Ahimsa

A Mission Moment Share from Humble Haven’s Founder, Suzanne Burns

Yoga Teacher Training began last month at Humble Haven—a 200-hour program that dives deep into the history, philosophy, and practice of yoga, ultimately preparing participants to teach upon completion.

One of the first topics of study is yoga’s 8-limb path, beginning with a deep and self-inquisitive exploration of the first two limbs: the Yamas and Niyamas, which offer moral observances for how we relate to ourselves and others.

Ahimsa is the first of these observances. It lays the foundation for the remaining four Yamas and five Niyamas, as all can be traced back to the principle of non-harming. Ahimsa means non-violence—not only in our actions, but also in our thoughts and words toward ourselves and others. To practice ahimsa is to mindfully cultivate compassion for all living beings.

But how do we embody ahimsa when the choices before us seem to inevitably cause harm in some way? Or how do we reconcile with ourselves after learning that what we believed to be a harmless act actually caused harm to another being?
If you read ahimsa as “I will never cause harm to another living being,” consider instead: I will cause the least amount of harm possible, given the information I have available.

We are human, and it's unrealistic to assume that every thought, word, or action will be completely free of harm. Living a yogic lifestyle means committing to an ongoing evolution of awareness. We live ahimsa to the best of our ability, using the knowledge we have in the present moment

Each time we come to the mat, sit on a meditation cushion, or simply take conscious breaths while navigating daily life, we take steps to expand our awareness. The yoga practice as a whole gives us the discipline and internal regulation to keep going as we evolve—learning to meet ourselves and the world with compassion and a soft strength.

How does the practice of ahimsa show up in your daily life?