How to Practice Non-Violence
Nowadays, our life is full of lack of awareness, tension and stress which leads to the mind getting disconnected from our body. To bring back and establish the reunion of mind, body and soul, the great Sage Patanjali wrote the revered text the ‘Yoga Sutra’ thousands of years ago. Here as a man of ordinary life, I am trying to look at this aspect of ‘being good’; Ahimsa, and how much we can apply it to our life.
The (Yoga) Sutras are flowers that form the garland of healthy life. Each one has importance and one cannot be separated from the other. The most important aspects are described systematically in four sections in the Yoga sutra. They are Samadhi pada, Sadhana pada, Vibhuti pada and Kaivalya pada respectively. The five limbs of yoga which are attitudes and external actions namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, are dealt with in Sadhana pada. In this chapter 2.30-2.34 of the Yoga Sutras we are presented with the Yama and the Niyama translated as the rules for one’s inner observances and actions to be followed to make sure that he is ‘being good’ and ‘doing good’ in his life. They are yoga’s ethical guide to a peaceful and healthy living. They are actions and attitudes to promote inner and outer peace and bliss. They create harmony within us and help us find ourselves balanced with respect to the outside world.
Ahimsa is a method of living life non-violently, always gathering kindness and peacefulness in our mind and heart. Even hurting ourselves by going beyond our limit while on the mat practicing an asana is a type of violence. A sudden sharp pain can be an indication of injury while performing some new postures. Forcing actions or attitudes of yoga or anything on ourselves also can be considered as violence. Instead, it should be through proper practices, awareness and understanding. Not only in the conscious yoga practices but also in the life beyond that we can integrate Ahimsa. Ahimsa consciously inspire us all, to live with more peace and kindness. It is a skill that can be practiced, refined or even perfected.
Ahimsa is the first of the Yama. So each of the subsequent Yama and Niyama should be observed through the lens of Ahimsa. This observation can be developed by improving the awareness by asking ourselves a single question before we act. Am I going to hurt myself or any other?
Ahimsa Off the Mat, Through Simple Methods
1. Don’t just grow, but develop through self-care
If we can’t love ourselves, we won’t be able to love anybody in the whole world. If we love ourselves, we should take care of ourselves first. We should aim for wellness with an open mind. If we regularly exercise and follow a healthy and active life, we will start radiating wellness. This needs discipline and strict practices. Once we start this type of self-care regimen we will feel more confident and will start inspiring others. Life is not a race to win. Our journey is our own. Do not compare ourselves with others in any possible way but compare ourselves with yesterday’s self in all possible ways. Observe food as energy and eat food that is good for us. Get adequate sleep to keep us healthy. Be grateful. Let go of what we can’t change.
2. Be gentle even while we think and speak
Practice gentleness in our speech toward all beings. Some time, unnecessarily we think and speak negative about others and ourselves. These thoughts themselves are a form of violence. Some time we curse people in their absence by mumbling under our breath. Isn’t it violence? Though the other person is not hearing us, we cannot help hearing it ourselves. That affects us. Remember that negative language makes us feel everything darker. Positive Psychology theory highlights, ‘neurons that fire together are wired together’. Every challenges will seem as problems without any solutions. When we feel negative thoughts coming in our mind hold it in our consciousness and step back a bit. Just noticing the negativity will help us stop feeding the thoughts and will lead us toward peace
So use the kindest and most compassionate language when we think and speak.
To speak with the utmost care is to live the life of Ahimsa.
3. Treat ourselves the Way We Treat Others
We should be kind enough when we deal with others. But be kind to oneself too. It is as important as being kind to others. After some unpleasant experience it is natural and common to self-criticise and feel sad. Rest of the thoughts and actions will be based on those emotions. This is not the proper way and is against Ahimsa. As we are already broken we need not punish ourselves with negative thoughts. Treating ourselves with love and kindness is the peaceful path.
Please stop and think…
4. Stop judging, Start respecting others
Nobody is wrong in the world. Basically all human is good. Even Truth (Sathya) has different interpretations. What is ideal (hitham) for life (jeevan) is truth. We are nobody to judge others. If we are wise, we should evaluate and judge ourselves. To live a life of non-harm (Ahimsa) and to live with truth (Satya) means to respect how others live and see the world. We have all the freedom to disagree, but not to disrespect. We should save ourselves from developing a mind-set of “better than you” which will block our non-harming way of life. Next time we judge people, will we be aware and notice?
5. Ahimsa advocates to forgive and forget, But for whom?
We know the importance of forgiving and forgetting. We usually think we do it for others. But the reality is different. If we keep the grudge and hatred in our mind, that no way is going to affect the other person whom we hate. As it is in our mind, that emotion will affect our thought process and negatively influence our emotions and health. We are actually doing a favour to ourselves by forgiving and forgetting others who hurt us. So when we forgive and forget we are practicing Ahimsa towards others and ourselves too
6. Fight that fear inside, face it.
We have different types of fear inside us which are constantly punishing us by preventing us from achieving success in our life. How will we fight this fears? We need not risk our life. We only need to come out of normal behaviour of avoiding the fear or running away from it. The better way to fight these fears inside is to face it with confidence. A great feeling of freedom and joy comes from facing fears and trying something new. Will we dare to take a new step to fight for us?
7. Use your head, Buy Wisely
In India many states, especially Kerala has become a consumer state. We do not choose our product, instead corporates decide what we consume. People purchase every unwanted products falling prey to discounts and offers (example is the low quality plastic buckets distributed along with bulk packets of washing powder brands) and discard them in no time. Everything is wrapped in plastic covers (even onion or potatoes are kept as units wrapped in plastic nets) Ultimately these unwanted products, huge quantities of plastic carry bags and waste materials gets piled-up in the nature. No campaign seems to have effect on society to use eco-friendly carry bags or products to control the pile-up or the garbage. Our planet deserves to be protected. Even a very small change can make a huge difference.
Let’s shift from disposable to reusable culture to practice non-violence to the nature and to the coming generations.
8. Give Back to the Planet through Ahimsa
How can we give back to the planet?
We can practice 5R – Remind, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Carry a reusable bag when we go for shopping. Refuse to accept plastic carry bags. We can practice to use only what is absolutely needed. Where ever possible we can buy second hand or preowned rather than buying everything new. We can follow a ‘bloodless revolution’ by becoming a vegetarian. Preserve forests, if at all, whatever is left. Plant trees and set animals and birds free. Start a vegetable garden. Let’s remember and remind the importance of saving our planet, the one and only home for us. Are we up for it?
9. Let that crickets and mantis Go
My friends and relatives laugh at my younger son when he painstakingly lets out the bugs from our house. He never crushes an ant or fly. In my family, my parents, my wife and both my sons, we all follow vegetarianism. This is our example of living by Ahimsa. Will you let those creatures go free?
10. Be an Example
Every moment of our life is an opportunity to turn away from aggression, hatred and irritability, and instead make space within our consciousness for peace. This allows us to let others be who they are, and to perceive the world in a whole new way.
In everyday life practicing Ahimsa off the yoga mat has a greater impact than simply practicing asana with Ahimsa in mind. Yoga practioners should go beyond asana, pranayama and meditation. We should connect with the universe and lead a life for ourselves, others and the mother earth. We should be models for others to get inspired to live a peaceful and meaningful life in the wold filled with pollution, violence, lack of love and carelessness. An example for living life with more awareness…
