Ahimsa: Non-Violence

Ahimsa: Non-Violence

by Amrito Cross

This month’s theme is Ahimsa: non-violence, non-harming, non-judging – and the positive aspect: compassion.  I’m choosing to focus on non-judging because it leads to compassion;  and because judging is what comes before deliberate harm or violence.  Before we can deliberately cause harm to another, we have to have already judged them as separate, less-than or wrong.  In judging (even positively) we are not fully present for the experience in this moment. 

In a culture in which we are trained to only trust and value our analytical, judging, left brain, how can we stop judging?  Practice!  And before we go there, let’s be clear: we need those left brain functions for our survival and for things like balancing check books and knowing to stop at a red light, but we don’t have to have the analytical mind in charge all the time. 

Here’s a simple technique to practice letting go of judgments.  Choose a tree and gaze at it.  If there are none near you right now, you can use one from the picture above.  As you gaze, notice all the labels that come up (tall, short, green, dark, light, healthy, unhealthy, etc.) and let them go.  Continue to gaze, to release the labels (judgments) and simply be present with the tree.  Notice what happens within you and to your relationship with the tree.  When I do this, I find myself feeling more relaxed, expansive and loving.  I feel a loving connection with the tree.  The more I practice this with trees, the more I find it’s possible with everything and everyone.   What do you experience with this tree-gazing practice?