Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Our country is at war and we are in the crux of violence beyond
comprehension; it is heightened by our fear and our instinctual desire to
protect ourselves. How can we derive clarity about the yogic principle regarding
Ahimsa or Non-Harming? Is it possible in some small or great way we can apply the yogic
principles in all our affairs? This is a significant time in history for us to
delve into the principles of non-harming, non-injury and non-violence.
If you are practicing a yogic lifestyle then it is possible perhaps one can not
change the world but you can effect your immediate surroundings. Recently I went into Barnes and Noble bookstore in my hometown and asked if they
had a section on Peace? The young woman gazed at me awkwardly and asked me to
refine my search. I could not help but think, just a few minutes before, I
strolled passed a large section on War, everything from A-Z. It was apparent
that peace and ethical living was not as popular as violence and war at Barnes
and Noble in Clifton, NJ at that time.
Ahimsa implies
that we restrain from unnecessary criticism and regard other's views and
convictions, we listen to others and approach all situations with an open mind,
even when ideas are not identical with our own. We may not agree but we can
listen. Ahimsa is the ethical principle of non-injury to beings human and
non-human and is based on the
Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, aphorisms written by Patanjali an ancient Indian
philosopher. You might say the sutras are guidelines for living a yogic
lifestyle or an instruction manual for achieving enlightenment through the
practice of yoga. AHIMSA is composed of "A" which means "no", and "HIMSA" which
means "violence, opposition". Practicing AHIMSA infers that one is
refraining from harming
all living beings and this includes our thoughts, words and deeds. AHIMSA
means we do not torture and kill other living beings and we respect all life
forms.
Living a life based on ahimsa could motivate one to eliminate using animal products. In my own life I aspire toward removing animal products from my diet and closet. I am slowly changing everything right down to my choices with, food, clothes, vocabulary and thoughts. When I go shopping for items I make conscious choices for example when I bought my car I chose not to have leather seats and I am looking at alternatives for cars that cause less harm to the environment. I have much growth, I am still evolving, it is a long an arduous journey for me and those like me. I believe transformation happens when there is willingness to acknowledge and change old patterned thinking.
Look at our society and choose to
recreate a new way of thinking toward war and each other,
we must see beyond our differences and understand that we are all striving
for the same things, peace happiness and health of our families and loved ones. Mahatma Gandhi
was disheartened that hateful divisions existed, the scars were evident in
Indian society and he stated, “Non-violence is the extreme limit of
forgiveness. True non-violence should mean a complete freedom from ill will,
anger, hate and an overflowing love for all.” Albert Einstein said
of Gandhi "Generations to come, it may be, we will scarce believe that such a
one as this, ever in flesh and blood, walked upon this earth" However, I
believe, we must have faith, that many more humanitarians like Gandhi exist on
this planet whom carry and propagate such a high regard for peace and
non-violence.
To understand Yoga
Philosophy based on Patanjalis Yoga Sutras, I have briefly outlined the Eight Limbs of
Ashtanga Yoga and they are as follows:
Yama - (ethical restraints)
Ahimsa - (non-injury) we must not cause injury or pain to another being in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Satya - (truth)
Asteya - (non stealing)
Bramacharia - (chastity, moderation, appropriate sexual behavior or celibacy).
Aparigraha - (non-greed or non hoarding)
Niyama - (moral observance)
Saucha - (cleanliness)
Santosha -(contentment or purity)
Tapas - (austerities)
Svadhyaya - (study of the scriptures)
Ishvarapranidhana - (surrender to God)
Asana - (postures or seat, a firm positioning of the body connected to the earth)
Pranayama - (control of life force
generally through awareness of breathing)
Pratyahara - (withdrawal of senses,
non-attachment)
Dharana - (concentration)
Dhyana - (meditation)
Samadhi – (bliss, super consciousness,
absorption into ecstatic contemplation)
Non Injury is mentioned in numerous
sacred texts; not just the Yoga Sutras of Pantajali for example; Siva's devotees do
not intentionally kill or harm any person or creature. Nonviolence, physically,
mentally and emotionally, is their highest code. Full of compassion, they are
never a source of fear or hurtfulness. Nandinatha Sutras: Section 2,
Ethics Sutra 56: Ahimsa is
disciplined behavior towards every living being - Dashvaikalika Sutra (6/9)
*Translations by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Mahatma Gandhi
hoped for a better India. In 1938 he said, “I hope to the last breath that India
will make non-violence her creed, he also stated "The spirit of non-violence
leads to humility. Anger is the enemy of Ahimsa (Non-violence) and pride is a
monster that swallows it up, perfecting non-violence is the highest bravery.
Mahatma Gandhi who was the inspiration behind the civil rights movements of the 60s, stated "True non-violence is impossibility without the possession of
unadulterated fearlessness. It is the law of love that rules mankind. Had
violence, i.e. hate, ruled us we should have become extinct long ago and yet,
the tragedy of it is that the so-called civilized men and nations conduct
themselves as if the basis of society was violence.” While at seminary
Dr. King became acquainted with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent social
protest. On a trip to India in 1959 Martin Luther King met with followers of
Gandhi’s. During these discussions he became more convinced than ever that
nonviolent resistance was the most potent weapon available to oppressed people
in their struggle for freedom. King stated “Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate
multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies
toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil --
hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be
plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
Leaders Speak On Ahimsa
"Someone who
believes in violence and continues causing injury to others can never be
peaceful himself." --Swami Satchidananda". "To be free from violence is the duty
of every man. No thought of revenge, hatred or ill will should arise in our
minds. Injuring others gives rise to hatred."--Swami Sivananda
"The test of ahimsa is the absence of jealousy. The
man whose heart never cherishes even the thought of injury to anyone, who
rejoices at the prosperity of even his greatest enemy, that man is the bhakta,
he is the yogi, and he is the guru of all." --Swami Vivekananda.
"Strictly speaking, no activity and no industry is
possible without a certain amount of violence, no matter how little. Even the
very process of living is impossible without a certain amount of violence. What
we have to do is to minimize it to the greatest extent possible."--Mahatma
Gandhi (My Socialism, 34-35).
Sharon Gannon states, “The universal teachings of
ahimsa apply to all situations, whether we are living in peaceful times or war
times. Violence is never a valid solution for any problem and should never be
condoned”.
At this historical time while we are combating terrorism, I encourage you toward self-inquiry by asking, how can I apply Ahimsa (non-harming) in my life and honor all beings, by adhering to the Eight Limbs of Astanga Yoga as outlined in the Yoga Sutras? In today’s climate humans are committing acts of violence against eachother, the animal kingdom and the planet. We can find alternatives for a diet, we can stop killing in the name of God and we can preserve the beauty of the planet we inhabit. I find Holy War hard to fathom, the definition of the word holy, literally means; spiritually whole or sound; of unimpaired innocence and virtue; free from sinful affections; pure in heart; godly, acceptable to God. War is forsaken to dominate, typically with armed conflict and open hostilities. War is not HOLY! War is an extreme act of violence and the root cause begins with the thoughts we think. Education is key to advocating peace! Pantajali graciously gives a very clear insightful way to change negative thinking he states "when disturbed by disturbing thoughts think the opposite", ahimsa is the ethical backbone for a Yogi.
Felise Berman Copyright ©1994- 2007. All rights reserved. Revised: Tuesday, September 25, 2007
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