Remembering Ahimsa (non-violence)

Hello! We are back for another month of intention setting. In my classes each month, I try to weave in a new intention. So this month I thought we’d work with Ahimsa. It is the first of the five yamas (restraints) of the great sage Patanjali's eightfold path as described in the Yoga Sutras. The yamas are translated to social controls. Ways of thinking about modulating in the world where we are the most conscious and present as we can be for ourselves and for others. “Himsa” (pain) rises out of fear and fear leads to insecurity that causes one to feel separate from others, alone, and misunderstood. The “a” in front, negates that, so ahimsa, translates to “not causing pain.” This happens by letting go of fear and that misunderstanding that we are separate from others.

I thought we could work this week on not causing pain for ourselves. So this concept of our lower “self” (physical form, mental body, emotional body). What are we doing on a daily basis where we are maybe, unintentionally, causing our “self” pain? Maybe being critical of our “self.” Or noticing that our intensions behind our actions are NOT helpful and they can actually be very harming for our “self.” Our thoughts and actions might be causing us pain. That can look like, “I shouldn’t have done that,” or “I shouldn’t have said that,” or “I’m too much or not enough.” Try finding a sense of kindness behind your words for your “self.”

I know that as I’ve been on this practice for a decent amount of time now (~23 yrs)… those thoughts don’t come up as often, but when they do, I get to look at them and get taken a back by them. “Oh, I still have those thoughts… they are still there!” And that’s ok! But when we are allowing ourselves to take a moment of pause and notice when those thoughts are coming up more often or they are a little sharper than we would like them to be, or more critical… just watch. Just be the witness to the thoughts arising. Notice… and then ask yourself, “can I not cause pain for myself by letting got of those thoughts?” See if that works for you we’ll be back next week for more of our discussion on remembering ahimsa- not causing pain. We don’t want to be violent or causing ourselves pain, so sometimes just having that reminder is helpful.

Have a great rest of your day, namaste