What? What is that? Ahimsa
Ahimsa or non-harming is the first of five ethical principles that form the Yamas or self-restraints in Patanjali's seminal work, the Yoga Sutras. These ethical principles are first found in ancient Vedic texts long before Patanjali set out to codify the yogic path to self-realization. It is part of the Raja* yoga system as the term is used in modern times and is sometimes used interchangeably with Ashtanga yoga. Ahimsa is also the first of the five precepts taught in Buddhism. Before we delve into the concept of non-harming, let's talk about the purpose of the Yamas and briefly list them.
The Five Yamas
The Five Yamas or self-restraints are a set of ethical guidelines meant to help us manage our desires and to create healthy relationships with others creating balance in our lives. Meant to regulate our bodily and minds' desires the five principles known as Yamas are: Ahimsa or non-harming, Satya or truthfulness, Asteya or non-stealing, Brahmacharya or moderation of the senses, and, Aparigraha or non-possessiveness. These five self-restraints, together with the second limb of the eight-fold path of Raja Yoga taught in Ashtanga yoga, make up the code of ethical conduct in Yoga philosophy.
Ahimsa aka Non-harming or Non-Violence
The principle of non-violence applies to all living beings since not only do they possess the essence of divine spiritual energy we also recognize it. Hence, to hurt another being is to hurt oneself. To cause no injury includes deeds, words, and thoughts. When we live our lives by this principle, we create space for peace and trust and, by extension, we reduce insecurity with others as well as reducing the fears that taint the mind.
The Yoga Sutras
Patanjali did not create any of the Yamas or propose new ideas in the Yoga Sutras, instead, he outlined a path of Yoga towards self-realization. During his lifetime and for hundreds of years following his death the Sutras were memorized by practitioners until one day, they were finally recorded in print.
Probably the most well-known modern proponent of the ethical principle of Ahimsa was Mahatma Gandhi.
*Raja yoga - the term took on this modern meaning when the 19th-century Swami Vivekananda equated raja yoga with the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. We can surmise to say that is a misnomer since it has another meaning in Hatha Yoga and other historic and modern meanings as well, including a path of meditation.
