Integrity

Integrity means, that our actions are driven by our values. Often easier said than done. When honesty is important and right for us, then we try not to lie. But we may not always be as honest as we want to be. We are driven by  formalities and our ego – the expectations in our job, the competition with our colleagues, family and celebrities. We want to meet the expectations of others and impress them more than ourselves. We want to be part of the in-crowd. To have the expensive car. To make a heap of money. And to get there we throw our values out the window.

The first challenge is to become conscious of ones own values. What’s important to me? Freedom? Honesty? Compassion? Consider the people you admire or envy (yes, we all do): Do you admire or envy them for formalities such as money or status? Or do you admire them for the values they represent, such as honesty, freedom and compassion? Isn’t that what’s really admirable – when people stay true to themselves and their values? That’s what integrity is: To stay true to yourself. C.S. Lewis defined as integrity to do what’s right, even when nobody is looking.

Unfortunately some people make you wonder about values. For example Uli Hoeness, a german soccer manager, who donated money generously, but at the same time evaded taxes on a big scale. It’s a case of cognitive dissonance. When the actions are not aligned with thinking. When I know what’s right and I do the opposite anyways. Often this happens in group situations. And we all do it now and then… let’s not be so uptight, right? But in the end, we betray mostly ourselves. And that causes stress

In our yoga practice we can reconnect with that integrity. On a physical basis it means pulling the strength back into the center to gain stability and security. And from this stability from our inner values we can then create space. It gives us the feeling of freedom and honesty. Observe your attention and where it goes. Does it follow our eyes to what you can see on the outside or can your attention drift, without loosing connection to your inside, your values? Do you throw your values out the window once you’ve set eyes on a goal or can you use them to get there?

A big part of our integrity originates in the belly and the heart. They will tell us when we’re following a stupid idea. But the head tries to argue. We think it’s no big deal to make an exception. But it’s a big deal not to make an expection – to stay true to yourself. Are you doing the right thing? It’s great and empowering to know what you stand for and what’s right.

And when you’re unsure what to do, you can always ask yourself ‘What would Brian Boitano do?’ Works… well… most of the time.