I have a hippie heart. From the time I was able to formulate a political philosophy, I have been a peacenik. Jesus calls on us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we follow that, then how on earth can we practice violence? One of the yamas of yoga is that of non-violence. Its not just war or crime, violence constitutes so many different things. Practicing non violence includes practicing non-violence toward yourself. Non-violence factors into choosing what you eat, choosing what products you buy and what kind of car you drive, even.
Non-violence factors into my daily life, when I make a decision to kill a bug or by my actions or words, kill a spirit. The constant mental chatter is subject to either violence or non violence, depending on whether or not I want to live a happy, positive life. When I focus on positive self talk (practicing non-violence), things just go so much better.
For many yogis, the practice of non-violence has translated into non-violence against animals and eating a vegetarian or vegan diet. For others, it means choosing free range, grass fed, humanely killed meats and dairy products. For others, it means shopping local and organic.
I choose to use non-violence to also build up those around me-to love my neighbor (and family). I have limited my contact and exposure to the toxic people in my life, because that it is practicing non-violence for myself. I share love and compassion with my husband and son, because that it is practicing non-violence in my family.
The possibilities are endless. How could you practice non-violence in your life?
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