Good day, Steemians!
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
The first of eight limbs of ashtanga yoga are the yamas, or codes of conduct. Ahimsa = non-violence is the first of the yamas, so I invite a discussion of that principle with this post.
Personally, I don't care for dogma, nor do I subscribe to absolutes. I’m no pacifist; I believe there are plenty of justifiable reasons to use force against another person or creature. What about an instance where killing one person would save a thousand, or self-defense against a rapist? How about facing starvation vs. eating a fish? And what about the fact that our very own bodies are highly evolved to destroy invasive micro organisms? I doubt anyone would find it acceptable to sacrifice themselves so that Shigella bacteria could live undisturbed in their own guts.
Exceptions aside, I believe non-violence is generally an honorable value, and that a truly worthy discussion of violence begins by looking within:
Negative, angry, violent thoughts and emotions create an immediate reaction within the body that literally damage the systems and cause disease. This is karma! The one who hates is physically harming themselves.
This simple perspective, shared with me by my extremely wise and benevolent mentor, shook me to my core. It changed my life so drastically that I left an abusive relationship and devoted myself to reprogramming dysfunctions within myself. Happily, I found that unplugging from abuser/victim dramas frees up a shit-ton of energy to use for self-love and remodeling the inner landscape! I'm not responsible for how anyone else conducts themselves in this life; if I want to know real love and peace, then I have to cultivate it within myself.
To me, "love thy neighbor as thyself" is not a mere suggestion, but a demonstration of karma. If I love myself, I love my neighbor. If I hate myself, I hate my neighbor. Either way, I'm treating them the same way I treat myself; it's inescapable. It all starts with my own feelings, thoughts, and intentions.
It's nice to be nice to other people or whatever, but to me the real reason to practice non-violence is to love and honor my own health and wellbeing!
When I'm in love and honor of myself and my body, I do not subject myself to the disease that hate and anger and jealousy and judgment and other low-vibe feelings create. And when I'm in love with myself, I can refrain from punching an asshole in the face - even if "they deserved it" - because I don't want that karma playing out in my body, mind, or spirit!
The revolution begins within. --
What are your thoughts on the yama of
ahimsa = non-violence?
ahimsa = non-violence?
💛 Sara!