Ahimsā
Ahimsa
Ahimsa: Not-harming
“The human voice is one of our most misunderstood and misused possessions. We take our voices for granted; we use and abuse it for the most mundane, trivial, and hurtful communications - forgetting to honor it as the divine instrument of cosmic truth within us.” Maya Tiwari, Living Ahimsa, p. 63
The cosmic truth is that we and everything in the universe is connected by a powerful intelligence and loving force that is the cause and support for all life and creativity. There are myriad names for this infinite source of universal processes. I like to use the words God, the Divine, and Higher Power.
Maya’s book, Living Ahimsa, is about harmonious living through Ayurvedic practices. She encourages readers to adopt the “vow of Ahimsa.” The spiritual principle of ahimsa, not harming, is one of the 5 Yamas (guidelines for ways NOT to act) and go hand-in-hand with the 5 Niyamas (guidelines for ways TO act). The Yamas and Niyamas are 2 of the 8 limbs of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga (the practice that makes one “king” (Raj) over the kingdom of their mind). Ahimsa means acting in ways that support health and well-being so that we may contribute to the world in our unique fashions.
Maya Tiwari’s Vow of Ahimsa begins with a commitment to think, speak and act in ways that result in inner peace and harmony. We start with ourselves, and develop our own prayers to be blessed with inner wisdom and guidance for how to carry out daily living in a way that maintains inner peace and harmony, and commits to blessing others as we are able. We can ask ourselves in the morning what we need to do for that day to maintain inner harmony (physical, mental and emotional) and bring peace and harmony to our relationships. To act in line with Ahimsa includes a commitment to treat others, our environment, and the natural world with this same attitude of respect.
“May I/We be blessed with guidance and wisdom today to choose thoughts, words, and actions
that lead to inner peace and harmony.”
Things to think about:
If something is bothering you, accept it, and accept yourself. Accept the fact that you're bothered, then move on from there. Where is the good? How can you increase that? Extend this outward to the other person or situation that you feel troubled by.
Do you, can you, feel grateful for simple, yet important things like your vision and hearing, your teeth, the trees, the subway, or for the fact that you are alive and breathing? Go tell someone what you are grateful for, or write it down and put it in your prayer jar. If there's something bothering you that you don't feel grateful for, put it in there too. Let it go, and trust it will get worked out at right time, and in a way that is best for all involved.
While excellence is a worthy goal, perfection is elusive. We all goof up and make mistakes. If it’s worthy of an apology, go own up with an, “I’m sorry I did that. I spoke/acted wrongly.” If you’re not sure, talk it over with someone you trust. Otherwise, let it go, and keep up with your daily prayer: “May I be blessed with guidance and wisdom today to behave in ways that lead to inner peace and harmony.”
The Loving Kindness meditation of Buddhism is similar. It is simple to remember and say often. In it’s full form, it starts with wishing happiness, health, freedom, and loving connection for oneself, then extends outward from there to loved ones, acquaintances, community members, strangers, and finally, to those whose behavior we find challenging.
As with any prayer, using your own words will have the most meaning and impact, but you can start by memorizing, then improvise as you are moved to.
“May I/we (and all beings) experience happiness,
May I/we be healthy,
May I/we be free from mental/emotional suffering,
May I/we feel loved and at peace.“
Most importantly, keep going. Take it easy. Do your best to cultivate peaceful coexistence and understanding. Consider your words, and use them with respect as you communicate with yourself and others when acting in line with Ahimsā.
