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The Future of Humanity: Survival of the Most Spiritual through Meditation

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I relate to you the means to be employed for the destruction of dis-ease;
Without the practice of yoga, how could knowledge set the Atman free?
Inversely, how could the practice of yoga alone, devoid of knowledge, succeed in the task?
The seeker of Liberation must direct his energies to both simultaneously.

– Yogatattva Upanishad verses 14–15

Human evolutionary history is characterized by ever increasing cognitive abilities that provide an evolutionary advantage in terms of survival, success, and procreation. These advances have made us the dominant species on the planet today. Evolution as we know it has always focused on competing and succeeding for resources, procreation and social hierarchy. From the spiritual perspective, the ultimate intention of evolution is more than just fulfilling basic survival needs. This can be seen by the fact that the problems and risks presented by our focus on material evolution now outweigh the benefits because our drive to expand, compete, conquer and succeed seem to be taking us toward the extinction of the planet and the human race as a species. Evolution is now heading into a new phase which can be called survival of the most spiritual. The levels of stress and stress-related illness have become so high that success now needs to be seen in terms of quality of life, self-knowledge and the ability to live in cooperation and community.

Some neurological research supports this through the changes observed in the brain structure of meditators. Research has shown that meditators’ brains lose less gray matter with aging (UCLA Florian Kurth). Research also found that meditation increases the cortical thickness of the hippocampus related to regulation of emotion while decreasing the cell volume in the amygdala which is related to the fight or flight response. In the traditional model of survival of the fittest, this could be a disadvantage, but in an environment in which the true threat is chronic stress and not the saber-toothed tiger, it becomes an advantage.

It was also found that these changes in the brain are associated with improved mood and well-being, which in a stressful environment, promotes not only health but also success in any area of activity.  Meditation also improves concentration and attention, essential skills for success and achievement in any area (Michael D. Mrazek). Additionally, a study found that meditators live longer and have a much lower risk of heart disease and cancer.  These benefits are not limited to meditation but are also true of those who practice any type of spirituality. A study from Duke University showed that for those with any form of spiritual support, rates of serious illness can be up to 40% less. (Harold G. Koenig, M.D)

These studies point to the possibility that the future of evolution, traditionally understood as survival of the fittest, may, in the modern context, mean survival of the healthiest, which, can be translated as those best able to cope with stress. As we have seen, spirituality is one of the best supports for coping with stress.

Spirituality also instills a sense of oneness with creation and a sense of respect for and unity with the natural world. Therefore, if evolution takes us to greater levels of success as a species, spirituality may now be its truest expression and perhaps the only solution for the future of our planet and humanity. 

 Reflection: Is there any other alternative for the evolution of the human species if not through recognition of our inherent wholeness in oneness with all of creation?

Joseph Le Page
Integrative Yoga Therapy

 Get to Know: Mudras for Healing and Transformation

 

 

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as a Journey of Healing

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Understanding the Spiritual Essence of Yoga Therapy with Joseph LePage

Meets live virtually weekly on Fridays from 8:30-11:30 AM Mountain Time

September 23 – December 9, 2022 (12 week, 36-hour course)

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a key text of Yoga tradition. In 196 short aphorisms, we find a compilation of the essential philosophy, methodology and techniques of the Yoga. This text also forms a foundation for the study and practice of Yoga Therapy. In this 36-hour course, we will explore the Yoga Sutras in detail with a special focus on their vision of health and healing at all levels of being. This course is based in Joseph Le Page’s upcoming book, The Yoga Sutras in Practice to be released in 2023.

Areas of Study:

  • Patanjali’s vision of health and healing at all levels of being
  • The nature of the mind in relation to health and healing.
  • The role of surrender and divine grace in healing.
  • The sound and symbol of OM as a vehicle for healing.
  • The impediments to healing and their symptoms, including depression and anxiety.
  • A road map for the treatment of depression and anxiety in Yoga Therapy.
  • The means to promote healing including one-pointed concentration and breath awareness.
  • The cultivation of positive qualities that support healing including loving kindness, compassion, inner joy, and the ability to not take things personally.
  • The five kleshas as the root cause of dis-ease.
  • Kriya Yoga, the Yoga of inner transformation, as a road map for the journey to healing.
  • The relationship between karma and dis-ease.
  • The three gunas and their relationship to stress and dis-ease
  • The limbs of Yoga as the foundation practices along the journey of healing.
  • The inner and outer limbs, relative and absolute Yoga Therapy.
  • The practice of samadhi as a path of healing.
  • Mastery of the five elements as a path of healing.
  • Harnessing the power of the mind and positive qualities in healing.
  • The role of the prana vayus in balancing the physical systems of the body.
  • The chakras as a map for health at all dimensions of being.
  • The role of the senses in the healing process and healing of the senses themselves.
  • The role of the mind in the perfection of the body.
  • Enlightenment, kaivalya, as absolute healing.

Learn more

Each week will include a balance of theory and experience including guided exercises, meditation, and sharing within the group.

Participants will receive weekly material from Joseph Le Page’s upcoming book, The Yoga Sutras in Practice. Participants will also receive weekly study materials and meditation scripts.

Fees, Eligibility and Continuing Education:

  • This course is open to all Inner Peace Yoga Therapy students as well as yoga teachers/yoga therapists from other schools
  • This course is an Elective for all Inner Peace Yoga Therapy students pursuing their 800-hour certification
  • For those already certified as Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), this course offers 36 hours of continuing education via Approved Professional Development
  • Tuition fee $500 payable below.

This 36-hour course will meet virtually each Friday from September 23 – December 9, 2022. Class time is 8:30—11:30am MT each week.

Students are expected to attend sessions live, but each session will be recorded and placed on our learning platform. Students are expected to listen to the recordings from any missed session before the next week’s session takes place.

About Joseph

Joseph’s innate desire for wholeness led him to his first Yoga class in 1973, and his first meditation retreat at the Tibetan Buddhist Samye Ling Tibetan Center in Scotland, with his first trip to India in 1975. He made six subsequent journeys to India for study in Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Ayurveda. He is a graduate of Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy training. His master’s degree in teaching has supported his development of experiential education methodologies.

He founded Integrative Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy in 1993, and is a pioneer in the field of Yoga therapy training programs. He began teaching yoga therapy in hospital settings in 1995 and continues up to the present as Director of The Healthy Heart Program, which conducts Yoga Therapy group programs in public health settings throughout Brazil.

Joseph has been a speaker at major conferences including Yoga Journal, the International Association of Yoga Therapists, the Kripalu Yoga Teacher’s Association, the International Association of Yoga and Ayurveda, and others. He is co-founder and director of the Enchanted Mountain Yoga Center in Garopaba, Brazil, one of the largest Yoga retreat centers in South America.

He is the co-author of the book Yoga Toolbox for Teacher and Students, one of the most widely used materials in teacher training programs in the US and in Brazil, published by Integrative Yoga. He is also co-author of the book Mudras for Healing and Transformation, also published by Integrative Yoga.

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