These days, the world can feel overwhelming. The weight of hate and suffering presses in from many directions, leaving little room for solace. It’s hard not to feel the sharp sting, to hear the stories that wound deeply. Sometimes, the suffering outside mirrors the turmoil within. I feel the anger, the fear, the noise. It’s easy to lose hope. In recent weeks, I’ve felt the toll of stress on my body
But I don’t want to go there. I don’t want to be against people. I would rather be actively and intentionally for kindness, peace, and understanding. There’s always good work to be done, no matter what’s happening in the world, no matter who is in charge. Even when we feel small and it seems overwhelming, we are not powerless.
I was reminded of this during a walk on the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail (LRT) the other day. I stopped on the trail, took a deep breath, and simply looked around. The sun was warm, the air crisp, and the trees stood tall, undisturbed by the chaos elsewhere. There were no immediate threats. I was safe. Standing on that trail, nature reminded me of something simple, yet profound: peace exists, right here, right now.
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali speaks of how suffering has always been a part of life. It’s not new, and it’s not something we can ignore. It’s woven into the fabric of human existence. But that doesn’t mean we are helpless.
In the face of suffering, yoga offers us a powerful tool: ahimsa, the practice of nonviolence. It is a call to protect all life, both our own and that of others. It’s not just about refraining from physical violence. It’s about cultivating a deep reverence for life itself. And when we practice ahimsa, we are committing to an active, compassionate presence in the world.
“In the presence of someone who is deeply committed to nonviolence, hostility recedes.”
—Yoga Sutra 2.35
Every day, we can plant seeds of understanding, choose thoughts that resist harm, and act with compassion. It’s in the small, deliberate actions: kindness over judgment, listening deeply, reaching out with love. For me, living mindfully is the true practice of yoga. We can show up with open hearts, set intentions for love, unity, and justice. Our work stretches across many levels: individual, family, community, and the world. I remind myself frequently that I’m not doing the work for individuals, but for humanity.
Yoga teaches us that the mind can be still, that we can find peace. I’m guessing that most of us are not fully enlightened yet. Our minds still fluctuate between fear, anger, and doubt. That’s okay. We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t need to change the world in one sweeping act. But we can start by changing our own hearts.
The work begins with us, in our own lives. Inner peace grows from within. When we are at peace inside, we carry that peace with us. And from that stillness, we can take the next step. We can speak out against injustice, offer compassion to someone in need, or simply show others that they are welcome in our space.
Maybe it starts with a simple sign. Maybe it’s a word, a gesture, a kind touch. It can be as small as creating a space where people know they are seen, known, and loved. But that small act, that commitment to truth and kindness, can ripple out in ways we cannot fully understand.
In the quiet, when we acknowledge our fears, our anger, and our pain, we begin to heal. To cultivate ahimsa is to recognize that peace is not the absence of violence; it is the presence of justice, compassion, and equality. It is an active nonviolence. It is showing up for one another with the understanding that we are all in this together.
The road may not be easy, but every step counts. So today, let’s take the first step. Let’s choose peace. Let’s create the world we want to see, starting with ourselves.
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