The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be…The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists- Martin Luther King Jr.
The world that we live in today is full of extremists who are out there to rule humanity. It’s so unfortunate that a majority of the population is today controlled by a group or faction who adopt an agitative approach for getting their social, economic, political or religious demands fulfilled. They are termed as extremists because they give up moderation and take to over-activism and in some cases also to extreme violence. This kind of people or groups is prepared to go to any length and any end in order to be heard and to have their demands met by the authorities of the day. They disturb public peace and, indulge in activities that reflect over-assertiveness, rigid attitudes and lack of appreciation of the views and interests of other communities or groups.
A closer view at the society we live in would reveal that, at present, all are extremists of some sort in some sense.
Not only are Science and Technology rushing towards their extremes but also other things such as trade, commerce and commercialism also have now adopted the global form and are becoming multinational and mega and over-expansive.
Inflation, threats and expansion of corporations are moving to the extreme limits. Manufacture and stockpiling of Nuclear weapons and missiles also reflect the extremism of militaristic tendencies, anger, hatred and the spirit of revenge.
Pollution of the Environment also is now proceeding towards its extreme because of the extreme selfishness of certain people.
The increasing use of computers, telecommunications, television, internet, films, print media, is also proceeding towards information explosion. The very rapid expansion of cities, air, rail and road transport—all are marching towards the extreme end. However, out of all these extremes, what causes serious concern is that anger, jealousy, hatred, violence, greed, sex-lust, are also moving towards their extreme end as a result of which today we see that lot of families are splitting.
Thus, the social and cultural unit is breaking up and there is a lot of friction and tension around due to lack of feeling of mutual love & devotion.
Modern man’s lust for wealth and material goods is also increasing, giving rise, to mind-boggling cases of corruption which is now rampant in almost the whole of society. Hunger for power and position also is also taking its extreme form. Consumerism, commercialism and materialism also are taking extreme shape. It is often said that when there is unrighteousness to the extreme, then only is the time of their coming to an end due to some social, economic or natural catastrophe. The present trends give that sort of feeling. Hence under these circumstances, when self-control and moderation have been banished and almost every man has become extremist of a sort, it is necessary that we learn an art that restores us to the original position of self-control, calmness and equipoise. Experience says that Yoga, combined with Values, is the only hope for mankind which will give back the purity it has lost and the peace for which it has a deep thirst. The practice of Meditation and inculcation of moral and spiritual values, enables a person to be busy and easy, to be loveful and yet detached, to abstain from exploitation and economic injustice and yet to have everything and not to have a lust for material things. Remember!! Without the practice of yoga, unbridled consumerism and commercialism cannot be kept under checks and balances and neither can a man have the purity of thought nor peace of mind. So, let us make Yoga a part of our life to face all kinds of extremism within ourselves & out in the world and achieve eternal bliss.
