Yama 1

Ahimsa - Non Violence... this includes not only physical violence, but violence against others and yourself in word and thought as well, this is a slightly different way to view violence but used here it is more of an all encompassing term. This is hard for me as I tend to be a closet mean girl. I would never say something mean to someone's face to intentionally hurt them. But I hardly give thought to the negative energy that I am letting into my world with a negative thought or quiet word. Since being introduced to this first important Yama I have learned to still my words somewhat. The physical aspect was never hard for me so I lucked out there but, I still struggle with the negativity of my thoughts. I have decided my Ahimsa practice will begin today by not speaking harsh words to anyone for any reason. I will try to quiet my mind as much as possible and if I fail I can acknowledge it and start fresh. Tonight at school will probably be the hardest as Anne and I tend to slip into the mean girl roles quite quickly. This must be the "clique" effect. It's so reassuring to be with someone you know that it's just easier to exclude those you don't. This is especially true with girls. We are mean... mean to eachother and mean to ourselves. How can I break a life time of habit... it's all about realizing it's happening. Without the ability to realize I start becoming nasty, how can I ever hope to correct it.







So... Spanish class tonight. Last class we had a test and the professor began going over the next chapter. Chapter 10 started out like every other chapter but when we flipped to the last page for the too long list of vocabulary for memorization I realized... This is the last chapter in our book. I don't think i've ever gone through an ENTIRE textbook from chapt 1 to the end!! I had a fleeting moment of pride. I can hardly wait for this semester to be over. I want to begin writing again. It is very difficult to find time to write my book with class and yoga but someday I will get there.






Biology is coming along nicely! We are really in the thick of it right now with formal labs and a bioethical essay.