Amal Karl
Auckland, April 7, 2025
Yoga philosophy emphasises Svadharma (Photo Supplied)
Life is full of unpredictable events, people, and circumstances beyond our control.
From the weather to others’ behaviour, uncertainty is constant. However, our response to these uncertainties plays a pivotal role in shaping our emotional well-being and sense of fulfilment.
Control involves influencing events and outcomes, while acceptance means acknowledging what we cannot change without resistance. Learning to distinguish between the two is key to reducing stress and frustration. Focusing on what we can control and letting go of what we cannot is a transformative skill.
The Yogic Perspective
Yoga philosophy emphasises Svadharma, or one’s personal duty, encouraging us to act without attachment to results. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to focus solely on his role as a warrior rather than the outcome of his actions.
This teaching liberates us from anxiety over results, guiding us to control our actions, thoughts, and attitudes while surrendering outcomes to the Universe.
Detachment, or Vairagya, does not mean apathy but helps calm the mind’s chatter (Vrittis), reducing desires and fears that disturb inner peace.
The Stoic Perspective
Stoicism, an ancient philosophy from Greece and Rome, offers similar insights.
Thinkers like Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca taught that happiness depends on how we respond to challenges, not external circumstances. The ‘dichotomy of control’ distinguishes between what we can influence: our thoughts, judgments, and actions, and what we cannot, such as others’ behaviour or global events.
Stoicism teaches that negative emotions arise from attachment to the uncontrollable.
The practice of Amor Fati (Love of Fate) encourages embracing life’s events without resistance, aligning Yoga’s focus on inner peace and detachment.
Proactive action helps in navigating uncertain conditions
The Serenity Prayer
Originating from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, this prayer asks for serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
This prayer provides a framework for balancing acceptance and action, guiding us toward peace, courage, and wisdom – virtues that fuel a fulfilling life. AA members use the Serenity Prayer to navigate their recovery journey. This principle of acceptance and proactive change has helped millions overcome addiction, reinforcing the wisdom of distinguishing between what can and cannot be controlled.
Viktor Frankl and the Power of Meaning
Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, reinforced these principles in Man’s Search for Meaning. He argued that while we cannot control external events, we always have the power to control our response.
His philosophy, known as Logotherapy, emphasises finding meaning even in suffering.
Frankl’s idea of self-transcendence, dedicating oneself to a higher purpose, parallels Yoga and Stoicism, teaching that resilience, acceptance, and purpose help us navigate adversity.
The wisdom of Yoga, Stoicism, the Serenity Prayer, and Viktor Frankl shows that true peace comes not from controlling the external world but from mastering our inner responses.
In today’s fast-paced world, discernment, acceptance, and proactive action help us tackle uncertainty with grace and wisdom. By embracing these practices, we create a life of meaning and purpose, regardless of the challenges we face.
Take summer’s heat, for example. Some gripe about the scorching temperatures, while others embrace the season, hosting barbecues, cooling off with beach swims, or simply accepting that sweating is part of the experience. This simple shift in perspective shows how resisting reality breeds frustration while embracing it fosters enjoyment.
The same applies to traffic jams. Honking, complaining or staring at the GPS will not clear the road any faster. But choosing acceptance transforms frustration into an opportunity, whether by listening to a podcast, practicing deep breathing, or phone call with a friend.
These everyday moments may seem small, but they shape how we handle life’s bigger uncertainties. Just as lifting small weights builds strength for heavier loads, practicing patience and acceptance in minor inconveniences prepares us to face major challenges – job losses, health crises, or unexpected life changes with resilience and clarity.
Amal Karl is the Group Chief Executive of FxMed New Zealand, NaturalMeds New Zealand and RN Labs Australia and the Director of other companies. He is a thinker and Yoga practitioner. He lives in Auckland.
