Living Ahimsa in a Wounded World

Living Ahimsa in a Wounded World

As a Yoga teacher, I often speak about Ahimsa—the principle of non-harming—as the foundation of the yogic path. But living it in real life, especially in a world filled with pain, conflict, and complexity, is an ongoing journey.

Recently, my husband was hurt by someone who was clearly struggling with their mental health. While I understood that the harm wasn’t intentional, I still had to confront my own anger, grief, and difficulty with forgiveness. These emotions weren’t abstract—they were raw and real.

In that space, I did what Yoga has taught me to do: I turned inward.

Because healing, I’ve learned, doesn’t come from avoiding pain—it comes from meeting it honestly, with awareness.We can’t end the wars outside of us until we address the ones raging within.And if we’re honest, we can always find a reason to justify our anger or our judgment. But does that move us forward?

We’re all living through challenging times. A global pandemic, political unrest, environmental crises—these are not just headlines. They’re invitations.They call us to pause, to reflect, and to notice: What within me still needs healing?

For me, Ahimsa isn’t just a philosophy. It’s a practice. A moment-to-moment inquiry:

• Am I speaking to myself with kindness when I fall short?

• Do I extend the same compassion to others in my thoughts as I do in my words?

• Can I resist the urge to react, and instead, respond with presence?

This is not about being perfect.It’s about being honest.It’s about staying awake.

Ahimsa starts not with action, but with awareness—awareness of what drives our reactions, our defences, and our pain.If we want to live in a more peaceful world, we have to do the brave work of looking into our own shadows.

That’s where healing begins.That’s where integrity is born.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing more about the other yogic principles, known as the Yamas. But I invite you to begin with Ahimsa.If we begin there—truly begin—everything else flows from it.