United Nations Declares June 21 as the International Day of Yoga
The declaration came after the call for the adoption by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi who addressed the UN assembly stating, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and nature.” By embracing yoga, we embrace the world. Through inner peace, we bring world peace.
“The International Day of Yoga logo was created to reflect harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of yoga. Folding of both hands in the logo symbolizes yoga, or union, of individual consciousness (the soul) with Cosmic Consciousness (Spirit).”
—International Day of Yoga
The True Meaning of Yoga: Yoga Means Union
Paramhansa Yogananda, a great master from India, came to show us our infinite potential. From the East to the West, he brought the liberating technique of Kriya Yoga:
“Kriya Yoga is ‘union (yoga) with the Infinite.’”
—Paramhansa Yogananda, Autobiography of a Yogi
Patanjali defined yoga as the neutralization of the vrittis (vortices) of feeling in the heart (Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodha). Yogananda expounded on this meaning, stating:
This is the essence of yoga: to neutralize the waves of reactions in the heart.
With the practice of true yoga, we can be ever happy inside; ever peaceful.
World peace starts with inner peace, thus, such a technique as Kriya is a gift to the world. One that can calm the hearts and minds of all who practice, and through the upliftment of each individual, bring higher awareness to the planet.
Download an introduction to Kriya Yoga booklet here: The Path of Kriya Yoga
The Peace and Harmony Prayer of Yogananda
“To be a peacemaker; be peaceful, first, in your own heart.”
—Swami Kriyananda
If you are having challenges with another person, visualize that person in light and for one minute pray:
“Lord, fill him or her with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.”
Then visualize yourself in light and pray for 15 seconds:
“Lord, fill me with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.”
The prayer also came with these additional words:
“Do this five times a day — three or four times might work, but five times practically never fails.”
Using This Prayer for World Peace
With Nayaswami Devi, co-director of Ananda Sangha Worldwide, shares a visualization for world peace and harmony with Yogananda’s prayer. The title of the music is “Peace,” by Swami Kriyananda (founder of Ananda).
