Ahinsa is the practice of non-violence and compassion towards every living thing in your daily life.It is both passive non-violence and active compassion.While this term is often used by yoga enthusiasts, you can practice it on and off the mat at any time.Ahimsa is a journey that can be tailored to your needs, wants, and values.You can begin to improve yourself and others right away.
Step 1: When you make mistakes, be kind to yourself.
Everyone makes mistakes.Instead of talking to yourself, remind yourself of your strengths and positive aspects.It wouldn't make a friend or a family member a bad person if you made one mistake.Say something like, "I made a mistake, but I'm only human."I should forgive myself, too, because I would forgive someone else for making this mistake.
Step 2: Allow yourself to be forgiven by others.
When someone does something wrong, it can be easy to be passive aggressive or annoyed, but practicing Ahimsa is all about compassion and peace.Think about how you would like to be forgiven when your loved ones make mistakes.Take a few deep breaths and walk away if you feel angry.Give yourself a break because this can take some practice.
Step 3: Even when you get angry, keep a level head.
If you get mad easily, try to take a few deep breaths and remain calm.If you need to step away for a few minutes to collect yourself, you should because you can cause harm to someone with your anger.If you mess up once or twice, don't beat yourself up, it's a learning curve.Taking a walk, counting to 10, drinking a cold glass of water, and practicing meditation can help you calm down.
Step 4: People will benefit from the doubt.
It can be easy to blame someone when they make a mistake or wrong you.As you practice Ahimsa, remember that everyone is dealing with their own struggles and try to be compassionate when you react to others.It's important to remind yourself that you are not the only one who is having a tough day.It is possible that someone snapped at you at the grocery store because they did not sleep last night.If your friend was short with you on the phone, it was probably because they were having a bad day.Even if it seems like it at the time, things like that are usually not personal.
Step 5: Let it go.
If you are still angry about it, holding a grudge can be very difficult.If you can forgive someone in your mind so you don't think about them anymore, you'll feel better.Forgiveness can be done on your own time, and you don't have to say "I forgive you" when you are ready.
Step 6: You can give back to your community by volunteering.
By volunteering your time, you can bring good back into your community.Pick up trash along the side of the road, or help out at a shelter.Whatever you do, you will be helping your environment, and you might meet some cool people along the way.If it benefits your community, you can do any type of volunteering.
Step 7: Local food and ethical eating.
You don't have to cut meat out of your diet if you practice Ahimsa.You should be looking for food that is local, produced ethically, and good for your body.You can cause less harm to those around you with your eating practices.It is a good place to start looking for local food that is in season.You are cutting back on your carbon footprint by eating locally.
Step 8: To care for the earth, be eco-conscious.
caring for the place that you live means doing no harm.If you can, try to reduce the amount of plastic you use, take public transportation, or plant a garden in your backyard.It will make you feel more connected to our planet if you look out for mother earth.Go vegan for a few days out of the week, start a compost pile, buy ethical clothing companies, and reduce your travel by airplane.It's every little bit that counts.
Step 9: You can give your money to a charity.
Find a charity that supports cancer research, protects animal rights, or cleans up the environment.If you can, try to give a small amount of your income to the charity as often as possible.You can find local charities in your own community.
Step 10: You should surround yourself with people who are non-violent.
You don't have to seek out other people who practice Ahimsa, but you can find friends who share your values.They're probably good people to learn from if they also resolve conflicts quickly without drama, don't like gossip, and work toward bettering themselves daily.Some people like that already!Your friends can influence you.You will lean that way if you hang out with people who are angry and violent.
Step 11: Take a break and relax.
You probably aren't focusing on spreading peace when you feel stressed.Take a few moments out of the day to relax, like reading a book, doing a puzzle, or taking a bath.If you feel relaxed and grounded, you will be able to practice non-violence.Do no harm to anyone and include yourself as well.
Step 12: Do yoga with intention.
Think about drawing strength and resolution from your yoga poses as you do them.On the yoga mat, you can think about how you want to live your life without fear or conflict.The Warrior and Lotus Pose are great for setting intentions and drawing strength.
Step 13: You should practice meditation as often as you can.
There are many ways to practice mediation.Take 5 minutes out of your day to just sit and breathe.Bring yourself back into your body by paying attention to your thoughts.If you have negative thoughts, focus on what you are thinking.Being kind to yourself is also part of doing no harm.It is possible to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.As you meditate, it may be helpful to repeat a mantra."Spreading love, spreading peace" can bring you back into the mindset of non-violence.