[These days I am feeling more and more that "instructing" appears to be a word indicating inequality - seniors instructing juniors, elderly instructing youngsters to the point that it infringes on their freedom, growth, creativity etc. It is very important to recognize this and nip it in the bud, especially the “so-called” seniors, elders and knowledgeable who assume that they are higher! We need to replace it with the idea of suggestions or appeals or guidelines. Instructions pre-supposes that there may be a difference in level (higher and lower), whereas suggestions are much friendlier. In addition, I have also seen many times the wording and the tone people use in instructions also carry a lot of violence].
We learn so many things in the name of Yoga and its components. But it is also necessary to keep exploring constantly how we can implement this knowledge in our day-to-day life. There are many people who are teaching yoga or are involved in yoga and yet may not realize that in their day-to-day life, they were not able to see the deviation in their own actions from this knowledge.
One such complaint has come to me and made me think about this issue, and I would like to share it with you all. Some people came to me and complained to me that the instructions of these yoga teachers are so harsh that they hurt others. As a result of it, they want to be away from such teachers. Action needs to be taken against them. The student also knows, and the instructor also knows that that is unintentional. But nevertheless, it creates an unpleasant feeling among people. It is not to be dealt with by us as a one-off issue in one situation. It must be dealt with from a philosophical perspective so that this will help us grow spiritually.
While we talk about the concept of Yama, one must always remember that the idea called Ahimsa-Nonviolence is not just at the physical [action] level but it has to come from a very deep level. We should not have Himsa even at the level of words. But the real significance of ahimsa is when we don't have Himsa at even the thought level. After all examples and explanations, I am sure that a lot of people are convinced about it and put Ahimsa into practice. One such word connected with Himsa is the idea of "Instruction".
Intuitively I had some reservations about the word “Instruction”. Probably that's the reason Yoga Bharati has not named the course "Yoga Instructor course" and has named it the "Yoga Teacher Training" program [YTT]. I was delighted. So we have come out of the concept of “Instructions”. Not only that, but we also need to find an alternate word for instructions whenever we have to say “follow the instructions” or “the following instructions are”… etc… Why?
When we say to instruct somebody, it means that I have the position to tell you something and you are in that position where you need to follow. This indicates a pre-supposed difference in level. It assumes hierarchy. The moment there is a level difference, there is always an entry of ego. Its entry is very subtle. Wherever ego enters, it is an unpleasant feeling on either side. In my view, the very idea of instruction has basic violence. Instruction also has expectations behind it. Therefore, it is non-spiritual! If somebody does not follow the instruction then you end up getting upset, angry, frustrated or dissatisfied. This results in giving more harsh instructions next time! It creates unpleasant relationships and situations. In the army and such places, there is command due to the very ranking. But in the field of yoga, it is none of them. There is not even a senior or junior. How can there be instructions? Many a time, we also observe that one assumes, he or she has an unwritten right to give super instructions in the group; over-ruling the other because she or he is senior! Unfortunately, such things disturb harmony and thereby the atmosphere.
A very simple truth is that, if Krishna wanted to give instructions to Arjuna for fighting the war, he need not have spent eighteen chapters of Gita. He could have just given instructions and only one chapter would have sufficed. Our teachers are too eager to give instructions.
The conclusion of all this understanding is that let us not use the language of instructions and let us keep mutual respect, harmony, and happiness as the main ingredients of yoga for the growth of all!
Raghuram. N. V.