Keep The Fire Burning!

On the same day that George Wallace gave his famous “Segregation Forever” speech, President John F Kennedy gave this speech, in which he proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Only a few hours after JFK’s speech aired on network stations, civil rights activist Medgar Evers was killed as he returned to his home.

I’m drawn to this sad twist of ‘fate’, which occurred on 11 June 1963, as I sit again in Pune, India, returning to study at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute (RIYMI). I reflect upon JFK’s assassination only five months after that speech and ponder the hatred fuelling today’s America and our world.

It’s been a year since I’ve been at RIMYI, and the world has spun 365 degrees to the Far Right.

RIYMI turns 50 this year. It opened its arms in 1975 when I was six. My family had just migrated from Singapore to Perth, Western Australia. The Whitlam government had recently legally ended the White Australia policy by passing the Racial Discrimination Act.

Today, I’m enrolled in a two-week intensive to mark RIYMI’s special occasion.

Looking back through this blog, you’ll notice that during my time here last year, I was optimistic The Voice referendum would herald a new pathway for reconciliation amongst Australians. Sadly, this reality did not come to pass.

This year’s NAIDOC theme—Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud—celebrates the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced. This excerpt is taken from the NAIDOC resource page

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.

It strikes me like a hot iron that Agni (fire) has also run thematically throughout RIYMI’s first intensive week. The week has been unlike the past. It is familial. The group has been initiated with a fondness that has rekindled my Voice from the Heart. I had not realised its silent sadness at the opportunity Australia miserably lost on October 14, 2023.

Please stay tuned over the coming days for an overview of our intensive two week programme.

More importantly, to my Blak, Loud & Proud sisters and brothers, I pay RESPECT to your ancestors and elders past.

I offer my prayers for their wisdom to light our passage through these dark times.

History is certainly crying out for change.
I can only hope that one day, we will realise the fateful error of this current path and strive for positive change.