The Valu​e of Ahimsa

"We have built a boat and mistaken it for the sea" S Santorelli

The idea of Ahimsa is one of Patanjali’s paths of Yoga revelation and sits as the first Yama or restraint. The concept of ahimsa and its observance stabilises the boat as we continue our journey into unchartered water and is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘hims’, meaning to strike and himsa is injury or harm. A-himsa is the opposite; non -harming.

To practice ahimsa is to embrace nonviolence to all living beings, including yourself. Ahimsa is a multidimensional concept that envelopes attitudes to our self and others. What we ‘think’ can be just as harmful as how we behave and our opinions and judgements pay a key part in our actions and the life we lead. In this way observing ahimsa is far more than not overstretching on our mat in a particularly vigorous yoga session. Kindness to ourselves as we practice asana is a great way to introduce this concept in an accessible way but the more we continue our journey, the deeper the levels of the concept are revealed.

‘I think therefore I am’

This statement form Descartes proved his existence and was the conclusion of soul searching and doubt into the reason for human existence. Within Patanjali’s paradigm there is no doubt as to why we exist. The cycle of rebirth continues until we reach a state of enlightenment. Stilling the thought waves of our mind (BK1 V2) holds the key to calming our mind and revealing that place where doubts are irrelevant and our consciousness is united with all that there is, was and will be. This begins with realising our connectivity and unity with all.

Practicing Ahimsa brings us into contact with kindness and compassion. This journey begins with our self. How do we talk to our self? Do we berate our self and tell our self we are not good enough? Do we think we should do more, be more, have more? Can we (quickly) name ten things we love about our self? Is it easier to love someone else before you? The practice of ahimsa begins with our self because how can we love, value and be truly compassionate to others if we cannot feel it to our self?

Our thoughts, opinions and judgements play an integral role to the life we lead and the way we treat others. Our thoughts may make us who we are but this does not mean we have to have to be stuck in the same negative thought patterns. Sometimes we judge our self and others harshly, sometimes our opinion may be brutal but when we come to work with and understand the concept of ahimsa we begin to ‘know’. In that ‘knowing’ we gain perspective and can learn to not get ‘caught’ up in destructive emotions and opinions. We all judge and we all believe we know better sometimes. Practicing ahimsa allows us to see another’s point of view and perhaps more importantly to realise that only some battles are worth fighting for. Anger and resentment only poison our self.

"We have built a boat and mistaken it for the sea" S Santorelli

Our small rowing boat holds all our judgements, beliefs and opinions but the vast ocean exists regardless. We can choose to hold on to what we think is best or we can embrace life and live with understanding and compassion. Then our boat will become the sea. Practicing ahimsa takes us outside of our thoughts and into a world of moments where we care and listen, understand and trust that we are part of something far greater than what we think.