Ahimsa in Action
Information & Inspiration for Yoga Teachers and Students
What does yoga have to do with veganism?
Excerpt from Yoga and Vegetarianism by Sharon Gannon:
The Sanskrit term yoga is found in the Vedas, the most ancient of the Indian scriptures, prehistoric in origin. The Indian philosopher Patanjali did not invent yoga, but he did write an important manual, the Yoga Sutras, several thousand years ago. The word yoga means to "yoke", and describes the yoking of one's individual small self to the cosmic eternal Self, or God. Reaching this blissful state of union with the Divine is called enlightenment, liberation, Self-realization, super-consciousness, or samadhi.
Yoga has one goal: enlightenment, a state in which the separateness of self and other dissolves in the realisation of the oneness of being. What holds us back from that realisation is a false perception of reality. Instead of perceiving oneness, we see separateness, disconnection and otherness. Because the term Yoga refers not only to the goal of enlightenment but also to the practical method for reaching that goal, all of the practices must address the basic issue of "other". Otherness is the main obstacle to enlightenment. Killing or harming others is not the best way to overcome this obstacle.
By following the Yamas prescribed in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, we begin to realize that suffering is inevitable only to those who are unlightened about the truth, which connects us all. Our own actions bring about the situation we live in. Yoga has the potential to heal the disease that we are suffering from - the disease of disconnection. War, destruction of the environment, extinction of species, global warming, and even domestic violence - all of these stem from the disease of disconnection. You can only abuse and exploit others if you feel disconnected from them and have no idea about the potency inherent in your own actions. If you feel connected, you know that it's you, as well as other living beings, who will suffer from the suffering you inflict.
A yogi investigates all long-standing habits and behaviours, even if they have been in place seemingly forever, and asks: "Is this activity necessary now? Does it bring me or the world closer to enlightenment or peace?" If you want to bring more peace and happiness into your own life, the way to do so it to stop causing violence and unhappiness in the lives of others.
Patanjali suggests that if we work for the freedom of other beings, we will become free. By being established in the practice of the Yamas, we can look forward to a peaceful world free of violence (through ahimsa), lies (through satya), and stealing (through asteya); the enjoyment of physical and mental vitality and the end of disease (through brahmacharya), and a future free of poverty and bright with opportunities for increased happiness and creativity (though aparigraha).
Don't wait for a better world. Start now to create a world of harmony and peace. It is up to you, and it always has been! You may even find the solution at the end of your fork.
The Sanskrit term yoga is found in the Vedas, the most ancient of the Indian scriptures, prehistoric in origin. The Indian philosopher Patanjali did not invent yoga, but he did write an important manual, the Yoga Sutras, several thousand years ago. The word yoga means to "yoke", and describes the yoking of one's individual small self to the cosmic eternal Self, or God. Reaching this blissful state of union with the Divine is called enlightenment, liberation, Self-realization, super-consciousness, or samadhi.
Yoga has one goal: enlightenment, a state in which the separateness of self and other dissolves in the realisation of the oneness of being. What holds us back from that realisation is a false perception of reality. Instead of perceiving oneness, we see separateness, disconnection and otherness. Because the term Yoga refers not only to the goal of enlightenment but also to the practical method for reaching that goal, all of the practices must address the basic issue of "other". Otherness is the main obstacle to enlightenment. Killing or harming others is not the best way to overcome this obstacle.
By following the Yamas prescribed in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, we begin to realize that suffering is inevitable only to those who are unlightened about the truth, which connects us all. Our own actions bring about the situation we live in. Yoga has the potential to heal the disease that we are suffering from - the disease of disconnection. War, destruction of the environment, extinction of species, global warming, and even domestic violence - all of these stem from the disease of disconnection. You can only abuse and exploit others if you feel disconnected from them and have no idea about the potency inherent in your own actions. If you feel connected, you know that it's you, as well as other living beings, who will suffer from the suffering you inflict.
A yogi investigates all long-standing habits and behaviours, even if they have been in place seemingly forever, and asks: "Is this activity necessary now? Does it bring me or the world closer to enlightenment or peace?" If you want to bring more peace and happiness into your own life, the way to do so it to stop causing violence and unhappiness in the lives of others.
Patanjali suggests that if we work for the freedom of other beings, we will become free. By being established in the practice of the Yamas, we can look forward to a peaceful world free of violence (through ahimsa), lies (through satya), and stealing (through asteya); the enjoyment of physical and mental vitality and the end of disease (through brahmacharya), and a future free of poverty and bright with opportunities for increased happiness and creativity (though aparigraha).
Don't wait for a better world. Start now to create a world of harmony and peace. It is up to you, and it always has been! You may even find the solution at the end of your fork.
