Ahimsa

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering Ahimsa.

Unto those that hath shall be given, and they shall have abundance: but from those that hath not shall be taken away even that which they have.

-The Gospel According to Saint Matthew

This is a strange paradox, a little-known secret. Jesus isn't speaking of worldly goods. He is speaking of a very rare kind of treasure: the more you draw on it, the more you will have. The more patient you are with people, for instance, the more patience you will have. The more generous you are today, the more generosity you will have tomorrow. The more love you give, the more loving you become.

The principle can be stated in the plainest of terms: if you are selfish with your love, the scant security you cling to will be battered by life. But if you give of yourself freely, your security will be unshakable. Your joy will be limitless. You will always have more to give.

Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran

The homework is to consider the very first precept of Yoga - Ahimsa. Ahimsa translates as non-harming and as Love. In Yoga sutra II.35 as translated by BKS Iyengar it is stated that when one is established in Ahimsa "one’s aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in one’s presence." Practice Ahimsa and see for yourself if others abandon hostility in your presence.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003