By Keith Porteous-Meade
The first step of yoga is ahimsa, which means non-harming. Why does the path begin here? As Lama Marut said, “The order of the limbs is not an accident… a life without spiritual discipline is just going to be repeated suffering.”
We begin by noticing how we may contribute to harm in the world, whether intentionally or not. This is not about blame or guilt. It is about awareness, so we can make skillful choices. Ahimsa helps us align our actions with what we truly want: peace, harmony, and connection, rather than continually participating in cycles of suffering.
In yoga, actions include not only what we do, but also what we say and think. This is a tall order! How do we practice non-harming honestly without pretending to be other than we truly are? The answer is simple: step by step, day by day. As a Japanese haiku says, “O snail, Climb Mount Fuji, but slowly, slowly!”
Recently, I received a teaching on ahimsa while waiting in line at the farmers’ market. Ready with my reusable bags (basic ahimsa), I became impatient about the wait (not ahimsa), and then judgmental about those around me (definitely not ahimsa). Then the woman in front of me said something kind and appreciative about being there. Her sincerity shifted my mood instantly.
The Yoga Sutras say that when someone is firmly established in ahimsa, hostility naturally falls away in their presence (YS 2.35). Sometimes one kind expression can feel like a superpower. This is why we are drawn to wise teachers and kind companions: their presence reminds us of our own goodness and our connection to something larger than ourselves, instead of being mired in a me vs. the world mindset.
So how do we practice ahimsa in our own lives? In action, it means causing the least harm to others, to the planet, and to ourselves. This includes everyday choices, from caring for the environment to being mindful of what we put into our bodies.
In speech, ahimsa is reflected in nonviolent communication, such as the work of Marshall Rosenberg. Speaking in this way keeps lines of communication open, so that even when we disagree, relationships do not have to rupture.
In thought, ahimsa begins with recognizing how resentment, judgment, and hostility harm us most of all. As Peace Pilgrim said, “When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.”
May this first step of ahimsa bring clarity, empowerment, and joy as we move into the new year, one breath at a time.
—Keith
