Prime Minister Modi of India sponsored the effort to establish June 21st, the summer solstice, as International Yoga Day. This was confirmed by the United Nations in 2014 and in 2018 a group of us from the Gandhi International Institute for Peace requested the Hawai’i State Government to also recognize the day which was approved. We had our first Celebration in 2019 and this was our 8th annual celebration at Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki. I have a long history with India and Yoga traditions and I get requested to blow the sacred conch shell to purify the atmosphere and initiate the event. I’m also fortunate to offer a prayer which I’m sharing with you here…
A Prayer for Yoga Day
Enlightenment without Labels
JUNE 2 1 · INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
[ pause · soft breath ]
Let us pause. Let us breathe.
Let us return to what is real.
On this longest day of light, we gather not to worship a name, but to honor
the quiet intelligence already living within us — the breath that asks for
nothing, and gives everything.
[ breathe ]
May we Reflect — to grow still enough to hear ourselves beneath the
noise, to meet our own minds with honesty, and our own hearts with mercy.
May we Educate — to trade certainty for curiosity, to learn from ancient
roots without losing our modern rhythm.
May we Activate — to carry this calm off the mat and into the world, and
let every breath become a small act of kindness.
May we Liberate — to set down the labels we never chose, to release fear
and comparison, and to stand, finally, free.
[ slow · let it land ]
May we think better, so that we may live better. May we walk our own path,
by our own rules.
[ breathe in ]
We are present.
[ breathe out ]
We are whole.
Namaste.
REFLECT · EDUCATE · ACTIVATE · LIBERATE — Think Better, Live Better