Opening our hearts, dissolving seperation

“Peace is this moment

without judgement.

This moment in the heart space

where everything that is, is welcome."

Dorothy Hart

In the intricate web of human existence, our behaviors and attitudes are profoundly influenced by a delicate interplay of factors. These factors include our personal values, our perception of the values held by others, and the values subtly propagated by societal institutions such as businesses, educational establishments, media outlets, government bodies, and cultural institutions.

Amidst the relentless hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we find ourselves immersed in a world that often places undue emphasis on material success, beauty, and personal gain. The media inundates us with a relentless stream of images and stories that amplify these extrinsic values, leaving little room for the deeper, intrinsic values that unite us as human beings.

During my day job as a communicator for an environmental charity, I recently discovered the inspiring work of the Common Cause Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to championing the very values that underpin our care for one another and our precious planet Earth. Their mission is clear: to elevate these values to the mainstream, reshaping how we approach complex social and environmental issues.

Their research has unveiled a fascinating paradox. Most individuals place greater importance on intrinsic values, such as equality, unity with nature, and community, than on extrinsic values like wealth, ambition, and public image. Yet, these very same individuals tend to underestimate the significance of intrinsic values in their fellow citizens and overestimate the importance of extrinsic values. This discrepancy in perception, termed the "Values Perception Gap," means that while most people are inherently compassionate, we often feel isolated in our compassion.

Meaningful change begins with the assumption that people are inherently compassionate; let compassion be our guiding light in shaping a better world.

The consequences of this gap extend beyond perception. Those who hold this inaccurate belief about others' values tend to feel less positive about engaging in public life, such as voting, or volunteering. They report a greater sense of social alienation, feeling less responsible for their communities and less connected to wider society compared to those with a more accurate perception of their fellow citizens' values.

This leads us to a pivotal realization: meaningful change can only be achieved by operating under the assumption that people are compassionate and by actively nurturing and reaffirming these values. In essence, our motivation should be rooted in compassion rather than self-interest.

In her thought-provoking blog post, Ruth Potts raises a critical question: What if we consciously chose to elevate stories that reflect shared universalism and benevolence values, which are more aligned with the values we collectively hold dear? Stories that focus on people living together in friendship despite perceived differences, offering help during individual and collective challenges, and showcasing the growth of diverse and evolving communities.

This notion resonated deeply with me.

As we delve into this month's yoga classes, our theme is "opening our hearts." In our human quest for understanding, we often resort to categorizing and labeling, separating things into "us" and "not us." Whether it's gender, religion, or the notion of self and other, these definitions serve as guides to navigate the complexities of the world.

Yet, yoga teaches us that this separation is a fallacy. Yoga is a profound practice of dissolving separation and promoting integration – integration of the self, mind, body, and breath. As we merge these elements, we begin to recognize that the barriers we've constructed are illusory. By opening our hearts, we can venture even deeper into our shared humanity, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all things. Through yoga, we can learn to see and recognize ourselves in each other, fostering a sense of unity that transcends the boundaries we've created.

In a world that often divides, let us use our yoga practice to bridge the gap, embrace compassion, and dissolve the illusion of separation. As we do so, we can tap into the common values that bind us all, fostering a more compassionate and empathetic world for ourselves and future generations.

Namaste.