Yoga can be defined as an established set of guidelines and
routines that one practices with the ultimate intention of reaching the
state of Omnipresence. As the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali's
teachings, or suggestions rather, can be considered a 'code of conduct'
for the body-mind-soul unit that assists with elevating individual and
collective consciousness to ultimately reach Omnipresence. Briefly,
Patanjali Yoga is broken down into 2 subdivisions, the Limb and SÅ«tra
divisions, which can then broken down further.
The first Limb of Patanjali Yoga is the Yama Limb, which consists of 5 Yamas, all focusing on practicing good behavior to others. The Ahimsa Yama is the first Yama and translates to the practice of nonviolence towards others in our actions, words, feelings or thoughts.
To introduce the Ahimsa Yama, it is appropriate to first discuss the components of a cause-and-effect relationship where this relationship can be defined as "an action or event (that) will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event." Considering this definition, it can usually be found that the CAUSE of an individuals negative thoughts-feelings-words-actions happens to be something outside of themselves - an actual or perceived offense that ignites a negative EFFECT (or response) in the individuals body-mind-soul unit. An enlightened concept exists in understanding and accepting that it's the individual who chooses to respond negatively, neutrally or positively to outside stimuli and it's the individual who owns their thoughts, emotions, words and actions. Therefore, the EFFECTS (or responses) from negative stimuli can be controlled by the individual.
Typically, and in reference to the Ahimsa Yama, negative/violent actions begin with negative thoughts that are in response to outside stimuli. If these thoughts are not quelled or controlled they eventually, if not immediately, cause a negative emotional reaction, manifesting feelings in the body-mind-soul unit such as hate, jealously, revenge etc. Negative emotions that are not soothed can than be considered catalysts that push an individual further along this chain reaction. How? When one is overwhelmed with negative thoughts and emotions, an outlet is needed, usually in the form of spoken or written words towards the offender / offense; and the spoken and written word is a more dense form of negative manifestation compared to the thought and emotional forms in the body-mind-soul unit. The more these thoughts-feelings-words pollute the individuals body-mind-soul unit (and those around them!), the more one creates and fuels a cycle of negativity which could, and usually does, lead to the physical manifestation of violence / negativity.
The Ahimsa Yama of Patanjali Yoga recognizes this cause-and-effect relationship between thoughts-feelings-words-negative/violent actions, and perhaps what Patanjali is pointing to in this Yama is practicing the act of
Forgiveness and Compassion. When we choose to forgive rather than fret, we take positive responsibility and we choose to be positive contributors to the cause-and-effect relationship; we choose to brush negativity off, like dirt off the shoulder, and we choose to extinguish a cycle before it has time to mature and manifest into many more damaging effects/responses/actions. When we choose Compassion rather than Cruelty, one addresses negativity from outside stimuli with kindness and sympathy, with a heart that recognizes the potential to change a negative cycle and open eyes that accept the imperfections in others and in oneself.
So, rather than choosing to create, maintain or even escalate negative behavior, practicing to choose differently is the aim of the Ahimsa Yama. Forgiveness and Compassion are not easy virtues to develop or practice, especially when events tend to catch one off-guard mentally or emotionally. Practicing the act of Forgiveness and Compassion takes a lot of dedication, understanding and self-love. However, considering the alternative, the hard work to achieve Forgiveness and Compassion, especially in the face of negativity, is worth the act. And the even better news is, once you truly forgive and respond compassionately to negative stimuli for the first time, future choices will take root in these new-found acts; eventually it will become second nature, and old 'response' habits will be replaced.
Ultimately, practicing Forgiveness and Compassion is something an individual should do for themselves because being bound to negativity hurts the individual more than the 'offender'. It keeps an individual stuck in repetitive negative cycles and also leads to the physical manifestation of health ailments, the inability to let go of the past, live in the present and aim for a positive future. If one were to consider the weight of negativity and how it truly affects their quality of life, the negative thoughts-feelings-words-actions of others would have no weight in their own body-mind-soul units, and the act of Forgiveness and Compassion leads one in discovering this divine fact. This is what the Ahimsa Yama intends.
May your journey lead you to that place in your heart where Forgiveness and Compassion dwell.
Namaste,
Anna G Cianci
The first Limb of Patanjali Yoga is the Yama Limb, which consists of 5 Yamas, all focusing on practicing good behavior to others. The Ahimsa Yama is the first Yama and translates to the practice of nonviolence towards others in our actions, words, feelings or thoughts.
To introduce the Ahimsa Yama, it is appropriate to first discuss the components of a cause-and-effect relationship where this relationship can be defined as "an action or event (that) will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event." Considering this definition, it can usually be found that the CAUSE of an individuals negative thoughts-feelings-words-actions happens to be something outside of themselves - an actual or perceived offense that ignites a negative EFFECT (or response) in the individuals body-mind-soul unit. An enlightened concept exists in understanding and accepting that it's the individual who chooses to respond negatively, neutrally or positively to outside stimuli and it's the individual who owns their thoughts, emotions, words and actions. Therefore, the EFFECTS (or responses) from negative stimuli can be controlled by the individual.
Typically, and in reference to the Ahimsa Yama, negative/violent actions begin with negative thoughts that are in response to outside stimuli. If these thoughts are not quelled or controlled they eventually, if not immediately, cause a negative emotional reaction, manifesting feelings in the body-mind-soul unit such as hate, jealously, revenge etc. Negative emotions that are not soothed can than be considered catalysts that push an individual further along this chain reaction. How? When one is overwhelmed with negative thoughts and emotions, an outlet is needed, usually in the form of spoken or written words towards the offender / offense; and the spoken and written word is a more dense form of negative manifestation compared to the thought and emotional forms in the body-mind-soul unit. The more these thoughts-feelings-words pollute the individuals body-mind-soul unit (and those around them!), the more one creates and fuels a cycle of negativity which could, and usually does, lead to the physical manifestation of violence / negativity.
The Ahimsa Yama of Patanjali Yoga recognizes this cause-and-effect relationship between thoughts-feelings-words-negative/violent actions, and perhaps what Patanjali is pointing to in this Yama is practicing the act of
Forgiveness and Compassion. When we choose to forgive rather than fret, we take positive responsibility and we choose to be positive contributors to the cause-and-effect relationship; we choose to brush negativity off, like dirt off the shoulder, and we choose to extinguish a cycle before it has time to mature and manifest into many more damaging effects/responses/actions. When we choose Compassion rather than Cruelty, one addresses negativity from outside stimuli with kindness and sympathy, with a heart that recognizes the potential to change a negative cycle and open eyes that accept the imperfections in others and in oneself.
So, rather than choosing to create, maintain or even escalate negative behavior, practicing to choose differently is the aim of the Ahimsa Yama. Forgiveness and Compassion are not easy virtues to develop or practice, especially when events tend to catch one off-guard mentally or emotionally. Practicing the act of Forgiveness and Compassion takes a lot of dedication, understanding and self-love. However, considering the alternative, the hard work to achieve Forgiveness and Compassion, especially in the face of negativity, is worth the act. And the even better news is, once you truly forgive and respond compassionately to negative stimuli for the first time, future choices will take root in these new-found acts; eventually it will become second nature, and old 'response' habits will be replaced.
Ultimately, practicing Forgiveness and Compassion is something an individual should do for themselves because being bound to negativity hurts the individual more than the 'offender'. It keeps an individual stuck in repetitive negative cycles and also leads to the physical manifestation of health ailments, the inability to let go of the past, live in the present and aim for a positive future. If one were to consider the weight of negativity and how it truly affects their quality of life, the negative thoughts-feelings-words-actions of others would have no weight in their own body-mind-soul units, and the act of Forgiveness and Compassion leads one in discovering this divine fact. This is what the Ahimsa Yama intends.
May your journey lead you to that place in your heart where Forgiveness and Compassion dwell.
Namaste,
Anna G Cianci
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cause_and_effect
http://yoga.about.com/od/theyogasutras/p/eightlimbs.htm
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