Practicing AHIMSA: Living the Art of Non-Violence
AHIMSA — the practice of non-violence in thought, word, and deed. As the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali teach:
“Ahimsa pratisthayam tat samprajnatah”
(When one is firmly established in non-violence, true understanding dawns.)
Practicing Ahimsa is a philosophy, a discipline, and a way of remembering who we are beneath the noise.
The word Ahimsa comes from Sanskrit — a meaning “not,” and himsa meaning “harm.” It is the first of the Yamas, the ethical foundations of yoga as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. But Ahimsa is not just the absence of violence. It is the active practice of kindness, compassion, and conscious restraint — in thought, word, and action.
To practice Ahimsa is to walk gently in a world that often rushes. It is to live in a way that replenishes rather than consumes, to meet life with awareness rather than reaction. It is not a doctrine or a dogma; it is a practice — one that meets you wherever you are.
Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve devoted myself to this practice in many forms — through yoga, meditation, vegetarian living, sustainability, regenerative design, and the quiet work of discipline. There have been times of deep immersion and times of drift — seasons of rigor and seasons of release. Sometimes restraint feels like freedom; sometimes a small indulgence reminds me where true balance lives. Through it all, I’ve learned that the reward of awareness is always greater than the thrill of excess.
“Practicing” is the operative word.
Because this isn’t about perfection — it’s about participation.
It’s about coming back, again and again, to a way of being that is clean, clear, and kind.
Ahimsa is where the path of yoga begins — and where all other virtues find their root. Without it, truth can become sharp, discipline harsh, and even devotion self-centered. But with it, every act becomes Sacred: how we eat, speak, create, consume, and love.
This space — Practicing Ahimsa — is an offering born of that belief.
It is an exploration of how to live lightly but deeply, how to be awake in the modern world without being at war with it.
It is a reminder that liberation — moksha, freedom — begins not in escape, but in awareness.
Through reflection, story, design, movement, and mindful living, I hope to share what it means to practice presence — to live as though every gesture matters, because it does.
Ahimsa is not a finish line. It is a rhythm.
And the more we listen, the more the world softens in return.
Mindful Movement and Presence
Movement is a meditation in action. Through mindful walking, tai chi, chi gong, high-intensity flow, and yoga, dance, golf, tennis, skiing, (really any activity) each motion becomes an opportunity to witness the body, release tension, and cultivate inner balance. Practicing AHIMSA in movement allows one to observe impulses and habits without judgment, fostering grace and, thus, harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
Nourishment as Awareness
Every meal is a choice. Mindful eating, observing habitual patterns, and understanding the subtle connection between food and emotion become exercises in non-violence toward the self. By reflecting on cause and effect — how one food or behavior affects vitality, clarity, and well-being — the practice of AHIMSA becomes tangible, integrated into daily life.
Reflection, Empathy, and Connection
AHIMSA is most profound when shared. Through meditation, journaling, and guided reflection, practitioners learn to hold space for themselves and others, stepping into the shoes of another to cultivate empathy. True compassion arises when judgment is set aside, and forgiveness is not forgetting, but liberation from the weight of perceived wrongs. As Byron Katie reminds us, suffering emerges when we resist Reality with a capital R; AHIMSA is the grace of acceptance, action with clarity, and liberation from harm.
Integrating AHIMSA into Daily Life
From the meals we prepare, to the way we move, speak, and respond, practicing AHIMSA is a continuous path. It is a daily invitation to bring clarity, compassion, and integrity into action. Each choice becomes a reflection of the larger wisdom: that non-violence is not passive, but active engagement with life in its fullest and most authentic expression.
Community and the Ripple Effect
The practice of AHIMSA extends beyond the self. Respect, understanding, and conscious communication within relationships create ripples that touch family, friends, and community. What begins as an inner discipline blossoms outward, fostering harmony in wider spheres of life. In this way, AHIMSA is a living philosophy — a commitment to honor life, in all its facets, through every interaction.