My biggest takeaway from yogic philosophy is that we are all connected to one another; we share inherent similarities despite our many surface differences. I find peace and optimism in that, and try to incorporate it into my daily life.
But what do you do when you encounter someone whose personality seems to share absolutely nothing with yours? How can you find the connection when someone is actively challenging your notion that any sort of connection exists? This happened to me recently, and sent me spinning into the negative. I don't like feeling belittled; no one does. It's so easy to use your own negative reaction as a tool to harm the other person back--and eye for an eye, as always.
I can't do that. It just continues to undo any ties that bind us. I'm not going to agree with everyone. I'm not going to get along with everyone. And inevitably, I will cross paths with people who will challenge my beliefs. But I can turn back to what yoga teaches: non-attachment. Do your duty, do your dharma but forgo any attachment to the outcome.
Furthermore, Patanjali gives us our four keys for the four locks of people in this world: friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight for the virtuous, and disregard for the wicked. These four keys keep our minds calm, peaceful, and help us to remember that none of us is perfect.
