Panoptic Human: Vachika Ahimsa

Welcome to week two.

” A wound caused by an arrow or axe heals swiftly, but a wound caused by violent speech heals very slowly.” – The Mahabarata

Yama is our first step towards “cosmic consciousness” (yogi speak for reaching a state of consciousness higher than that of an ordinary human; reaching a state consciousness pre-dating the habitation of your consciousness within your human meat-suit; for more, check out this article from Deepak Chopra).
We could consider cosmic consciousness to be somewhat like having a “panoptic” consciousness: taking into account all things and permitting all things to be seen and known, rather than simply abiding within the universe inside of our own heads.
Yama is a psychological skill intended to focus our energies and direct those energies for growth.
In our practice of Yama, one must remember that the intention, and the follow through on that intention most of the time, is far more important than 100% observance of the practice.

To strive for perfection would scatter and distract our energy, leading us into emotionality, impulsiveness, and over-rationalization of otherwise unfavorable behaviors.

(If you’re not living in a cave or a temple, you’re a householder).

The first and most important of our Yamas is Ahimsa — nonviolence.

Today, we begin to explore Vachika Ahimsa, verbal non-violence.
It is through through the practice of non-violence that one begins to see herself in others.
For some, it’s helpful to recall what 2019 science believes to be the origin of the universe:

“Thirteen and a half billion years ago, a mysterious pinprick, unimaginably dense and incomprehensibly hot, appeared out of the void of spaceless and timeless infinity and exploded with uncontrollable force, creating space, time, energy, and matter in the process. This “Big Bang” ignited the engine of creation, and in that very instant our whole universe was born. The  varied tapestry of everything that exists today – including you and me – was already present, though undifferentiated like a mound of unspun fiber.” – The Master Key: Qigong Secrets for Vitality, Love, and Wisdom by Robert Peng.

I don’t mean to get a little woo-woo, but we share the same “spark” with everything that surrounds us.
Ahimsa helps one to align to this truth.
Our observance of Ahimsa creates good Karma, or good subconscious thoughts, which lead to more favorable words and actions.
When discussing karma, it’s helpful to remember a quote:
“Everything I do is a result of everything I have done.”
This is karma in action.
By consciously engaging in behaviors — like brushing our teeth — we ingrain them in the brain, making them a thoughtless subconscious behavior in the future.
Through alignment to Ahimsa, we engage in non-violent behaviors, making them more automatic.
Alignment to ahimsa leads to relaxation and non-agitation in the mind, allowing for improved concentration.
Improved concentration allows for improved meditation and stillness practice.
Improved meditation and stillness practice leads to more “Cosmic Consciousness”, Panoptic consciousness if you prefer, illumination (realization of a thing which you were not previously aware), or enlightenment if you prefer that term.
The practice of Yama is not a one-two-three process, as the levels are interrelated and interact with one-another.
To become skilled at all three levels of the practice, all at once, would be very challenging. In order to make this process more sane, we approach Yama level individually, from the most obvious, to the most subtle.
  1. Physically / Sharirik, which we practiced last week.
  2. Verbally / Vachika, which we practice this week.
  3. Intellectually or Mentally / Baudhika, which we practice next week.

Today, we begin with Vachika Ahimsa, refraining from abusive words, insulting statements (both obvious and passive aggressive), angry speech, and bad advice which may bring harm to the person or inadvertent harm to another.

More importantly, and much more challenging, we refrain from causing verbalharm to ourselves.

My spiritual teacher, Goswami Kriyananda, has said that one must practice smaller skills before mastering the more obvious skills which we have just considered. These are:

  1. Speaking softly,
  2. Speaking gently,
  3. Speaking wisely and honestly.

When developing the skill of Vachika Ahimsa, we must be mindful of violence that is done with one’s mouth:

  1. Which we do to others and to ourselves,
  2. which we allow others to do,
  3. and which we (outwardly or inadvertently) encourage others to do.

To truly succeed at this practice, we must develop the skill of observing our thoughts and our words before they leave our mouth, asking ourselves,

“Is this honest? Is this gentle? Is this wise?”

Remember that every time, place, and circumstance is different, and what may be appropriate in one place may not be appropriate in another.

Every circumstance is different.

So, Here we go (which means, read this aloud):

“With every breath that I breathe, I am becoming more and more non-violent towards myself and others.”

“With every breath that I breathe, I am becoming more and more non-violent towards myself and others.”

“With every breath that I breathe, I am becoming more and more non-violent towards myself and others.”

Your path toward becoming a Panoptic Human, one who takes into account the whole at one view, who permits everything to be seen, advances.

In sanskrit, AUMM / OM is said to vibrate at the same frequency as the Universe and the spark of the big-bang,

Shanti means Peace.

So, I say Om Shanti to you.

The light of that divine-spark, the light of the big bang within me sees, and celebrates the light of that spark within you.

Namaste.

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