Yoga Has a Lot to Say about Love.

“The major characteristic of love is the absence of conflict. When conflict is born and increases daily, true love gradually diminishes. Where conflict finds fault, love sees virtue. When love increases daily, its flower blossoms fully, spreading its sweet fragrance everywhere.”

– Swami Kripalu

1913 - 1981 

In February, as Valentine’s Day approaches, I think about the importance of love in the life of a yogi.

Among the Eight Limbs of the yoga system, ethical conduct (yamas in Sanskrit) begins with non-harming or non-violence (ahimsa). Deep and wide-ranging, ahimsa practice includes the avoidance of harmful thoughts, speech, and actions. Ahimsa starts locally with ourselves and extends universally. It’s been said that ‘ahimsa is the spontaneous expression of the highest form of love (or loving-kindness); the unconditional positive regard for everyone and everything.’

A way of being in the world, ahimsa is an attitude of heart-mind. And this non-harming attitude is cultivated with gentle awareness and fearless practice, on and off of the yoga mat. Ahimsa practice asks us to activate our courage, sense of balance, self-love, and compassion for all beings. It’s a tall order!

Ahimsa = non-harming = caring = love

Maybe you’ll begin to notice harsh language and tone of voice in the ongoing internal monologue. Judgmental self-talk or “shoulds” that come up are words that hurt. (Hey, whose voice is that anyway?) Or notice violence in media and entertainment and the reaction to it. (What aggression or compassion is stirred up?)

Can we be bravely return to love over and over again? Can we boldly acknowledge love as the great engine of our lives? Hmm. . .

Ahimsa symbol

Here are words from the Dhammapada 3-5 which may sound familiar. 

“In this world

Hate never yet dispelled hate.

Only love dispels hate.

This is the law,

Ancient and inexhaustible.”

Sources and inspiration for this article:

“21 Inspirational Yoga Quotes on Love,” by Timothy Burgin, in Yogabasics.com, 2020

“Do No Harm: The Art of Ahimsa,” by Irene (Aradhana) Petry, in Yogainternational.com

The Yamas and Niyamas, by Deborah Adele, On-Word Bound Books, LLC, 2009

Dhammapada 3-5, in Buddhistinquiry.org

Image: Pixabay