AHIMSA means literally NON- HARMING OR "NON-VIOLENCE"

Ahimsa is an ancient yogic principle from the vedas of nonviolence which applies to all living beings. The word “ahimsa” translates to “non-harming” or “non-violence” and guides us to live in a way that cultivates a sense of peace with ourselves and the world around us.

It is a key virtue. Questions like the following can come up: What does respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others mean? What does it mean to me? Practising ahimsa basically means not to harm oneself OR another living being physically, verbally or mentally. In a more positive sense it means loving and respecting all creation. It implies an attitude of well-being for oneself and all living things.

Ahimsa is one of the “Yamas” as described in the ancient Vedic texts. (Veda means in Sanskrit “Knowledge”. The texts are a collection of poems or hymns composed in archaic Sanskrit by Indo-European-speaking peoples who lived in northwest India during the 2nd millennium BCE, roughly around 1500 -1200 BCE.)

“Ahimsa” as described by Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtras encourages us to be conscious of our thoughts and actions. By strengthening our awareness, we can make healthier choices and avoid negative thought patterns as only then can we practice ahimsa. Our thoughts, words and actions have to be in harmony with one another.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.”

Mahatma Gandhi

What is it when I say “to do no harm”? What kind of lifestyle do I lead? Is it in accordance with what I say I value? What industries do I support with my lifestyle? Where am I pretentious?

WHAT DOES NON VIOLENCE IN ACTION LOOK LIKE?

Ahimsa has a trifold application – by word, thought, and deed. How often do we think something and not say it out aloud? Imagine if all our thoughts were visible to the world – we would run away from some of our own thoughts! In the ancient yoga sutras Ahimsa is not merely looked at in our actions, but more importantly, in what we say and how we think. All three parts were equally important and necessary to have a balanced, tranquil attitude that a seeker should develop walking the path of Yoga. If we could create harmony between our words, thoughts, and deeds, then our being would be purified and all of our energy could be utilized to walk the path of Yoga.

And what is the path of Yoga? Yoga is a path of liberation, and liberation has to begin in the here and now of our daily lives. We have to liberate ourselves from our own self-made prisons. These are prisons of attachments, concepts and habits, and the compelling forces of mechanical reactions and untested beliefs.

Let’s be mindful of our thoughts, words and actions.
Let’s reflect on what respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others mean and take some time every evening to reflect on the day - to go back through the day as if somebody had filmed us and we see ourselves from the perspective of the outside observer, rewinding the day from the end of the day back to the morning when we woke up and see from the outside witness how our thoughts and interactions throughout the day were. Was I respecting others and myself? How could I act or react differently in the future in some situations?