World of Philosophy

SR No.: 007005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 1002
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 30 MB

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That new version was accepted in full by seven initial co-signers, with one minor word change. Here is the statement as it was formed in November 2003, and as it remains today:
Yoga is Ecological Values Statement
(Later renamed "Green Yoga Values Statement")
The health of our bodies depends on clean air, clean water, and clean food. Yoga is grounded in an understanding of this interconnection. Historically, Yoga developed in the context of a close relationship with the earth and cosmos and a profound reverence for animals, plants, soil, water, and air. This reverence towards life is the basis of the Yogic teaching of ahimsa, or non-violence, non-injury, and non-harming.
Today, the viability of earth's life systems is in danger. If humanity is to survive and thrive, we must learn to live in balance with nature. Now is the time to cleanse and heal the earth and to establish a sustainable relationship with the environment for generations to come.
Therefore, as practitioners of Yoga we will:
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Educate ourselves about the needs of the biosphere as a whole and our local ecosystems in particular.
Cultivate an appreciation for and conscious connection with the natural environments in which we live, including animals, plants, soil, water, and air.
Include care for the environment in our discussion of Yogic ethical practices.
Commit ourselves to policies, products, and actions that minimize environmental harm and maximize environmental benefit. And if we are Yoga teachers or centers, we will incorporate these
commitments into our work with students.
Having obtained our first co-signers, the next step was to reach out more widely. Judith Hanson Lasater, one of the co-founders of Yoga Journal and author of Relax and Renew and Living Your Yoga, was one of those we had initially contacted who was most excited about the statement. She recommended we share it with the public at a Yoga Journal Conference by purchasing a non-profit table in the "Yoga Marketplace." I registered for such a table, and enlisted the support of the collaborative group. Ben Lord agreed to join me, and we spent the weekend answering questions from curious conference attendees. Our table featured the Values Statement, information on toxicity in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Yoga mats, books on ecol
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