Friday we began a book club at the Spiritual Deli. The book we are exploring is "The Yamas and Niyamas, Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice" by local author and co-owner of Yoga North, Deborah Adele. For the next 4 weeks we are going to be practicing the first Yama, Ahimsa. Ahimsa is the Sanskrit word for non-violence. At first glance this seems like an obvious ethical guideline. In the book Deborah writes "In Eastern thought, nonviolence is so valued that it stands as the very core and foundation of all yoga philosophy and practice." She goes on to say, "Killing and doing physical harm are grosser forms of violence that are easily seen and understood. However, nonviolence has many subtle implications as well. When we feel hurried, afraid, powerless, out of balance, and harsh with ourselves, we may find ourselves speaking words of unkindess or even exploding with a violent outburst." Becoming less violent involves discerning between fears that keep us alive and fears that keep us from living- fear of the unfamiliar. "It is only our minds that have created the turmoil in our gut and kept us hostage to the possibility of our own lives."
This week practice courage by doing one thing daily that you wouldn't normally do. If you're feeling brave make it something that scare you. See if you can discern between fear and the unfamiliar.
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