spent two years taking academic sabbaticals consolidating and understanding the truth and secrets of life and finally got the answers through Yoga and a yogic discipline. During my stay in Dharamshala with HH the Dalai Lama, I accidently met a mystic -Yogi Sivadas, who was humble enough to bestow his knowledge and wisdom onto me. A 500 hours Advanced yoga teacher training course with him and I felt the inner transformation. Purely via yogic disciplines.
Swami Viveikananda said that character building is nation building. Yoga that literally means the union with the self helps in develop this “strong character”. Yoga is said to be the journey of the self, to the self, through the self and once established in it, one discovers his true nature and potential. One gets to develop true values and morals naturally. Yoga makes us deeply aware and sensitive towards us and others too. Establishing clarity of thought and purity of mind turning one towards a balanced, harmonized and a meaningful life.
In other words “sustainable” enough physically , mentally , emotionally and spiritually .
A nation can certainly sustain well if its citizens are sustainable enough. A truthful character would automatically curb corruption. A sensitive attitude will never harm fellow beings and nature. A pure mind shall automatically be respectful to all. A subtle nature shall never demean women. Similarly a healthy body will increase the productivity of an individual. A strong intellect and a wise mind will generate innovative ideas and fuel inventions.
Why seek everything outwardly when the answer lies within, dormant yet waiting to get explored by Yoga.
“She is awakening, this motherland of ours, from her deep long sleep. None can desist her anymore; never is she going to sleep anymore; no outward powers can hold her back any more; for the infinite giant is rising to her feet”.
