Flow Study: Practicing Ahimsa by Kerry Carlson

If you’ve attended one of my classes, you know how much I talk about ahimsa, a central tenant in yoga philosophy. Ahimsa is the first of the Yamas, which are ethical guidelines for living. The direct translation of ahimsa is “non-violence” or “non-harming.” While this guideline does address physical violence, its deeper applications are in the realms of thought, speech, and action. On the mat, ahimsa means practicing self-compassion as you challenge yourself physically. It means pushing away self criticism and harsh thoughts about yourself. Off the mat, the work is similar, but, in my opinion, more challenging.

“Watch your thoughts. Let them guide your words and actions. Let them transform you into a walking offering of peace.”

Remember the playground chant, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? Have you ever physically been hurt? Broken a bone? Twisted an ankle? It hurts a lot in the moment, but years later you no longer feel it. Have you ever had someone say something that hurt you to your core? It stings right when it happens, but unlike a physical injury, it can continue to sting years and years later. That playground chant couldn't be less true. This is the kind of violence ahimsa intends to address.

Remember, too, that violent speech goes beyond the words that come from your mouth. In this age of technology, it also applies to texting, emailing, commenting on social media, and many more ways that we communicate through devices.

So, is the answer to ending violent words to simply not say what you’re thinking? Unfortunately, our thoughts can be the most subtle form of violence and non-violence, but the most important to address. Our thoughts are actually the root of this Yama. Here’s the message that ahimsa is really trying to push. Ready? 

Your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your behaviors, and your behaviors become your character. 

I know, it’s a lot. And it takes enormous intention and practice to achieve ahimsa, but hear me out. It’s very possible.

Pause and think of what goes through your head when the driver in front of you is texting and causes you to miss the green light, or when the person in front of you in the grocery line is taking too long, or when you come home from a long day at work and none of the people you live with have emptied the dishwasher and cleaned up. The thoughts that initially go through my head are often not kind, peaceful, or loving. If your thoughts after such an experience are always loving and peaceful, then congratulations, you have mastered ahimsa! If you are like me, though, and your mind often goes to unkind thoughts—you are not alone. Read on. 

When a frustrating experience arises, can you practice replacing the unkind thought with a loving, peaceful one? When a car cuts you off, can you think “Wow, they must be in a rush for a good reason.” When your co-worker doesn’t respond to your very important email until late in the day, can you think, “They must have had a heavy load today.” 

If you can practice this, it will mold your thoughts and have a direct impact on the way you speak to others. And if your peaceful thoughts turn into peaceful words, there is no doubt that your actions, behaviors, and character will follow suit. You will become the kind of person who enters a difficult situation and, like a small stone thrown into a pond, sends ripples of loving energy to everyone around you. Perhaps you can think of that person in your life who shows up and makes everybody’s day better, who lifts the spirit of the room, who models positivity. Likewise, I’m sure you can also think of the person who walks into a room and sucks the energy out, causing everyone to feel low. Are you one or the other? Are you neither? The ancient yoga texts suggest that it is our responsibility to become the person steeped in peace, to become the person who ripples out love and kindness. The philosophy states that if each of us can master this tenant, the end result will be that all violence will cease to exist. It’s a huge expectation, I know. But imagine if humans could achieve this— what a world we would live in! If you’re  like me and read the often discouraging news of the world, you may think to yourself, “How can I, just one person, make any difference in this world?” 

The answer is to watch your thoughts. Let them guide your words and actions. Let them transform you into a walking offering of peace. Be gentle with yourself as you practice this. It’s a tough one and requires patience with yourself.

As the line of a well known song goes, “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.”

Sending you light and love,

Kerry