Ahimsa. What it means and how we continue to practice

I'm feeling the heaviness of all that is happening in our nation right now deep within my heart as someone who stands for non-violence, kindness and compassion so much that Inner Light Botanicals was built on a foundation with a mission to spread these values.

Ahimsa in Sanskrit means "non-violence" or "non-harming" and it is part of our practice in yoga. This doesn't just pertain to non-violence to others, but to every one and every living thing.. including yourself. This includes physical and psychological pain. This includes the way we speak and the words that we say to ourselves.

So in times like these what can we practice?  

Make empathy your practice. Make kindness your practice. Make compassion your practice. Make peace your practice. Make learning and educating yourself your practice. Make YOU your practice. 

What can we do better?

What can we do to make ourselves better so that we can lead by example?


Try this practice to develop more kindness and compassion for yourself and others:

Loving-Kindness Practice (15 min)

Sit in a comfortable seat and close your eyes. Picture someone close to you that loves you very much. Feel the warmth and love fill your body. Receive that loving-kindness from them. Picture all of the people that love you surrounding you, sending you wishes of happiness, well-being and health. Feel the warmth and love fill your body. Receive that loving-kindness from them.

Picture that person who loves you very much and start to send the love back to them, wishing them happiness, well-being and health. Just like you, that person wishes to be happy and well. 

Now picture someone that is neutral, that you may not know very well, and send love to them. Just like you, that person wishes to be happy and well.

Now picture someone who you have difficulties with, and send love to them. Just like you, that person wishes to be happy and well.

Now, picture the whole globe as a little ball out in front of you, and send love to all beings. Just like you, everyone wishes to be happy and well. 

Take a breath in, and a breath out. Open your eyes and see how you feel.

~hugs!

Mandee

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Mandee Metzger is the Creator and Founder of Inner Light Botanicals. She has studied and practices Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, Crystal Healing, Reiki, and Integrative Nutrition and is a huge advocate for mental health awareness and feeling your feelings. She believes in the power of a smile, positivity, and the healing journey. She also believes in the power of integrating self-care into our daily life in small moments. And she believes in the power of the energy we put out into this world to transform lives and our planet. Find her simple self-care practices and mindful lifestyle on her YouTube channel, Mindfulness with Mandee.