The yogic ethic and the spirit of development

On 27 September 2014 the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, appeared in New York before the General Assembly of the United Nations to deliver his first speech to the international political community. As political speeches go, it was rather customary in its grand proclamations, sweeping vision, and declarations about India’s place in the global community, particularly its burgeoning economy and struggles with international terrorism. However, Prime Minister Modi had a surprise for his listeners at the end, when he asserted: Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action;