Walking the Path of the Yamas and Niyamas - Ahimsa

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 14^th 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