Ahimsa: The Power of Non-Harming

In a world that often feels fast-paced and chaotic, the ancient Yoga principle of Ahimsa --meaning non-harming or non-violence -- serves as a guiding light for cultivating peace, both within ourselves and in the world around us. Rooted in the Yogic philosophy of Sri Patanjali, Ahimsa extends beyond physical non-violence to include our thoughts, words, and actions. Profound in its simplicity, Ahimsa has the power to transform your life. 

The Origins of Ahimsa

The message of non-violence is so important that the most revered Yogi sage placed it first. In the ancient text called the Yoga Sutras (which provided the basis for the yoga we practice today), Sri Patanjali set forth the 8 limbs of Yoga which are called the Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dyana and Samadhi.  The first limb is the Yamas which has 5 parts and the very first part of the Yamas is Ahimsa. So, we see that Sri Patanjali believed that this was the starting point essential to establish a secure grounding. Ahimsa is   the very foundation for the remaining Yamas, as well as the other 7 limbs.  Interestingly, all that follows the teaching of Ahimsa serve to flesh out and promote the rich benefits of non-violence.

While many interpret Ahimsa as simply "not causing harm," it is much more than that - it is a commitment to kindness, compassion, and conscious living. Ahimsa asks us to examine how we treat everything: ourselves, others, all living beings and even the environment. 

The importance and wide-ranging effects of Ahimsa cannot be overstated. One of my favorite authors on this subject is Deborah Adele. She frames the importance of Ahimsa beautifully in her book The Yamas & Niyamas (page 21):

[i]n Eastern thought, nonviolence is so valued that it stands as the very core and foundation of all yoga philosophy and practice. It is as if the yogis are saying that if we don’t ground our lives and actions in nonviolence, everything else we attempt will be precarious. All of our achievements and successes, hopes and joys stand on faulty ground if they do not stand on the foundation built by nonviolence.

So, Ahimsa is the foundation from which to build a good and peaceful life.  But how do we do that – especially if we are fully engaged in the common provocations and turmoil of everyday life as householders, workers, parents, students, etc.?

Ahimsa starts with Self-Love 

The best way to be non-violent to others is to feel compassionate and loving. But it is impossible to be authentically loving to another without first being loving to ourselves. Therefore, practicing Ahimsa must start with self-compassion - being gentle with yourself, embracing imperfections and fostering positive self-talk. Self-criticism, self-judgment, and negative thoughts can create emotional harm and may even lead to physical disease.  Many teachers advise that the body follows the mind. In other words, if we have a calm and peaceful mind, the body will respond in positive ways by also being relaxed and peaceful.  But the opposite is also true. Staying calm and centered is an excellent way to love yourself. So, experiment with staying calm and compassionate and notice how it affects you. This is a noble endeavor and one that takes mindfulness and courage.  The courage part comes into play when we feel fearful.

It is impossible to be compassionate and loving when we feel fearful.  Some types of fears are important to support our physical survival (think avoiding a venomous snake). But other types of fears may simply be our reaction to what is unfamiliar and may turn out to be unnecessary. The Golden Rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” comes to mind.  Can we be aware of fear related to the unfamiliar and have the courage to be grounded enough in Ahimsa to practice equanimity even when we don’t fully understand the unfamiliar? Is it possible to give space to an unfamiliar situation long enough to find some balance and peacefulness? I think so.  Perhaps we can start by engaging an attitude of non-harming in minor situations, and then encourage the release of our fears while allowing our Ahimsa practice to gradually expand. 

Ahimsa in Thought

Violence is not only physical; it actually begins with thoughts in the mind. Sometimes the thoughts that lead to violence are clear and you know exactly how they arose. For example, last night I saw a rather large black spider near where I was to sit.  My first thought was to protect myself by killing it.  Then I remembered my commitment to non-harming and was able to bring forth compassion and let it be. The option of taking the spider outdoors was appealing but not within my ability. By following Ahimsa, I was able to accept that its life was as important as mine. We were able to co-exist, but I must admit that I did not sit next to it!

For me, thoughts arise from feelings.  I was afraid of that spider.  The fear led to a thought of violence. With the spider, the feeling was immediate and strong.  However, sometimes the feelings that lead to violent thoughts start in a very subtle way and may go unnoticed until the urge for violence is almost unstoppable. It may be hard to notice the first glimmer of these feelings/thoughts arising in the mind.  But when we do, it is easier to handle them skillfully and possibly diffuse them.  When I am fully present and aware (what is often called mindful), I can notice when a slight wrinkle of unhappiness arises and then investigate it.  I ask myself what is going on?  Why am I feeling this tiny impression of negativity? What would I like to do with it – proceed to anger or choose non-violence? If we are aware, we always have choice and therefore the freedom to embrace Ahimsa.

Ahimsa in Words

Several of my teachers explain that, of our 5 senses, the most difficult to control and therefore the most dangerous is the tongue.  The tongue is hard to control when it comes to eating – we have all experienced that!  But also, the tongue is sometimes hard to control when it comes to verbalizing our feelings and thoughts. Words have power; they can heal or hurt. Speaking with kindness, avoiding gossip, and choosing words that uplift rather than tear down embody the essence of Ahimsa. This practice extends to how we communicate with loved ones, colleagues, strangers and even animals.  I hear my Mother’s voice saying that “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  It seems that the current popular culture finds it fashionable to do just the opposite.  But – at least for me – the harm done from unskillful words not only harms the “other” but results in a negative impression in the person uttering them as well. If my words have hurt another, they have also caused harm to me.  For those times when we are in doubt about how to speak in a non-harming way, consider that silence may be a viable option.

Ahimsa in Actions

The most obvious application of Ahimsa is in our physical actions - avoiding harm to others, practicing patience, and choosing non-violent ways to resolve conflicts. Many also extend this principle to their diet by embracing vegetarianism or veganism, thus reducing harm to animals and the planet. Additionally, mindful consumption such as choosing ethically sourced products and reducing waste aligns with Ahimsa. You may try including some or all of these ways to practice Ahimsa.

Bringing Ahimsa Into Your Life

So, can we come fully into a state of Ahimsa?  In his book entitled The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali (page 84) George Feuerstein says that: 

Non-harming, when cultivated to perfection is an attitude, a state of being, which transmits itself to others to the extent that all feelings of antagonism cease in the presence of the yogin.

That is a pretty tall order for most of us. For me Ahimsa is definitely more like a work in progress than a completed perfection. Maybe it’s okay to start small, doing what we can do today rather than bringing judgments against ourselves. In his book The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (page 123), Sri Swami Satchidananda tells us that “even a bit of Ahimsa is enough to elevate us to a higher state.”  Here are some thoughts on what may be within reach.

• Self-Love: Replace self-criticism with self-compassion.

• Mindful Speech: Speak with kindness and non-harming truthfulness.

• Compassionate Action: Treat all beings with kindness and compassion, whether human, animal or the Earth itself.

• Sustainable Living: Reduce harm to the planet by making eco-conscious choices when possible.

• Yoga & Meditation: Practice Yoga, cultivate inner peace through meditation, and stay mindful to reduce violent tendencies in thoughts and actions.

In Closing

Ahimsa is making a conscious choice to actively cultivate a life rooted in love, understanding, and non-harming. As we live our lives grounded in Ahimsa, we contribute to a more peaceful and compassionate world - one thought, one word, and one action at a time. How wonderful!