Kamal Ghorui
By Hansaji Yogendra
When troubled by uncertainty owing to worldly events, our tendency is to seek reassurance externally – in leaders, policies, or outcomes. The yogic way is that when the outer world trembles, the inner world must be kept steady.
The Gita was revealed on a battlefield and not in a serene ashram. Wisdom does not arise in the absence of turmoil, but in the midst of it. Krishn does not promise Arjun a world free of conflict, but instead, he teaches him how to respond without losing balance. When the mind is constantly anchored in awareness, uncertainty loses its power and a deeper understanding gradually dawns.
Global turmoil is, in so many ways, a collective reflection of the human mind. Not only ordinary citizens but also nations are affected by fear, ambition and insecurity. When citizens and leaders are mentally agitated, decisions become reactive. When minds are calm, it reflects in the responses, which become thoughtful and far-sighted. Maharishi Patanjali defined yog as Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah – Yog is cessation of modifications of the mind. This teaching applies to global leadership and to personal life. A disturbed state of mind, whether it is in one person or in a collective, cannot create lasting peace.
Our ethical foundations are tested during uncertainty. When times are hard, there is a temptation to compromise values in the name of security . Yogic teachings caution us against this drift. The yams and niyams – truthfulness, nonviolence, contentment, and discipline – are not meant only for peaceful periods. They are especially essential when the world is unstable. Ethical values, based on awareness, prevent power from becoming destructive and fear from becoming dominant.
Yogic teachings do not require us to disengage from the world or to ignore political realities. On the contrary, it sharpens our observation and discernment. A trained yogic mind observes events without panic, acts without hatred, and stands firm without rigidity. In times of uncertainty, even the simple act of conscious breathing becomes an effective pacifier. The breath anchors us in the present moment, activates our parasympathetic nervous system, and prevents fear of the future from hijacking the mind. When awareness replaces anxiety, peace prevails.
India’s spiritual heritage promotes the vision of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam – the world is one family. This is not idealism, but atimeless insight born of yogic perception. When humanity is seen as divided, conflict is inevitable. When humanity is experienced as a whole, compassion comes naturally. Our world is interdependent, and the suffering of one nation cannot be isolated from that of another.
Uncertainty is not a flaw in existence; it is its nature. Most attempts to eliminate uncertainty only deepen anxiety. We need acceptance without passivity. A yogic response does not deny or surrender to uncertainty. It cultivates a deeper stability that allows change to be met with intelligence rather than impulse. When one’s mind is trained in this way, fear and uncertainty transform from threats into teachers.
Swadhyaya, introspection, has the power to influence global outcomes. The world is shaped not only by actions, but by the state of mind. Collective agitation increases chaos, just as collective calmness restores peace. When millions of people cultivate awareness, patience, and compassion in their lives, the planet’s emotional climate changes. The seeds of peace germinate quietly, long before they appear in policy.
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