:: September/October 2003 Volume 2/Number 5

NEWS: Yoga Candidate
runs for Governor

By Bob Belinoff

We don't know how many of the 135 candidates running for Governor practice yoga, odds are there are more than a few. But meet a candidate who is making a calm mind and an open heart two of the attributes he would bring to the statehouse if elected Governor in the recall election.

Bruce Margolin
Photo by Vlad Sytnik - www.californiaimage.com

Win or lose Attorney Bruce Margolin, a yoga practitioner for 30 years, is making a case for issues few serious politicians are even willing to talk about. And Mr. Margolin, despite the twinkle in his eye and the chaos in his West Hollywood law office, is very serious indeed. A fiscal conservative and a social liberal, he puts individual rights and human rights at the top of his political agenda, meditation and yoga class at the end of his day.

The candidate's yoga practice today still mainly focuses on meditation, which he does nightly and before all meals. He is a long-time student of Mas Vidal and he also practices at Yoga Works. One of the things Margolin would do, given his knowledge of Constitutional law, is to help turn California into a Haven for the Billion Dollar Holistic Healthcare industry by providing protection from the FDA for both patients and practitioners of yoga and Ayurveda.

Phones ring, interns and assistant rush in and out, suddenly with his name on the ballot there are interviews, press arrangements and a campaign to put together, despite the campaign he's been running for 30 years - to reform unjust drug laws. Margolin is the criminal defense attorney who handled the Timothy Leary case. His relationship to Leary stemmed from his friendship with Ram Das, with whom Margolin traveled in India in the 1970's. Like Ram Das, Margolin gave up his successful professional practice and came back from India re-incarnated, so to speak, as a man with a mission.

Margolin's platform is built on individual rights, prison reform and legalization of marijuana. "Californians," says Margolin, "are tired of seeing people incarcerated over this benign, mislabeled, mis-scheduled, and misunderstood medicinal herb... the drug war is a waste of tax dollars." Those dollars should be spent on rehabilitation and education, he believes. Drug laws and the enforcement of them, including maintaining non-violent offenders in prison costs billions. And billions more, Margolin believes, could become State income, instead of income for drug dealers, if marijuana was taxed. "This is an issue no one wants to touch," Margolin says, "not even my friend Jerry Brown when he was Governor in the 70's."

"Why should you be elected Governor?" I ask him. "My whole life has been dedicated to service, and I know how to get things done." It may not be a movement, but yoga and a new take on how to govern has been quietly sneaking into politics lately.

Interestingly enough the subject is becoming more and more "touchable". Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, a Republican, came out loud and strong for repeal of unjust drug laws last year with national support from both sides of the political aisle.

Maybe the times finally are-a-changin'. Look what's going on in Denver where mediation consultant Jeff Peckman helped put a stress reduction measure on that city's November Ballot. If passed the measure would see Indian music soothing frazzled nerves in city buildings, "less stressful" food in school cafeterias and mass meditation for those who wanted it.

Asked what yoga can bring to politics, Margolin states "The principles of Right Livelihood and Truthfulness. Bring people to a better understanding of karma." While he no longer defends drug cases in exchange for yoga lessons, he is still dedicated to changing the system. Of the 135 candidates in the race Margolin says, most of them want to re-arrange the pieces. "I think enough people are ready to change the game, and I can help do that."

Suddenly it is after seven at night, and Bruce Margolin, Candidate for Governor is running out the door - for a campaign appearance I wonder? "Where are you going?" I ask. "To yoga practice', he says, "Wanna come?" Not today. But I do go home and check out his website: www.margolinforgovernor.com

 

Bob Belinoff is on the Advisory Board for LA YOGA.