Why is the West Interested in Yoga

Author(s): B K S Iyengar
Publisher: Z_Pushkarmuni_Abhinandan_Granth_012012.pdf

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Why is the West Interested in Yoga?
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WHY IS THE WEST INTERESTED IN YOGA?
B. K. S. IYENGAR
For 25 years, I have been regularly visiting the West for periods of three months or so. On
these visits, I have met many eminent personalities, as well as common people. The question: "Why is interest in Yoga increasing day by day in the West ?", has been asked several times by our people.
India is a land enriched by its ancient but ever-fresh and flourishing culture. Although we were ruled for a long time by foreigners and were in the clutches of poverty. We did not lose our ground, for our culture, and strong faith in its philosophical thought, along with our strong faith in the Inner Self, have always protected us from all sorts of disasters. Facing the calamities of life, we have understood the meaning and the depth of life. Even the Hindu religion has not remained within limited boundries. Though it is known as the Hindu religion, it has often proven that it is not meant only for Indians, but is a universal religion, or VishvaDharma; for its truth has not remained only for a selected few, or for any particular caste, creed, or class. The truth of this Dharma or religion has contributed human betterment.
Yoga is neither a foreign nor a new subject to our country. It was evolved centuries ago by our sages. If anything at all it is Yoga-the ancient Art, the perfect science-the path which takes one towards the innermost truth.
Yoga means Union. It means evenness of attitude in our day-to-day life, or a skill which arises by itself in our action or meditation, and so on.
To achieve union and evenness one has to still one's mind. One has to break the frontiers which distract one's mind from thoughts and emotions. Actions are subordinated to thoughts and emotions. Thus these actions are not pure. Pure action is that by which skill comes into being, which brings serenity, morality, and creativity. That is true Yoga. Thus Yoga brings purity in action, clarity in thought and stability in mind.
The West has realized that there is a fundamental need to introduce Yoga into their way of life. India could make Yoga a gift to the world.
It was first introduced to the West in 1954 by Yehudi Menuhin, the world famous violinst. It was then that I sowed the seed of Yoga, and today I am proud to say that it has grown into a gigantic tree. I see the enthusiasm growing. Hundreds of Westerners have benefitted from my instruction, tacking advantage of my presence and working hard to maintain what they learned with great effort and keenness to add to their practices. Not only did they derive the benefit of my work, but they also started conducting classes in different centres in different centres in Europe, America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritious, etc., on a purely humanitarian basis. Thus more and more people are being introduced to Yoga.
Western people have always been interested in Indian Philosophy. Not only are they keen to know about the Indian way of life, but they are also keen to adopt it. Impeded by all their book-knowledge of Yoga, they could never grasp what Yoga is exactly and actually. In 1954 when I arrived at London airport, I was looked upon as a 'miracle man', and was asked