"The principle of non-harming, ahimsa, is the very first of the , or social and ethical restraints, outlined in Patañjali's Yoga Sutras. While we often think of ahimsa as how we treat others, its deepest invitation is to turn that same gentleness inward. When we give ourselves the same tenderness we would extend to a loved one or a dear friend, the nervous system softens, the mind quiets, and space opens for healing."
"Compassion begins within. As the Sutras teach, the state of the mind colors the way we experience the world. By practicing these simple daily rituals of self-care, we learn to treat ourselves with kindness rather than judgment. In doing so, we not only nurture our own well-being but also create ripples of compassion that touch our families, communities, and the greater collective."
Self-compassion involves meeting life's challenges with kindness rather than criticism and functions as essential inner nurturing. Ahimsa, the principle of non-harming, invites the same gentleness inward toward oneself. Gentle self-care calms the nervous system, quiets the mind, and opens space for healing while honoring the heart as the dwelling place of Atman. Cultivating self-compassion does not require long practices; small, intentional daily rituals create greater ease, connection, and authenticity. Daily practices like conscious breathing and replacing self-criticism with gentle phrases reduce suffering, nurture well-being, and generate compassion that ripples into families, communities, and the collective.
Read at Yoga Journal
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