Ahimsa - what is it? Ahimsa principle. Indian philosophy briefly

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

The principle of non-violence, as well as not causing harm to any kind of living beings (neither deed, nor word, nor thought) is called ahimsa. Today, the basic ideas of this kind of philosophy may seem to some unacceptable for survival in modern conditions, but even Mahatma Gandhi said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how it treats animals.” And here it is worth thinking about where humanity should go in the era of scientific and technological progress.

The greatest human virtue is ahimsa

If you think about whether such an ideological basis as ahimsa is acceptable for a person today, what it is for each of the people, many questions and contradictions can arise in the head. But one thing is clear: if an individual decides to change for the better and takes a pious and vegetarian lifestyle as a basis, he will no longer be able to neglect this view. His behavior will clearly show the desire to live in harmony, respect for the whole world around.

Ahimsa - a practice for the strong in spirit

Love and compassion for people is one of the fundamental principles of this spiritual practice. In "Bhagavad-Gita", one of the most revered religious texts of the Hindus, says that no one should be harmed, you need to be friendly and help those in trouble. Also, you should not be proud of your achievements, position in society, property, family, wife, children. You need to be calm in joy and in sorrow, patient, satisfied with what you have and not trying to get more.

Culturality Development

Special attention deserves such a principle of ahimsa as non-violence, referring to the first of the Yamas in yoga. He combined both the non-killing of animals and the practice of vegetarianism. Here the words of the great Russian philanthropist and humanist L. N. Tolstoy, who called for people to live according to high moral and spiritual principles, would be appropriate. He said: “A society that treats animals badly will always be poor and criminal. From killing an animal to killing a human is one step.”

It is important to understand that the refusal to eat meat and other products of cruelty is not yet an indicator that an individual has become related to a virtuous philosophy. Its concept is actually much broader.

Ahimsa and practice

Indian philosophy is very useful for modern man to study. Briefly outline the rules to be followed in ahimsa.

Vegetarianism

This is the initial and easiest practice. But for some, there are pitfalls here, and all because a person mainly absorbs the food thatresonates with the vibrations of his inner state. The ancient sages spoke about this, the modern scientific world adheres to the same opinion.

Eating meat as food is a veiled desire to commit violence, and through vegetarianism, this tendency can be safely eliminated. The main thing here is not to fall into several traps that lie in wait for inexperienced practitioners: a sharp transition from one diet to another can cause he alth problems, such as intoxication, especially in older people. It takes time to cleanse the body of cadaveric toxins accumulated in it for years.

Forcing yourself not to eat meat can lead to psychological discomfort, which will provoke an internal rejection of this food system. The transition from one product to another should take place consciously, naturally. Vegetarianism under pressure will not last very long and will not bring any results in terms of spiritual development.

Non-violence against the outside world

This includes the refusal to harm everything around, not only in actions and words, but also in thoughts. Some people think that it is very difficult to perform ahimsa, that it is impossible for an ordinary person. But specific methods for comprehending this practice will help here. In this case, meditation is used. A person should relax, enter an abstract state and concentrate on the heart center (Anahata chakra), after which mentally you need to start pronouncing affirmations:

- "I love everyone."

- "I wish everyone happiness."

- "May all beings be happy."

You can use other similar good treatment, invented by yourself. At the time of such meditation, you need to monitor your inner state. It is important to be concentrated, focused on the present moment, not to drift away into reflections, not to succumb to drowsiness.

Non-violence against oneself

Here it is not recommended to fall into excessive asceticism, any kind of self-flagellation. "Spiritually advanced" masochists are offered meditation on each organ of their body, where love and gratitude are sent to it for its service to man. At this moment, you need to imagine how he rejoices and smiles at the attention shown.

Indian philosophy can be comprehended throughout life, it is not so easy to briefly convey some of its aspects. But it is important to single out the main thing for yourself: when comprehending Unconditional Love for everything around you, first of all, you should not bypass care for yourself.

Mindful meditation on a form of violence

Here comes an analysis of how we are violent in everyday life. It is necessary to think about how to eliminate these negative aspects. This practice is one of the most effective in mastering Ahimsa.

Ahimsa: what is it for modern man?

Knowing the concept of Divine Love is not as easy as it might seem at first. It has nothing to do with the traditional understanding of love. History has revealed to mankind the lives of the greatest missions, prophets. Jesus was crucified, Mohammed was stoned, the great SufiMansur indulged in such cruel torture that his skin even peeled off. Almost all the saints had enemies, but by their ascetic life they showed that the most important thing on the spiritual path is non-resistance even to those who yearn to harm.

Life-giving power of Love

Deeper immersion in the practice of ahimsa gives an understanding that the enmity complex needs to be eliminated. Non-judgment, non-resistance to evil by violence at first glance seems illogical. To some, at first, Ahimsa may seem unfair, that it is too helpless and unjustified for society. But the revelation of this kind of compassion in oneself is already a step of a high level of realization on the spiritual path.

Gradually, anyone can approach this through awareness of the impulses of their mind to condemnation, discussion. Here it is necessary to be loyal, positive and all-accepting to everything that one has to face in everyday life. Anger, hatred, malice, malevolence will give way to such a quality as Unconditional Love, there will be an awareness of the Universal Cosmic Unity of Life. It is not easy to develop such a virtue in oneself, but it is possible, and everyone should strive for this, for, as Christ said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will have mercy.”