The yamas (5 restraints) and the Niyamas (5 observances) are the
first two limbs of Astanga (eight limbs of yoga). The other limbs in order are: asana (poses); pranayama (breathing);
pratyahara (tuning out sensory distractions); and the last three limbs are
turning inward (meditation) as follows:
dharana (choosing an object); dhyana (focusing on the object); and Samadhi
(object receives full attention).
Ahimsa (Nonviolence)
Ahimsa is the foundation of the yamas and niyamas. Without the practice of ahimsa the other
yamas and niyamas fall apart or away.
The practice of ahimsa is to live with kindness in our thoughts, words
and actions. It is to eliminate the
negative thinking. Whether that thinking
it aimed towards ourselves, towards others or objects, we should try to eliminate
any thinking that devalues.
The first step was to observe my thinking, words and actions
and then recognize when I veered off the path of ahimsa. My observation was, not surprisingly, that I
frequently had negative thoughts about myself.
While I had negative thinking about others and certain objects and didn't
always use words and actions centered on kindness and compassion towards those
either, my primary negative thoughts, words and actions were with regard to myself
and my current weight and body image. “I
don’t like the way my body looks.” “I
need to lose weight.” “I am not sexy
anymore.”
While watching a recent episode of Duck Dynasty, I heard Phil talk about how his wife is like a 14th
century art paining, in which all the paintings are of beautiful “plump” women
and not of bony, skinny women. It
reminded me of my recent visit to the Minneapolis Art Institute, where I saw
hundreds of renaissance art pieces, where the women, angels and men were ALL a
little on the plump side, and very, very beautiful. Perspective is what gave me my negative self-outlook. While society’s current definition of
beautiful may not “fit” my body, my definition does. My body preforms beautiful actions and
processes every single day. It carries
me from place to place, guarantying I will always be right where I am
needed. It houses and protects my mind, heart
and soul. It processes the food I put
into it, uses it for energy and eliminates the toxins. It creates a space to give others a welcoming
embrace. My body is a beautiful
thing.
When I would observe the negative behavior towards myself, I
would stop, apologize to myself and correct the behavior by reminding myself of
the positive qualities I had forgot about.
At the beginning, I was apologizing a lot! These behaviors were like habits and it took some
practice to correct this. I still find
myself get caught up in the negativity.
However, I am able to observe these behaviors much more quickly.
Ahimsa is to live with kindness, complete kindness, in the
way you touch the earth, in the way you feed the soul and in the way you hear
the spirits sing.
Namaste!
Isshe
