Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word that translates roughly to Non-Violence or doing no harm. When we begin to practice ahimsa we choose to walk compassionately through this life. We understand our interconnectedness and make a conscious decision to show up in this world in a gentler and more peaceful way. So we ask, what are ways we can begin to bring ahimsa into our everyday lives?
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Great leaders such as Gandhi lived by the teaching ahimsa parama dharma: “Nonviolence is our greatest walk of life.”
Ahimsa, an ancient concept originating in the Vedas, is commonly referred to as “nonviolence” or "non-harming” but can more literally be translated from Sanskrit as “absence of injury." The Vedas, or “divine knowledge,” were considered authorless and were originally passed down in oral tradition for centuries until a sage known as Vyasa studied and compiled four of the Vedas in written text known as the Bhagavad Ghita. Another sage, Patanjali, is said to have studied these Vedic texts and developed what we know as the Yoga Sutra and the basis of classical yoga’s eight limbs- the Yama (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha), Niyama (Saucha, Samtosa, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Isvara Pranidhana), Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Ahimsa is part of the first of the eight limbs known as yama, or practices of self-regulation designed to free us from being victims of our own human impulses. Yama practices are likened to cleaning techniques for our minds, bodies, and spirits that allow us to live more conscious, liberated lives. But with our modern-day responsibilities and jobs, we may not live ahimsa as a sole way of life. Instead, we can apply and devote our practice of Ahimsa to the many facets of our lives including the places that we inhabit, recreate and enjoy. For instance, we can practice ahimsa in our neighborhood, parks and wild places by practicing "Leave No Trace." Leave No Trace consists of seven principles that form an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors. The seven principles are: 1) Plan ahead and prepare 2) Travel and camp on durable surfaces 3) Dispose of waste properly 4) Leave what you find 5) Minimize campfire impacts 6) Respect wildlife and 7) Be considerate of other visitors. Inflicting injury is not limited to causing physical harm to other people. Words, tones, behaviors, and even our thoughts can turn into weapons if used destructively. Though we can consider physical, word-based, or thought-based forms of harm as separate, we should understand that all of them are inextricably linked. As Gandhi said, “If one does not practice nonviolence in his personal relationships with others, he is vastly mistaken. Nonviolence, like charity, must begin at home.” We are all co-creators amongst this community on both macro and micro levels, and thus it is important to be mindful of the impacts that we might have on our wild lands and how those impacts may affect others. The ahimsa-based practices of pausing, looking ahead, empathizing, and being mindful in our choices move us closer to a more fulfilled and embodied way of living. When we see ahimsa in action, it allows us to maintain a positive connection with ourselves, the Earth and the world. Ahimsa is present and relevant to all, in each of our unique lives. Bringing awareness to it as a practice is key to its continuation and expansion. What is your understanding of ahimsa, and where do you see its positive impact in your life, community, and world? By: Candace Weisser |
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May 2021
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