25 Ways to Practice Ahimsa (on the International Day of Living Together In Peace)
International Day of Living Together In Peace
The International Day of Living Together in Peace
The International Day of Living Together in Peace urges you to take a moment, breathe and accept others. It encourages each and every one of you to listen to and respect each other and to appreciate the value that you all bring to the human ecosystem.
The International Day of Living Together in Peace was established by the UN in 2017 based on its founding principles. It promotes reconciliation, unity, tolerance, inclusion and understanding among all people. It is celebrated on May 16th.
With all of the chaos and disruption going on in the world today - Covid -19, inflation and great power war, etc. - it is sometimes hard to remember that we are all just people with different points of view. For some reason our points of view get us into trouble and cause pain for countless others.
It’s not just on the global stage that this happens, although that is what the UN is addressing, but what about the misunderstandings and opinions and different points of view in your life?
How it aligns with your yoga practice…
Ahimsa, the first of the 8 Limbs of yoga, helps you with these types of challenges in your lives. Ahimsa is non-harming and non-violence. It is non-harming in all that you do with yourself and others. Visualizing peaceful thoughts or vibes to those who you have difference of opinions or outright hostile disagreements with can go a long way. It frees up your energy of vehement disagreement, frustration, anger and disappointment and points it towards more positive uses.
What you can do to honor it in your practice today…
Here are 25 ways to practice Ahimsa and honor the principles of The International Day of Living Together in Peace:
Don’t look at your news feeds for an entire day. Many times, this continuous check of “bad news” can impact your stress levels, blood pressure and health.
Restrict your social media consumption.
Listen to positive podcasts and audiobooks.
Be mindful of your self-talk and make it positive.
Get enough rest for you and your body type, personal constitution and lifestyle.
Eat a healthy diet based on your body needs.
Eat locally grown food that is in season. Support local farmers in your region.
Serve others through volunteer activities and donations.
Practice forgiveness to yourself.
Practice forgiveness towards others.
Be mindful of the words that you choose and the way that you speak to others. Speak with an intent of kindness and love, even when you are upset. Remember, it is a practice.
Be environmentally conscious in what you buy and how you dispose of what you no longer need.
Be a considerate, courteous driver. Remember, your goal is to get where you are going in a safe and peaceful manner.
Be kind to all that you meet.
Assume that people have good intentions in their actions. Assume that they mean the best, even when the results don’t reflect that.
Accept your life as it is and work to change what you need to. Acceptance allows you to let go of some mental blocks and take action to move forward.
Be mindful of your body’s needs every time that you step onto your yoga mat. Listen to your body, not your mind so that you can get the most out of your practice and avoid injury.
Practice yoga a few minutes every day.
Do not compare yourself to others in your yoga practice. Your practice is your practice.
Practice Peaceful Warrior (Reverse Warrior) - Viparita Virabhadrasana - for 3 breaths on each side. Feel the opening of your chest. Don’t strain…relax into the pose. Some good counterposes are Seated Forward Fold (Seated Forward Bend) -Paschimottanasana or Downward Facing Dog (Down Dog) - Adho Mukha Svanasana.
Focus on your breath to get into the present moment so that you can listen and not think about what you are going to say in a conversation.
Focus on your breath when you feel yourself getting upset or angry. Take deep breaths and make your exhales longer than your inhales to calm down. You can do this standing or sitting.
Take time to relax, ground and center.
Appreciate and celebrate the differences and diversity of others. What can you learn from them?
Be grateful always!
Be mindful of your thoughts toward others, not just on May 16th, but with every breath you take.
How?
Practice…