Can an anarchist have a spiritual practice? Opposite spectrums, at first glance, yet with a close look into the core idea of anarchy, paganism and yoga, the three acknowledge the same truth.
Anarchy intends self-rule and self-preservation. Focusing solely upon the individual, with no centralized ruling system; anarchy contains pure individual freedom. The life style of equal respect for each life in regards to each individual’s ideas and passions, no need for centralized rule. No power or life force tells another what to do.
Paganism, an earth bound spirituality, encourages the practitioner to find their own connections with the universe. In the early stages, a student decides what path to follow, and which Gods they want to pray to. All Gods are one, all Gods are the Universe, but they are different representations. (One would not pray to a God of vengeance, or want the vengeful energy, in a love spell.) Often a pagan spirituality has Magick, or spell work. Everyone looks at spell work differently; at times it is viewed as another form of prayer. Magick is the changing of energy or karma, for a purpose.
Yoga has no real definition. It focuses around different scripture writings, mainly the Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and the Eight Limbs of Yoga. At the base is the idea of oneness with the universe, as well as an individual practice which takes on a “to each their own” feel. Yoga non-judgmental based practice, believes that everyone must embark on their spiritual path alone. Only by one’s own deep inner nature can the true nature of the Universe and Self be found. The ‘inner guru’, or third eye, never fails, each universal truth every yogi comes to. The philosophers and instructors help a student navigate threw the murky waters of spirituality. Each yogi determines their own philosophy. Formal yoga schools help educates the prevention of injury, and different scriptures to help navigate.
These ideas parallel. A person must focus on their self, to find a path. When embarking in Magick, one must determine their deities, ideas, and place in Magick. Yoga holds that within the philosophy of oneness within the Universe, the Universe expresses each being individually. Anarchy professes individual freedom and self-preservation. All three encourage an individual’s own path.
Yoga, paganism and anarchy teach that there is nothing more important than one’s own discovery to themselves. In each an individual takes responsibly for their actions, makes their own mistakes and walks their own path.
- Be in the Now
- Paganism teaches one must be happy with what the universe has already gifted them, before they can ask for more. It is in this space of looking around and marveling at the wonderful gifts and beauty of the universe, that a pagan can begin to see what needs change and what the best way of achieving that change would be.
- Yoga: One of the biggest emphases in a yoga class is the idea of being in the now. “No warrior is too far in the future, nor the past. They are in the present moment, and delighted to be so.” A common phrase to hear while in Virabhadrasana (Warrior) I or II. Again you can not gain anything until you are content with where you already are.
- Anarchy, having no tying factors outside of self-preservation, has the freedom to go out and enjoy the gifts in the present. There is nothing to plan for, there is only what is at hand.
- Self Discovery
- Pagans are encouraged to ask themselves questions. Many pagans know that they are to go down the path of paganism early on in their lives, some as early as four or five years old. The ideas and opinions are completely up to the individual student.
- In yoga’s Eight Limbs, the Niyamas (or self restraints) encourages the idea of study in scripture and self observation.
- Anarchy’s self-rule requires one to truly know themselves. A true anarchist is not afraid of following trends, if it is something that they truly enjoy. One can not rule themselves and live by their own passions, if one is unaware of what those things are.
- No Central Power
- Neither of the three believes in a centralized power. There is no one figure head or group of people telling any one of the three what to do.
Freedom and Truth 