the view from my mat

With election season in full swing I find myself awash in sea of politicians. And I can’t say that I find it an entirely enjoyable experience. When I watched the debate between Obama and Romney I kept hearing the same things being said… by both of them… and it crossed my mind that I wasn’t entirely sure I believed either of them.

When it comes to politics everyone has their point of view, everyone has their opinion and everyone seems to want to be heard… but with as much talking as is going on I feel that not a whole lot is being said. So on that note, I’m going to try to be brief (but for those of you who read my blogs regularly, you’ll know that’s easier said than done for this loud mouth yogi).

For anyone who knows yoga, you know that there are rules to live by called the Yamas and the Niyamas. My question is this: What if politicians lived by the Yamas taught in yoga? 

Here’s how I would hope our candidates would apply the Yamas:

Ahimsa: Nonviolence
Seventh graders do it: solve your problems with your words. I’ll say it as I’ve said it in the past – an eye for an eye simply just doesn’t solve anything. It’s a caddy, stupid way to run a country. Not to mention it’s costly and none-too-effective. Beyond that ahimsa stands for non-harming and as much as many of my fellow yogis like to talk vegetarianism around this idea, I like to apply it above all to my fellow human beings. The president stands for all of the United States – not just an elephant, not just a donkey, not just the left and not just the right. Do no harm to your fellow citizens – stand for everyone. Policies should take everyone into account. I would hope that the president would stand for everyone in the U.S., not just the people who voted for him. At the end of the day – that’s the president’s job as far as I’m concerned.

Satya: Truthfulness
This is where I’m running into a lot of trouble even with my main man Obama. I just want to know what you’re going to do to make my country better. I could give a rat’s ass about the PR aspect of your job, I just want to know what you can realistically do. Don’t blow hot air up my Wunder Unders, be frank, be honest, assume that I’m not an idiot or simpleton. Then when you get into office – stand by your f-ing word. If you say you’re going to do something just to get elected, then you’re a liar. That’s not me calling names – that is the definition of what you are. If you don’t accomplish what you said you were going to – own it, explain it and come up with a new plan. I imagine being the president isn’t easy, so I’m willing to bet things aren’t going to go the way you want all the time, but I’d like to hear a politician be honest with me.

Asteya: Non-stealing
Do what’s best for the country. Don’t just look out for your own financial bottom line, or that of your party. We’re in a tough spot financially speaking – and as little as I know about math and as little as I understand global economics I do understand that being in debt means that you have to spend less, you have to give up certain things, but you still have to look out for the best interest of your people. Little side note here: No I do not consider taxing the upper class more than the poor to be stealing. I call that the right thing for wealthy people to do as human beings who always know where their next meal is coming from. I also call it the best thing for the country.

Bramacarya: Sexual Responsibility
I’m sure two words came to mind here (they did for me, anyway): Bill Clinton. Don’t get me wrong, I love Bill (not in the same way Monica did), but as the president if you can’t show control and integrity in your marriage, relationship or pants then you’re going to make a lot of people wonder if you can lead a country. I mean, get it together, Washington. Stop waggling your feet under people’s bathroom stalls, stop tweeting your private bits and pieces, show a little self-control. And by the way you are in charge of your own sexual activities, why not practice bramacarya by letting other people make their own sexual decisions? Get my drift? 

Aparigraha: Abstention From Greed
If you’re the president then it’s not about you. It’s not about your paycheck. It’s about your job. I’m sorry, but that’s what is called for when you choose to spend your life serving your fellow U.S. citizens. Become unattached to your power, become unattached to your title, forget the White House, forget the secret service, dare I say it – forget your party – and lead your country. I would hope that the president would be the most selfless person in the world. I think the White House can always use a little less ego…

So there you have it. I wish all my politicians were yogis, but I’d settle for them just being decent human beings. And I’m not saying that they all suck… but they must always strive to be better. Starting with the Yamas seems as good a place as any.

Vote responsibly!

XO
Heather C