Nonviolence Begins In The Mind

There are days when things just do not seem to go right. It is as if the day begins to snowball from one challenge into another. Attitude can stop this snowball effect or change it into a full-fledged avalanche. Everyone knows a person that seems to be continually faced with hardship. The person exudes a wounded quality that begs sympathy. We have all be blessed to know at least one person, that despite the worst life can throw at them, they are positive and focused on making the world and the lives of those around them better. It is all about the mind.

Like–minded people gravitate towards each other. That originates from the idea that we are all interconnected. The essence of a person has no gender, race, age, or education level. It just is. When you think a thought, you connect to all the others around the world thinking the same thoughts. When you speak, you connect to all the others saying the same thing. An excellent example is people who associate themselves with a particular political party.

Ahimsa means non-violence in thought, word, and deed. When you adopt this value, it starts within. How do you think, speak, and act towards yourself? Negative messages such as, “That was stupid”, “I can’t believe I did that”, and “I am not worthy of…” are violent. While it is equally important to provide an appropriate amount of rest for the body, providing physical activity is a necessity to good, life-long health. Neglecting a physical activity regime goes against ahimsa. Eating fast food, food full of chemicals, animals treated inhumanely, or eating without mindfulness is simply destructive to the self.

Once ahimsa has begun in the self, it begins to seep into all aspects of life. By opening oneself up to compassion, expanding one’s capacity for love, allows those within and around our life to grow into a similar space. This is not about religion or spirituality, while many do share this same value, it is truly about being present.

A client recently shared her experience at work with negative co-workers. This is often more the norm than the exception to the rule. Discussing the situation, she expressed her exhaustion at trying to do everything in her power to change the environment for the better. In some cases this is possible. However, the only person that can be changed is yourself. In being present at work, in the family, wherever, the practice of mindfulness and compassion is of extreme importance; looking for the ways to love those not acting lovable. This is the complete opposite of reacting from a place of fear, prejudice, judgment, or anger. Those emotions automatically create defensive nature. It becomes a cycle. When approached from this place of presence, it diffuses the potentially volatile situation. It creates peace.

Ahimsa is such a seemingly simple value. In practice, its simplicity is complex. Its layers are deep. Its results are amazing. To begin integrating it, simply become aware of thoughts, words, and deeds- both action and reaction. From this awareness, make a conscious decision what to do with that information. As Gandhi stated, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Namaste,

Wendy Reese