In a recent marketing plan from yoga clothing company, Lululemon, they have had an outpouring of praise and unrest and even screaming opposition. All to a not so simple question. Who is John Galt? For those of you that are unfamiliar, John Galt is a character from Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged". Like many books that push the line, this book steps over that line. For many, like myself, this book changed my life. But you must look beyond what seems to be political ramblings and look at the philosophy behind what Rand is stating. Then you get to something truly mind-blowing.
Putting the fact that a company is putting this out there… lets take a
look for a second about the fundamental basis of not only the book
Atlas Shrugged but the principles of yoga, based on classical texts such
as the yoga sutras.
Who is John Galt? He was a man that didn’t believe that people were
entitled to anything and that they had to work hard for what they did
achieve. Some may call this a selfish path but isn’t this a path that
we all should take? Isn’t this entitled mind set what got us all into
the trouble we are in? We must do the work, stand by our work and fight
for what we believe in.
I was driving home and heard mention of this uproar on the radio and
how people are appalled that anyone would suggest those that are
doing yoga are being asked to be self absorbed. “Yoga is a community
building activity” is what they said. And I ask you… is it? In the
Yoga Sutras it never talks about the community action. It only refers
to the work the individual must do. Yes, yoga is a selfish practice.
how lovely is that? Only with the work we do on ourselves can any
change happen with in our community. So in the end, I agree that yoga
is a community building activity but the individual work can not be
overshadowed. We get what we work for. We are not entitled to anything
within our community. If you do the work, you will see a positive
outcome.
Look at the philosophy behind the reference. Yes, Ayn Rand was very
political but that is not the only point. Politics does not equal
Philosophy. The point is that it comes back to philosophy. And philosophy
is sharing of thoughts. It was based on debate and opening your mind to
create conversation. I am not entitled to my own opinion. I will do my
work to understand something deeper then the surface.
And if anything else... congratulations to a company that has opened up the minds of so many to engage us into discussion. Rock the boat and ask those uncomfortable questions that most are to scared to ask!
