​Ahimsa means “non-harming” and is considered one of the fundamental values of Yoga. Even more, in Yoga philosophy ahimsa is the first yama (or observance), which means that it colors every part of Yoga. Wow, consider what it would mean to bring non-harming to your yoga postures, your spiritual practices, how you think about and care for yourself, and all of your interactions with others? It would truly change the world, I think.
 
Ahimsa is also defined as “nonviolence,” a fitting topic on this day when we celebrate the birth, life and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His teachings and life example are also worth reviewing in light of world events at home and abroad. Every day there are bombings and war, threats and abusive behavior from leaders and law enforcement, disagreements and misunderstandings that tear apart nations, communities and families.
 
This news can bring forth so many difficult emotions—fear, sadness, anger, despair. How should we think about these things? Dr. King said many inspirational things to encourage us:
 
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
 
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
 
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
 
“Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.”
 
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
 
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
 
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” 
 
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
 
“Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning.”
 
Dr. King was clear that thinking is not enough—there also needs to be ACTION. His choice was nonviolent direct action, where protestors willingly receive the physical abuse of the opposition, willingly accept being arrested for standing up to unlawful actions, never returning violence for violence, always responding to hate with LOVE.
 
How many of us today would be able to do the same?
 
Today, in honor of an inspirational teacher and moral guide, consider how you could put ahimsa into practice in your life, at home, at work, and in your community. The world needs this message and these actions more now than ever.

Many years ago Thich Nhat Hanh invented this new word interbeing. He wanted to express the profound interdependence that binds everything and everyone together. In his book At Home in the World he tells the story of meeting The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1966, a perfect example of interbeing.

Could the contrast be any stronger? A Buddhist monk from Vietnam meets an African American Christian minister. The suffering of Thich Nhat Hanh’s people came about in large part by the warring actions of the United States government. And yet, Nhat Hanh was inspired by the nonviolent action King was organizing in the American south. He writes:

“From the first moment I knew I was in the presence of holy person. Not just his good work but his very being was a source of great inspiration for me. . . . That was the day we combined our efforts to work for peace in Vietnam and to fight for civil rights in the U.S. We agreed that the true enemy of man is not man. Our true enemy is not outside of us. Our true enemy is the anger, hatred, and discrimination that is found in the hearts and minds of man.”

They continued to correspond and support each other’s work. A year later they met again. Nhat Hanh told him, “’Martin, do you know something? In Vietnam they say you are a bodhisattva, an enlightened being trying to awaken other living beings and help them move toward more compassion and understanding.’ . . .

Just a few months later King was assassinated. “I was in New York when I heard the news of his assassination; I was devastated. I could not eat; I could not sleep. I made a deep vow to continue building what he called ‘the beloved community,’ not only for myself but for him also.”

Interbeing helps us recognize that the way of love, peace, justice and understanding is best walked by all of us, not just a chosen few. It enables us to see the good and supportive work that is being carried out all over the world, even in areas that don’t seem to affect us directly. In reality, what others do shore us up even as what we offer sends ripples of support back to them.

How and where do you experience interbeing?