Ahimsa or non violence is the foundation of all yoga philosophy. Most of us might think we are not violent people. We don’t go around bullying or hurting others or animals. We are loving and giving, and would never want to do any harm.
However, there are many ways that we unconsciously do “violence” on ourselves.
How often do you stay at your desk to get through your work without a break or refreshment? Are you pushing yourself to exhaustion?
Is your self talk kind and supportive, or do you judge yourself harshly and put yourself down?
To paraphrase Gandhi’s words “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Being forgiving and compassionate to yourself is the essential step to practicing ahimsa in the world.
This is fundamental for all of us on the path of yoga.
We must start with ourselves and allow the past damage of inner violence to heal.
Everything starts with our awareness of it.
Here are ways to bring about more awareness and change.
Decide to commit for one day to notice your internal conversations. Take time to journal and capture your thoughts.
At the end of the day. What did you notice? Is it time to change your conversation?
How can you start every thought with kindness?
An other practice is Loving Kindness Meditation. If your usual meditation is guided or based on mindfulness or mantra, commit to a loving kindness practice instead.Choose words that resonate with you.
May you be happy
May you be healthy
May you free of trouble and the causes of trouble
May you live your life with ease
Find Your Middle Ground 
☺️🙏 sending kindness om shanti 🕉
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Thank you Hedy. I read your comment as sending kitties …. I had an encounter with a wonderful feline earlier today. I am allergic to cats, but she really wanted to share her sense of connection. Kitties and kindness can go hand in hand 💕
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😂🤣☺️🤓😻☺️ kindness to you dear Val❣️
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Beautiful post, Val. It all begins from within. 🙏🏻💕
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Thank you Carrie 💕 everything that opens us up and helps us grow begins within. May young people also start to appreciate this 🙏
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Beautiful and inspiring! 🙂
Thank you writing your blog Val.
Your wisdom is improving my life, and I am grateful.
Warm Regards,
Paul Kruse
Vermont, USA
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… and of course there is a typo in my comment lol.
Correction: “Thank you FOR writing your blog!”
(I suspect this error is a good thing, for it reminds me that I am human and far from perfect). Blessings-Paul
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Errors in the small stuff and acceptance of what really doesn’t matter …. is such a big part of our journey. From one reformed controlaholic to an other. Thank you 💕🙏💛
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Thank you Paul. 💛 Typos are for us to learn from too 😉
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Beautiful post, Val. You’re a wonderful instructor. ❤
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Thank you dear Jill 💛
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I really needed to hear this today. Thank you.
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Thank you Linda 💛🙏💛
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Thank you! The loving kindness meditation feels like magic to me, every time.
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Love your comment Karen. Thank you 💛
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A beautiful post Val. Interesting… once again, we are aligned. My blogpost today is about my role as a Creativity Activist — the foundation of which is self-love.
Hugs and gratitude.
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Thank you Louise 💛
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Very sound
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Thank you Derrick 💛
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Beautiful and inspiring post, dear Val ❤
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Thank you dear Irene. Peace to you 🙏
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Thank you Val ❤
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Good on you, Val; this is great stuff. I can vouch for metta being an incredibly powerful practise, with far-reaching effects and enduring benefits. It took me a good while to realise as much, and to see how ignorant I was to have been sceptical initially. H ❤
For any interested readers: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/buddharakkhita/wheel365.html
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Thank you for sharing this wealth of wisdom … and your one experience. So appreciate the shared knowledge and your presence 💛🙏💛
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Good reminder, Val. I can push myself pretty hard sometimes. 😉 ❤
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Lighten up and be kind 🙏 what a wonderful message for each of us and humankind 💕
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Yes, indeed! ❤
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One of the most important things I learned once I was forced to take early retirement due to chronic illness and pain, was to be kind to myself.
I now have the opportunity to stop and listen to my inner self and slow down. I now can stop feeling such a ‘wimp’ for not being able to keep up with healthy fit folk.
Being kind to yourself is just as important as being kind to others and your post has a very important message for everyone.
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I’m right there with you Vicki. Our stories are very similar. ❤
Blessings,
Paul Kruse
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Thank you for your wise and kind words Vicki 💕
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Sidenote: Very strange: I can post comments in this wonderful blog but whenever I hit the “like” button it never works. As a former computer software developer this both fascinates and annoys me at the same time LOL. Blessings to all – Paul
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Beautiful Val, and so true. When we change ourselves, we change the world. you’re right, we have to start with ourselves. Show by example rather than preach. Excellent post. Anita.
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Thank you Anita for sharing your wisdom 💛🙏💛
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Thank you, Val, for your kindness.
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And you for yours dear Ann 🙏
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It’s been 20+ years since I eavesdropped on my internal chatter for t the first time. As I tuned in and listened, I was shocked at some of the thoughts which swirled around unchallenged.
If anyone else had said the same or similar things to me, I would have thought them “unkind” (at the least).
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The judging angry thoughts to others and ourselves always come as a shock and are difficult to admit to. Embracing our shadow side is a direct attack on ego, and a life changing practice. Thanks for sharing Nancy 💛🙏
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I’m doing my best to consciously listen more lovingly to myself. Thank you for the beautiful meaning behind ahimsa and kindness. I am drinking this in, Val.
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So glad this touched you Debra. Thank you 💛
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Ah, thank you, Val. Just the reminder I needed today!
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Thank you Vicki ❤️
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So good, Val, I’m saving this one… ❤
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Mindfulness in any case is key. ❤
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So true. Thank you Bela 💕
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Very inspiring. Love this.
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Beautiful post. Several years ago, when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, it was very difficult to get into a diabetic diet. And I used to be angry and resentful that the “can’t eat” list was so long. I was stewing in it until a friend told me, “Why do you keep saying, I can’t eat that; it is not allowed? Why don’t you say, I CHOOSE to eat this.” While my first instinct was to berate this as being corny, I realised it is a powerful way of changing internal talk. When I say, “I can’t; it is not allowed,” I’m playing the victim card. I’m telling myself that I’m unlucky, powerless, and unloved. When I say “I choose,” I am empowered, I am taking the control of my body back into my hands and I’m being purposeful.
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What a wonderful story and example of how our thinking and the words we use can impact our ability to grow and expand into the fulness of life. Thank you 🙏
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