Defending Dharma: Why Yogis Must Vote - By Philippe Alexis

Why Abstaining Isn’t a Stand

Many yoga teachers and practitioners choose to not support either presidential candidate, believing the entire system is corrupt and both parties equally bad. Here’s an example from @shantiwithin on Instagram:

The people who profit from a corrupt two-party system will always tell you there is no other way.

They will gaslight and tone police those of us who want to reimagine a country and world that puts people and our planet over profits and corporate greed.

They will play into identity politics that ultimately upholds neoliberalism, coloniality, and capitalism.

I don’t want a lesser of two evils. I want collective liberation for all.

Keep rising, keep resisting. The time for change is now.

A frequently cited reason for this stance is U.S. support for Israel in the current Middle Eastern conflict. To be sure, that war has caused great suffering. A yogi committed to ahimsa — non-harming and the disruption of systemic harm — might feel that abstaining from voting is a stand against this issue.

However, as of October 23, 2024, it remains uncertain which side of the political spectrum is better positioned to advance peace. In fact, a Trump administration could likely worsen the situation; on October 18, Trump criticized Biden for “holding Bibi back.” 

So, if this war is your primary concern, allowing the scales to tip in favor of Trump by not voting certainly will not further your cause.

But even if both sides seem equally unhelpful on this front, many other critical issues are at stake. As yogis, we need to consider these broader concerns as we decide how to vote.

The Dilemma of Engagement

Anusha makes the argument that the two party system is corrupt, but that doesn’t mean our choice is meaningless. This election offers more options than just sitting out or backing a third-party candidate. 

This dilemma of voting disillusionment reminds me of Arjuna on the battlefield in the Bhagavad Gita, where he is reluctant to fight. We are in a similar situation today - thrust into a political fight we’d rather avoid. Arjuna fears that getting engaged will corrupt him. Krishna, however, reminds him that it’s not fighting that taints us, but fighting with selfish motives.

Sitting out is also an action with consequences, Krishna argues. 

The solution isn't to withdraw but to act with the right mindset. We’re called to act thoughtfully, seeing the full impact of our choices.

Moral Parasites

How did things get so dire in the Gita that family on both sides were ready to go to war? The Kauravas, led by a leader who repeatedly broke his word, exploited the Pandavas’ trust for selfish gain. They refused to give the Pandavas even a needlepoint of land, prioritizing power over integrity.

There are parallels to today's Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, whose actions mirror those of the Kauravas. He has manipulated democratic norms, legal systems, and public institutions for his own gain. He has exploited others' adherence to moral principles without reciprocating those obligations. 

These actions are well documented: refusing to accept the 2020 election results (the Big Lie), supporting the J6 insurrection to undermine the peaceful transfer of power, attacking the press as “fake news”, ignoring subpoenas, weaponizing the legal system, politicizing government agencies, creating ethical conflicts of interest, and avoiding accountability at every turn.

In the Gita, the God Krishna clearly sides with the Pandavas against the Kauravas. I believe that, in 2024, Krishna would side with the Democrats. 

Where Ahimsa Stands in 2024

A striking aspect of this election is how much the Republican nominee embodies the opposite of the ethics of the yamas, especially ahimsa. Ahimsa, as we’ve mentioned, is the disruption of systemic harm and the practice of non-violence. 

Trump's ongoing use of violent vocabulary has normalized political violence. He calls immigrants “vermin” and accuses them of “poisoning the blood of the nation.”  The rhetoric is deliberately dehumanizing. He stated that our biggest problem comes from the “enemy within”, who should be handled by the military. 

In contrast, the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has pledged to be the “president for all Americans”. Her policies are designed to reduce harm by addressing the root causes of migration, providing humane and legal pathways for immigrants. 

Where Trump warns his followers that it’s “very dangerous” for Harris voters to identify themselves at his rallies, Harris jokes with hecklers, “You guys are at the wrong rally; I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.” The difference in tone—and ethics—is clear.

Asmita and the Rise of Authoritarianism

The Yoga Sutras describe our afflictions, or kleshas, as obstacles to practice. One such affliction, asmita (egotism), occurs when we mistake our perspective for our essential self. Under the grip of ego, we often internalize our experiences—believing, for example, that being treated poorly means we’re unworthy of better treatment. Or, we may cling to our worldview as the only “right” one, seeing those who disagree as nothing less than enemies.

Asmita fuels the mindset of conspiracy theorists, who cling to a particular outlook and refuse to weigh the evidence. As they surrender their critical thinking to a rigid viewpoint, they abandon their own autonomy.

At the political level, asmita manifests as authoritarianism and, ultimately, fascism. Authoritarianism is the rejection of political plurality, relying on central power to maintain the status quo while undermining democracy, civil liberties, and the rule of law. This fixation on a single perspective — and the exclusion of other views — is asmita on a political scale. Fascism intensifies this with a focus on racial purity and discrimination against a demonized "Other," such as Jews, LGBTQ+ individuals, ethnic minorities, or immigrants. Sound familiar?

This election will impact far more than any single issue, including U.S. support for Israel. Decisions made now will shape climate policy, international alliances like support for Ukraine, relationships with dictatorships, tariffs, corruption, abortion rights, voter access, the Supreme Court, and more. With so much on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

A Call to Ethical Action

The practice of yoga isn't about mastering asanas or achieving enlightenment - it calls us to engage ethically with the world around us. As yogis, we can’t dismiss this election as a “lesser of two evils” and simply sit it out. Just as Krishna guided Arjuna to fight against the unethical Kauravas, yogic teachings, through the yamas and our understanding of the politics of asmita (ego-driven authoritarianism), compel us to defend democratic values. While no political choice is perfect, the principles of dharma and harm reduction compel us to participate rather than withdraw.

Remember to Vote! Go to the polls by 8 PM on November 5 to cast your ballot in person. If you’re voting by mail, don’t wait — the deadline to send your mail-in ballot is Tuesday, October 29, by 5 PM. Be sure your application is received by your county board of elections by that time to ensure your vote counts!

Philippe Alexis offers regular Yoga Sutra talks at MYP. he explores how these ancient teachings apply to modern life. Connect with him to dive deeper into these discussions and discover more about practicing yoga.