At the core of yoga’s ethical teachings lies ahimsa, the principle of nonviolence extended to oneself, others, and nature. Mahatma Gandhi, renowned for his commitment to nonviolence, exemplified creating change through love and compassion. To lead a love-driven life, it’s crucial to look within and acknowledge our own contributions to the pain and suffering in the world.
Our communication often perpetuates ‘violence’ and division when we present our opinions as indisputable facts and judge others for holding different beliefs. It’s essential to foster understanding and unity by recognizing the diversity of perspectives without labeling them as inherently wrong. And we must have the skills with which to do so.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC), created by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, serves as a framework for cultivating compassion in our connections with both ourselves and others. It encourages the acknowledgment that, as humans, we share a commonality in our needs. In learning these skills, we are called to let go of comparison and judgment and to listen for the underlying human needs behind the words. This shift in perspective allows for a more seamless connection with others, fostering collaboration towards shared fulfillment.
When we dive into the practice of NVC skills, we can see that our ingrained language patterns and the interactions modeled for us predispose us to frequent judgments, which may come as a surprise. And we may also feel quite vulnerable as we are asked to communicate what we are feeling more openly. Embracing this vulnerability requires us to step into courage if we are to connect more deeply and shift the trajectory of separation we have been on.
Another valuable yogic approach that may be of help in the process involves tapping into the personified strengths of Hindu deities. Here, we can call upon the goddess Durga to provide us with the courage and strength needed to undertake actions for the greater good. Durga, portrayed as a warrior goddess with eight arms wielding various weapons, embodies a spirit that confronts challenges directly, confident in her internal strength to champion what is just. A symbol of truth and justice, her engagements in battle are propelled by a bedrock of love and compassion.
The essence that Durga symbolizes resides within each of us. We must simply remember to call upon our inherent strengths, employing the weapons of wisdom, discernment, and courage, and taking actions that align with the best of ourselves.
When we avoid the truth, neglect our own needs, pass judgment internally and externally, and stand by hoping that someone else will save us from it all, we are contributing to violence toward ourselves, others, and our world.
We can face our challenges head on, lead with nonviolence, love, and compassion, and tap into our power to transform our world, one breath at a time.
This week, I invite you to do your best to lead with ahimsa. I will be practicing right along with you. We won’t get it perfect, but if we try, we can make a difference.
Chat again soon,
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