In The Yoga Sutras, an old and very helpful book on the teachings of yoga, we are given 10 suggestions for more “soulful” living. These are the Yamas and Niyamas, and the first one, Ahimsa is said to be the only one we really need to really know. If we could master the art and discipline of non-violence, all the rest would fall into place. Today, let’s take a look at how we do harm, often without even knowing it.
I’m guessing that since you’re the kind of person who would sign up for a 30-Day mindfulness practice, you’re probably not out punching people, or doing any physical violence to the world. At least I hope that’s true. So let’s look at some of the more subtle ways we do harm. Let’s start with the way we treat ourselves…
Let’s start with our relationship with our own body. This body. The one that has been sitting, and breathing, and being aware. This body with its strengths, its weaknesses, its perceived flaws and its beauty. The body that has walked, hugged, cried, laughed, felt, pushed, pulled, and loved. The only body we get…at least for now.
Today’s meditation will ask us to look at the ways we do harm to our own body. And asks us to spend a whole day practicing kindness and compassion to the wonderful miracle we live within.
And now the practice of yoga begins…
Namaste.
**Photo by Ester Marie Doysabas on Unsplash
