Ahimsa

of being at peace, without conflict of thoughts and action, a practice of living at ease within our own lives, and in yoga this is referred to as ahimsa, it's literal meaning is to cause no harm. It begins here, always with ourselves, and involves recognition and prolonged exposure to our true nature, of being at home and at peace within ourselves. This is how we avoid wars, not only by negotiations between nations, but by going directly to the source of all conflict, coming to terms with our own internal dialog, a diplomacy between thoughts of harm and conflict and the healing source of a quiet mind. 

to cause no harm begins with befriending our minds, to being at home with our more silent nature, and recognize thoughts as simply energy patterns that aren't always to be believed. Our true wisdom is thoughtless, intuitive, and inspired, only give to words for an easy communication. Listening to this silent voice, our soul's quiet whisper, and there's never a call that leads to harm, no conflict between wisdom and action. We're at peace, a real and lasting peace. 

this is yoga, the very depth of practice, the principle that lead Mahatma Gandhi to topple an empire and Dr. Martin Luther King to march. It's ahimsa, knowing ourselves and allowing our presence to unfold through the course of our daily living. It's a practice that leads to our own perfection, given a lifetime to achieve what takes place within a moment. Our peace is found right now, this very instant, and it only takes an inquiry of asking what's true and real, and giving doubt to the thoughts that cross our minds. This isn't about being certain, but of entertaining possibilities, listening to that quiet source of wisdom that never leads us wrong. Our thoughts aren't the enemy, and truthfully the realization of peace is within letting go of the concept that enemies exist at all. Most especially that thoughts are the enemy of the mind and most be ended or controlled. Real peace is about befriending ourselves at every level.

ahimsa is not a false sense of optimism, it's not a belief that conflict ends instantly between people and nations, it's not a philosophy but a personal practice meant to heal our own fractured minds. Healing ourselves heals the world, and yes, it really is that simple. If we're at peace with ourselves, and this is a peace that easily and instantly forgives our own transgressions, we're less likely to be at conflict with others, more forgiving to our neighbors, and willing to search for solutions that ease and heal a heated situation. Ahimsa is only concerned with our individual peaceful nature, causing no harm first within and too ourselves, and then allowing it to spread directly from this source. 

peace starts here, our own practice, healing ourselves first. 

ahimsa. 

~

Peace, Eric