Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word for "no-harm". It is included in the First Limb of Yoga, Universal Morality, but has strong ties to other eastern religions like Buddhism and Jainism especially.
Now that THAT'S over with, I have the most adorable little sister on the planet. My first memory of her follows my own footsteps and their shadows cast by dim white light on hardwood floor. The clumsy pitter-patter of my feet no doubt disturbs my parents, but not Avery. Two unflinching water-eyes anticipate the daily feat of toddler athleticism I undertake to be closer to her.
She has always been one of the most delightful people I know, and nothing is more exciting than waiting for her to arrive at an airport terminal. Her round soft and encouragingly animate blue eyes are framed by platinum blonde hair making her an instant sensation. She uses her sharpness and empathetic clarity to make herself and those around her comfortable anywhere, and takes her own "flail-ures"(Thanks Berny) with the comic grace and resilience of Lucile Ball. Basically she is my antithesis, and I used to beat her up a lot when I was little.
I have the most fascinating mother on the planet. My relationship with her is one of my most frustrating and rewarding. If you have spent any time around her, you have been caught off guard by reckless yet somehow relatable beauty. She believes in aliens, Jesus, independent voters, and Fox News. My mother is home for me, completely overwhelmed by the responsibilities of a family, daydreaming about a private getaway to Arkansas. She pauses only to listen to my juvenile frustrations with genuine understanding, or to ask if I want mustard on the sandwich I didn't have to ask for.
"No, that's okay." As it has been for twenty-five years. I don't come here just to eat, I promise.
"Are you sure?" She replies from behind the refrigerator door, "I have mustard..."
I don't like mustard, "Okay."
"Do you want me to heat it up?"
"No." Cold sandwiches are superior.
Microwave buttons chirp. "Are you sure?? ... I'll heat it up for you. Oh! ...and I have baked beans! I can put those on the stove if you want..."
My earliest memory of my mother is one of pride: the view from Indian-style watching her playfully lead an adult Sunday school class in a full length technicolor gown. Although her social media profile consists of sporadic Facebook ramblings visible to five people, she never fails to stimulate creative conversation with her sharp criticism and unapologetic conviction. She is a reliable champion and restraint, and I have not always appreciated her services.
Violence towards those we love is another one of those great sufferings life has to offer. God blesses us with proximity to other reflections of Him without removing their ability to disagree with, leave, or otherwise disappoint us. Terror on a global scale stems from the same roots as personal frustrations. Individuals become more attached to an inflated irrevocable scapegoat of a belief or expectation than their responsibility to converse with God daily in response to the less glamorous demands of the perfect world He created... like being polite to people.
Resentment is an easy trap to fall into because an active spiritual life requires tremendous inward effort, and the results usually resemble outward stillness. We are called to constantly guard ourselves from harm while we transform the same energies often blamed for violent outrage into humble disciplined constructive linear accomplishments. This starts with believing that God gave you the ability to neutralize negativity without absorbing or propagating it.
I don't know that the natural order of the world can or should ever resemble peace or outward stillness on a global scale, but I know for a fact that adapting Ahimsa in my own life has made my corner of the world less threatening. As for my Spaghettio's, they are the ones with the little hotdogs in them, and they are delicious; so Ahimsa is a moving target. If this resonates with you, and even if it doesn't...
Namaste :)
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