17
Jul
2025
How Yoga Teaches Us to Stand Up for Justice Without Losing Our Peace: Lessons on Kṣānti, Compassion & Righteous Action
The world is burning, sometimes literally, often emotionally. Injustice surrounds us, from the personal to the planetary. We see it, we feel it, and we sometimes suffer under it. As yoga practitioners, how do we respond? How do we stand up…for ourselves, for others, without losing our center? How do we remain anchored in the teachings while engaging fully in the world?
The ancient yogic virtue of *kṣānti* (forbearance, patience) and its sister concept *titikṣā* (spiritual endurance) comes from the Sanskrit root *kṣam* (“to endure, to forgive”). *Kṣānti* is not weakness, it is a radiant inner strength that fuels compassionate action in the midst of adversity.
Śāntideva calls *kṣānti* the “supreme austerity,” the Bhagavad Gītā places it at the heart of wisdom, and the Pāli Canon affirms its place in the path to awakening.
But the teachings don’t stop there. This is also a call to action.
The Gītā offers us a model in Arjuna, a warrior who awakens not just to his capacity for battle, but to the clarity (*viveka*) required to fight the right fight, in the right way, for the right reasons. Yogic action *karma yoga* is not rooted in ego or vengeance, but in the deeper current of *non-harming*, empathy, and justice.
Key Insights:
– Yogic activism is real: The Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Śaṅkarācārya all demonstrate that one can act powerfully in the world while rooted in peace and truth.
– Personal and collective Dharma must align: Right action is both personal and systemic. The *yamas* and *niyamas* form the ethical base for any social action.
– Anger is not the enemy: There’s a difference between ego-driven anger and what we can call *compassionate anger*. When guided by discernment, anger can fuel justice without destroying peace.
– Clarity is everything: Ask yourself, is anyone harmed by my action? Is my motive selfless? Does my action include empathy? Who benefits?
Final Reflection:
Yoga does not ask us to look away from suffering. It asks us to meet it, patiently, courageously, compassionately. *Kṣānti* is not retreat; it is the steady flame that lights the path through fire.
Let your patience be powerful. Let your peace be bold. Let your action be rooted in love.
