AHIMSA
When I cam across a commentary on Ahimsa. I was left without words.
of course we think of violence, or non-violence as physical affliction. Causing physical or even mental pain with our actions.
but a deeper dive into ahimsa leaves blood on all of our hands.
Any action "Good" or "bad" taken with anger, malice, resentment, judgement in the heart or thought- is a violent act.
This morning I cleaned the entire house. I live with my extended family, as well as my nuclear family. its a long story but I have it that I should not being the one cleaning the house. There are people with the time and energy to contribute that don't. HIMSA. My whole act of deeply cleaning and organizing the home for our whole family.... Violence.
Whats worse? there another layer. I wasn't even doing it for us, for our family. I was doing it to get Great grandma off our back when she inevitably comes to visit this week. I harbored deep resentment as I swepted, mopped, scrubbed and did laundry.
every action an action of violence.
I know Christ talks about this... Its been too long for me to quote scripture.
I often am confront by the more commonly discussed disciplines of ahimsa- vegetarian/ veganism. Fair traded products, being kind to our body in asana practice, not killing anything ever... and I am like... Im a gardeners... what the hell am I to do about all these insects, and rodents?
But maybe I'll put all the on pause.. and focus on ahimsa of thought. non violent mind. non violent heart.
of course we think of violence, or non-violence as physical affliction. Causing physical or even mental pain with our actions.
but a deeper dive into ahimsa leaves blood on all of our hands.
Any action "Good" or "bad" taken with anger, malice, resentment, judgement in the heart or thought- is a violent act.
This morning I cleaned the entire house. I live with my extended family, as well as my nuclear family. its a long story but I have it that I should not being the one cleaning the house. There are people with the time and energy to contribute that don't. HIMSA. My whole act of deeply cleaning and organizing the home for our whole family.... Violence.
Whats worse? there another layer. I wasn't even doing it for us, for our family. I was doing it to get Great grandma off our back when she inevitably comes to visit this week. I harbored deep resentment as I swepted, mopped, scrubbed and did laundry.
every action an action of violence.
I know Christ talks about this... Its been too long for me to quote scripture.
I often am confront by the more commonly discussed disciplines of ahimsa- vegetarian/ veganism. Fair traded products, being kind to our body in asana practice, not killing anything ever... and I am like... Im a gardeners... what the hell am I to do about all these insects, and rodents?
But maybe I'll put all the on pause.. and focus on ahimsa of thought. non violent mind. non violent heart.
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