Most of us when we hear about nonviolence, we automatically think of Mahatma Ghandi. Mohammed Karamshad Gandhi, as his real name is, is considered a prominent figure in India's struggle for independence, who has declared passive resistance to British colonialists.
"The use of force may at times seem to do good, but it is only temporary, while the evil it causes is permanent," is one of the excerpts attributed to Gandhi who acquired the Mahatma name - in Sanskrit means "magnanimous" "- because of this attitude.
The UN established in its honor on October 2, the day it was born, as the International Day of Nonviolence.
What Ahimsa means
What many may not know is that what Mahatma Gandhi did was to apply one of the basic principles of yoga, the so-called "Ahimsa", that is, non-violence.
The first of the eight paths (Ashtanga Yoga) of yoga are the ethical principles (Yamas Yoga), which consist of five rules for relationships with other people and the universe. One of these ethical principles is non-violence, which in Sanskrit is called Ahimsa.
If we were trying to literally attribute the word Ahimsa, we would say it means "no injury".
Injury is not just about the meaning of bodily harm to other people. Many times we get used to saying that words hurt.
And indeed it is. There are words, behaviors and thoughts that can hurt, turn into the worst weapon.
It's time for action
Like anything that leads to self-improvement, the principle of non-violence needs to "work", it takes time and effort.
In theory, Ahimsa's principle may seem simple. But there is a gap between theory and practice.
Perhaps a good start is to realize that when we cause pain to others, we suffer for ourselves and perpetuate a vicious cycle. Think of how much more free you will feel when you know that you have not hurt anyone. When you can literally sleep in peace.
After all, as another saying attributed to Gandhi says: "The ability to forgive is a virtue. The weak never forgive!'
By Dr Angel,
Αggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc Health Psychology
insta: dr_aggelikikoskeridou_official
