Ahimsa, the path of non-violence, is a key principle of yoga, particularly the Ashtanga tradition. You’ll sometimes hear it translated as “nonviolence,” so it’s easy to think ahimsa refers to physical harm. But it’s a broader principle that calls yogis to consider how we treat others with our words, thoughts, and attitudes as well. Put simply, it’s a call to live in harmony with all beings. You may also hear the word ahimsa translated as “kindness.” It’s an invitation to see the divine in all things.
Ahimsa and Jesus: The Heart of the Message
The essence of ahimsa aligns beautifully with the teachings of Jesus, who, as Christians know, spread a message of love, forgiveness, and compassion among his followers and anyone who “had ears to hear.” Jesus’ life and teachings offer a powerful framework for understanding and embodying non-violence in the modern world.
Jesus spoke of love as a powerful, transformative force. The key to understand the new covenant he established between humans and God is the “new commandment” he gave his disciples. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
At first glance this may not have much impact. After all, we all know how important love is. Don’t we?
Swami Sivananda put it this way: “Ahimsa is the highest duty. It is the path of peace, of love and of truth.”
Ahimsa, then, is about actively cultivating love, empathy, and kindness in all areas of life. This means loving not only those we are close to, but everyone. This was a radical idea in Jesus’ day when the Jewish law said things like “an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth.” That law, called lex talionis (law of retaliation) was meant to prevent excessive revenge. But Jesus wanted even more from his followers.
Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? A clear way for me to think about this is to remind myself that in Christian theology, God is love.
Ahimsa is Seeing the Divine in All Beings
A fundamental aspect of Ahimsa is seeing the divine essence in all beings. Yoga teaches us to look beyond the surface and recognize the interconnectedness of all life. We are all reflections of the same divine light, if we allow that light to shine.
When asked how to love God—that is, how to reflect divine light—Jesus (who Christians believe is divine) said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
No one is unworthy of God’s love, and the practice of ahimsa calls us to respond to that truth. Whether we’re interacting with someone in need or someone who challenges us, we must see them as worthy of love, respect, and dignity.
Forgiveness and Non-Violence: A Radical Shift
At first glance, it might seem like forgiveness has no connection with non-violence, but the key here is understanding that holding onto grudges and negative emotions is a form of self-violence in the yogic tradition. So, forgiveness is a cornerstone of ahimsa.
Jesus also placed great importance on forgiveness. It is one of his most fundamental teachings and an essential part of spiritual growth and healing. In truth, it’s a form of liberation from suffering and punishment. “Forgive, and you will be forgiven,” Jesus says. (Luke 6:37)
So how do we do it? And why?
Have you ever been forgiven instead of punished for something? If you’ve had this experience, you know that forgiveness breaks the boundaries that separate people. Instead of “us” and “them” or “you” and “me,” we are one when we forgive.
Ahimsa and Peace: Why it All Matters
Spiritual practice centers our lives on profound love and peace toward ourselves and others. Ahimsa is not limited to actions but extends to our thoughts, our speech, and our attitudes. Jesus taught his followers to love unconditionally, forgive radically, and cultivate peace within, as peace is the foundation for spiritual growth. By creating a world of compassion and harmony as yogis or as Christians, we practice ahimsa because it is essential to our commitment to live alignment with the divine truth of all things.
