Focusing on Ahimsa
The Elusive Nature of Ahisma -- Mariska Breland
The yogic principle of non-injury seems, at first glance, fairly obvious. We find community at a yoga studio, surrounded by others who are against war or against yelling at people in traffic. Some of us are against eating animals or squishing spiders.
Non-injury to ourselves, though, is more elusive. We push ourselves too far in our yoga practices or our work, unable to escape our egos when our bodies are telling us to take a break, or a nap, or a day off. Emotionally, we shut others out when opening up would force us to confront something in ourselves that we aren�t ready to handle. We blame ourselves for failures at work or in relationships.
At its extreme, violence toward self can manifest as eating disorders, codependency and depression. In fact, many psychologists view depression as merely anger turned inward.
For December, look at the ways you can practice ahisma in your daily life. Here are 5 ideas to get you started:
1. Find a day where you practice being a human being and not a human doing.
2. Mend old wounds by reaching out to someone you've wronged or forgive someone who has wronged you.
3. Do something nice for yourself. Take a bath. Eat a piece of chocolate. Rub those sore muscles or better yet, get someone else to do it.
4. Give yourself a break and order in, let the dishes pile up, take a sick (of working) day.
5. Improve a negative inner monologue by basking in your own fabulousness. Be as good to yourself as you are to others.
After all, what better way to practice ahisma then to start with yourself?
Ahimsa From the Inside Out -- Julie Schwartz
Ahimsa is the practice of doing no harm. It means abstinence from causing any pain or harm whatsoever to any living creature, either by thought, word, or deed. We often focus on doing no harm to others, but what about the harm that we do to ourselves? Let's look at one of the most devastating forms, the negative thoughts or beliefs that we have about ourselves, what I call our Gremlins.
Gremlins are the source of all of the negative thoughts in our head. Our Gremlins want us to feel bad and waste time by reliving the past, worrying about the future and analyzing the relationships between all sorts of people and things. They want us to believe that they have our best interest at heart and that their primary purpose is to serve and protect us. In actuality they are intent on making us miserable and keeping us from living our amazing lives.
The Natural You, on the other hand, is the source of all things wise, pristinely pure, and deeply happy in you. This is your Future Self and all of your essences; who you are at your core. So, in the spirit of Ahimsa, let's all go Gremlin hunting. Notice when you are fearful, beat yourself up, hold yourself back or use words like, can't, should, must, need, don't deserve, etc. These are all clues that your Gremlins are influencing you. Choose Ahimsa this month and live from the Natural You, a place of truth, trust, possibility and love, instead of from the harmful and debilitating voice of the Gremlin.
December Inquires
1. Walk right past your Gremlins (or send them on vacation) to live into the Natural You and your amazing and powerful life!
2. Personify Your Gremlins.
3. Name them.
4. Draw or write about them.
5. What do they look, smell, sound like?
6. How are they helpful? Harmful?
7. What are they really good at?
8. When do they run the show?
9. How does noticing your Gremlins support you in creating what you want for yourself and being good to yourself?
Contact Julie for more information about life coaching, the New Years Workshop, and other Vivid Living offerings. Email: Julie@vividliving.net or visit her website at www.vividliving.net.
Our Previous Monthly Focuses
The Core
Twists
Relax and Renew
Gods and Goddesses
Meditation
Agni (Fire)
The Yamas
Bakasana
Chaturanga
Bhandas
Saucha
Backbends
Inversions
Chanting
Meditation
Compassion
Impermanence
Chakras
Blissful Hips
Sun Salutations
Warrior Poses
Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
The Breath & Prana |
