Inside Yoga 92 (6/12/13)
Today across the world people are mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela, who died last night aged 95, and although this might not really relate to meditation, there is a link, plus, I want to mark his passing with a comment.
Like many in this world, I am one person who has been affected by Nelson Mandela. In the 1980s I was a student and one of the hot topics of this period was the anti-apartheid movement of which I was an active supporter.
I remember being in London, it must have been 1984 or 85, for a very large demonstration against apartheid and at the same time, a call for the release of Nelson Mandela. It was so huge and it really felt like apartheid could be stopped – though it didn’t for many years.
I vividly remember watching his walk to freedom in February 11, 1990. I watched on TV the live broadcast of his release – Nelson decided to walk out of the prison instead of being driven out. Watching him being released was made even more fascinating due to the fact that we, the general public, did not know what he looked like at that moment. The image associated with him date back to the 1960s when he was put in prison. The South African government had banned his image and use of it – and did all it could to prevent up-to-date photographs of him reaching the public domain. He was a non-person while in prison.
As radio reports have commented today, we saw a granddad emerge from prison in 1990 – he was 71 – far from the image of a terrorist some called him.
The other major surprise, that I experienced when I watched his release were my tears, because up to that moment, I had not realised what this man meant to me. I had campaigned like many for his release, but I didn’t know this would lead to such strong emotions.
As time rolled by, and we saw him become president of South Africa, I followed his journey in public life. I also read his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom and was left very moved and inspired by the story and the person. As the years went by the world witnessed Nelson Mandela’s humanity, humbleness, and compassion – such a contrast to the picture put out prior to this of a ruthless terrorist. And many expected an angry and vengeful man to emerge from prison.
The pattern of my reaction to seeing, reading or hearing anything about him remained the same, my emotions welled up. This happened today as I listened to the stories people offered about the man. We as human beings need inspiring figures in our life, whoever they might be, and it appears that one person who is part of my personal history and make-up is Nelson Mandela.
These people are there to wake us up to what is important to ourselves, and this is where I find the link with yoga, meditation and spirituality (with a small and personal “s”). Waking up to our true nature, and waking up to what is important to us, is a crucial part of meditation and self-discovery.
Meditation also teaches us to have an open heart, feel empathy and compassion. Nelson Mandela taught many people that this is possible, and he embodied this principle in the way he lived his life after release from prison.
