Ahimsa: Living in Balance with All Beings
Ahimsa Parama dharma: “Nonviolence is our greatest walk of life.”
The yogic principle encourages us to live in harmony with all beings, practising kindness and non-harm in everything we do. It is essential to living an ethical life.
Ahimsa, directly translated from Sanskrit, means ‘absence of injury’. Injury or harm can come from physical actions, expressions, words, and thoughts.
Of all the yogic principles, Ahimsa resonates the most with me, as it is a concept that can be applied throughout almost all of what we do. Read on to find out how I practice Ahimsa every day.
Kindness to all beings
This means all beings! From the tiniest bugs to the food we choose to eat, and to our thoughts and actions toward other human beings, do everything from a place of kindness or love.
Rather than squashing that tiny (but maybe scary) bug, choose to return it to the garden, where it can pollinate flowers and help keep our planet healthy.
Consider eating a vegetarian or vegan diet. Choosing a predominantly plant-based diet is practising non-harm toward animals. Even small steps toward eating fewer animal products can create a better future for our planet and our bodies. Ahimsa can also be practised by preparing food with love and choosing healthy, nutritious foods that nourish our bodies. It may not always be the easiest choice, but showing kindness to your body will thank you.
Our thoughts and actions toward others greatly affect the relationships we build. When we show kindness and empathy, others appreciate it, and it helps us build positive, trusting relationships. A random act of kindness could be a small gesture from one person, but it could mean the world to another. In the words of Florence and the Machine, “You’ve Got the Love”, so share it around!
Kindness to ourselves (positive self-talk, gratitude, and self-care Sundays)
How we think and talk to ourselves determines our happiness and wellbeing. Practising positive self-talk and maintaining a positive mindset helps us recognise our strengths, the incredible things we can do, and stay resilient through challenging times. When the cards don’t fall your way, or you make a mistake, learn from the experience instead of being hard on yourself.
Practising gratitude helps us to maintain a positive mindset. When our mindset is positive, we feel more energised and handle stress better. Positive thinking reduces negative self-talk and, ultimately, helps us be kinder to ourselves.
Self-care shouldn’t be reserved for Sundays, and it looks different for everyone. Some of my favourite self-care rituals include enjoying a cup of ginger tea when I first wake up, walking down the beach with my dog, practising Yoga, taking time in the afternoons to read or rest, and cooking delicious, healthy meals for myself. Caring for yourself is the kindest thing you can do. When you are in optimal health, you have the highest capacity to care for others.
Need an opportunity to practice self-care rituals? Join us for our Yoga Teacher Training courses in Goa, where we will move through a gentle Yoga flow to prepare for meditation. After meditation, we will explore a self-care ritual inspired by Karma Yoga practices. Then enjoy philosophy and anatomy lectures, followed by a refreshing evening yoga practice to rinse, release, and relax.
As we integrate the yogic principle of Ahimsa into every part of our lived experience, we begin to see the world through a different lens.
Love bridges you to everything.