What Ancient Yogic Wisdom Teaches Us About Violence
Maybe there’s a reason it’s the first of the first of the 8 Limbs of Yoga
Yoga philosophy is vast. Some scholars believe it’s roots began over 10,000 years ago, but much of it is lost in our modern world, with exception to philosophical/educational institutions that geek out on this type of thing (like me).
But there is one yogic text, the Yoga Sutras, that is still alive and well in many yoga circles. Approximately 2000 years old, it outlines the 8 Limbs of Yoga — practices and ideals that help us ‘live our yoga.’ If this is new to you, read this article about the 8 Limbs as an over-arching spiritual structure.
In nearly all cultures and religions we find similar themes of moral right-living, and the 8 Limbs are no exception. But it’s not a religion, nor is it dogmatic. Rather it’s a set of suggestions that direct you to live a more fulfilled, free life.
Or more succinctly, as Barbara Stoler Miller writes in her book, YOGA, Discipline of Freedom: the yoga sutras attributed to Patanjali, “the text is neither a sacred scripture nor a historical artifact, but a set of philosophical analyses that probe timeless dilemmas of cognition and obstacles to spiritual tranquility. Patanjali is not engaged in a search for new knowledge. Rather, he seeks a new perspective on the nature of knowing — a way to clear the mind of accumulated experiences and memories that bind us to a world of pain.”
As physical beings, we are bound by our bodies in certain ways. The 8 limbs looks at the limitation and offers ways to transcend our awareness beyond our physical structure.
The 8 Limbs begin with the Yamas, or moral restraints — things we should avoid or abstain from. And the first Yama is Ahimsa, or non-violence. Seems pretty straight-forward, right? Ahimsa turns us from harming ourselves and others, to kindness and compassion for ourselves and others.
Most of us know we shouldn’t harm others, and I think we try not to. But what about the ways we harm ourselves?
I can think of a few ways I harm myself that seem harmless until looking more deeply — I procrastinate which harms my work life. I avoid looking at the ugly parts of myself which keeps me in a karmic loop of harm. These are just two small examples. There are many many more, and probably a lot I’m not even aware of.
And what about compassion? Do we live in a truly compassionate world?
I believe there is more good than bad in the world, but the truth is that our world can be harsh, judgmental, even hostile. I believe that much of that stems from our notion of separateness and the ego. It all begins with self.
You don’t have to be a yogi to practice the 8 limbs, at least not the first two — and yoga was never meant to be a stand alone practice anyway. Yoga practice (asana, the poses) was developed to condition the body for meditation — long stillness practices. And these stillness practices examine our minds. They teach us about the true nature of Self.
Okay, okay. I don’t want to get carried away here. I am writing a book — you can read more about these concepts and ideas once it’s out in the world. I hope you will! Let’s get back to the topic at hand, Ahimsa.
When we harm ourselves, we harm humanity. We put wounds upon the collective psyche. Ahimsa says love yourself. Love others. See the world as a connected place because it is.
Here is a short mindfulness practice you can do with Ahimsa every day, a Practice of Compassion:
Just like me this person is seeking happiness.
Just like me this person is trying to avoid suffering.
Just like me this person has known pain, loneliness and despair in their lifetime.
Just like me this person is trying to fulfill their needs.
Just like me this person is learning about life.
Kinda puts it in perspective, right? We really are all doing the best we know how.
‘Til next time, watch the ways you harm yourself and others. I bet there is a lot under the surface you’re not even aware of.
Can you be kinder, gentler, more aware?
In what ways are you not compassionate toward yourself and others?
Use this practice to soften. Breathe into it. The world is counting on each of us to do our part.
Thanks for reading. Did you enjoy? Please tap the 💚 to recommend it to others. Namaste …
ABOUT & OFFERINGS
Hi! I’m Heather, a writer and yoga educator from SE Ohio. I share daily-ish here as part of my spiritual practice, and am working on my first book, Yoga Prayers. Download the first 25 pages, A Prelude to Yoga Prayers, for a brief introduction into yoga history and philosophy — and let me know what you think!
