Cause No Harm

A person holding hands to their heart

The concept of Ahimsa comes from one of Yoga’s guiding texts, The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Ahimsa’s direct translation is non-harming. It’s also often translated as non-violence, but we can think of it as having compassion for all living things including ourselves. Those of us already on the path of yoga may find it easy to refrain from the harm caused by physical violence. But through the study of ahimsa, we begin to notice and avoid the more subtle forms of harm as well. Harm can come through actions, words, and even thoughts. We can harm those close to us, strangers, or ourselves. Examining the subtleties of ahimsa help us to live in right relationship with everyone and everything around us. It can also help the planet by adding peaceful, compassionate energy back into the planet.

Let’s examine this concept first with a real-life example of how to practice non-harming. The current political climate has shown an increase in anger and fear making ahimsa an even more crucial practice. Anger with or without violence often stems from fear; they go hand-in-hand. When we meet these emotions with more of the same, situations escalate. Instead, attempt to show up in the world with either calm or curiosity. Let me explain.

Calm doesn’t mean weak. It actually takes a lot of strength to remain calm. Calm diffuses fear, and it’s non-reactive despite anger. Not only does calm allow for space, but calm also allows our responses to be more thoughtful and skillful, even when people have a polar point of view. If you remain unflappable, the other person’s feelings have a chance to diffuse.

Next, curiosity opens up understanding. Try asking yourself what is at the heart of the other person’s anger, or why are they thinking/feeling/behaving this way? Remember fear breeds anger and violence. If you can trace back to the root cause of the fear, then you may have a chance to understand. Understanding doesn’t mean you agree, support, or condone their thoughts. Instead, understanding leads to compassion. You do this for yourself and for others in order to diffuse hate and keep from adding more fearful energy into this world.

Ahimsa can also be practiced more personally and internally. One of the subtle ways we may cause harm is self-inflicted. We sleep too much or not enough. We eat too much or not enough. We eat things that make us feel terrible, watch things that make us feel terrible, and are in relationships that make us feel terrible. If we can honor ahimsa by making a change to our habits or situations, then we should attempt to do so. If we cannot make the change, perhaps we can alter the way we think about things, so it causes us less pain.

Reducing negative self-talk is a good example of how we can alter the way we think cause less pain. We tell ourselves all sorts of things, such as, “I’m too fat, too skinny, too stupid, too old, too (insert your favorite negative thought here.)” Catch yourself in these harmful thoughts and examine them. Ask if it is really true, and how you know it is or isn’t.

Harm can be subtle. Look for it in the dark corners of your soul, and then uproot it by staying calm and curious, with yourself and others. Create compassion for all.