Is it just me, or is the thought of Donald Trump leading one of the world’s most powerful countries absolutely terrifying?

Sadly we are living in an age where statements of hate are a common part of political exchange. The level of so-called ‘debate’ has sunk to name calling and baseless, divisive lies.

We are constantly being bashed over the head with the idea that there’s a ‘them’ and an ‘us’ and that we should fear ‘them’. This focus on division and difference to create an ‘other’ – an ‘enemy’ – is exactly the same ploy that has been used by leaders throughout the centuries to create fear and conflict and maintain power. It’s only the definition of the enemy that changes with time.

When I was a child the Communists were the enemy. Nowadays many leaders use rhetoric that demonises Muslims, boat people, gays and in the case of Donald Trump, Mexicans and even women!

So what has this got to do with yoga?

According to the ancient yogic texts everything, at its most basic level is energy or Consciousness.  We and everything we see around us are reflections of Consciousness, and therefore we are all one, all connected. This means that our individual energy, choices and actions will inevitably have a ripple effect on those around us, and so on and so forth.

By choosing to see what makes us the same rather than what makes us different we encourage understanding and love.

At a time when negros were defined as the ‘other’ Martin Luther King said “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.”

So I encourage you to cultivate peace through your yoga practice, open your heart and focus on what you share in common with people from all sorts of backgrounds and situations. To quote the great yogi and leader, Gandhi “be the change that you wish to see in the world”.