Newsletter #7 - Exploring the Yamas—Ahisma: Nonviolence

I’ve been thinking a lot about violence this week. I’m sure many of you are, too. How does it start? What puts the desire for violence in one’s head and heart?
 
Obviously there are a lot of different answers to that question. In yogic terms, nonviolence is called Ahisma. It is the first pillar in the Sanskrit Yamas and Niyamas—or the ethical guidelines of yoga. These principles help us to show up as our best selves both on and off the mat.
 
When we think of violence, or nonviolence, we tend to think outward—on our actions vis a vis other people. But Deborah Adele, author of the book The Yamas and Niyamas, has terrific insight on how it begins inward. She writes: “Our inability to love and accept all of ourselves creates ripples—tiny acts of violence that have huge lasting effects on others.” (WOW! I reread that quote a number of times, and let myself fully digest it. Feel free to do the same.)
 
Following Adele’s logic, nonviolence begins with how we treat OURSELVES. We need to love and accept ourselves first, before we can pass it on. Think of a time when you had faced a big problem. Did the voice inside your head speak to you lovingly, supportively? Or did it chastise you? And have you ever avoided the issue altogether by trying to “help” others?  It takes a certain amount of courage to look at ourselves and begin our work there.  Take the story of the well-meaning monkey who “saves” the drowning fish? Wouldn’t just sticking to his own affairs have been more helpful?
 
The question is; how do we face our imperfect selves? If we can’t face ourselves with all of our flaws and then be kind to ourselves, how can we be kind to others?  If we can’t be patient with ourselves, how can we be patient with others?  If we can’t give ourselves the benefit of the doubt, how can we give it to others?
 
Self love and self generosity is the key to living a peaceful life, a life in which we are gentle and kind toward others.
 
Obviously, we can’t solve all the problems in the world. However we CAN attempt to unapologetically be who we are, and live our lives with compassion and nonviolence. In doing so, we model the same behavior in others.