Shoba Narayan

On those days when my mornings are crazily busy, I try to take a walk in the afternoon. I have to force myself to take the time to walk on some days, knowing that there is a long list of things waiting for my attention. But the half-hour walk does me good: it gives me equanimity.

I also am trying to watch what I eat, not in a dieting sense, but on a more macro level. I don’t have a list of forbidden foods. I do indulge in the chocolates that I love, but instead of taking four, I try to stop after two.

On those days when I can’t help eating three, I try not to eat any the next day. I try to balance nights when I simply have to stay up till eleven to watch "Sex in the City" by going to bed with my kids at nine the following day. I occasionally do yoga and try to sit in the prayer room and chant at least once a week. I try to do puja on those days when I am not drinking a glass of wine with dinner!

Yoga as moderation is similar to the "middle path" that Buddhism advocates. It’s in stark contrast — sadly — to the religious extremism on the rise in India today. Fanaticism is the antithesis of yoga and indeed, of Hinduism, a religion that — in its original state — is moderate in views and embracing of all.

The Hinduism advocated by Indian political leaders today seeks to marry the Hindu religion with radical western philosophy, warping both in the process. The only hope for India is if the pendulum swings, as it usually does, bringing the country’s political and religious philosophies to a more moderate equilibrium. Until then, it is up to each of us individual Hindus to practice personal moderation in the name of yoga. — Beliefnet.com, concluded