In order to practice ahimsa or non-violence, a person must be able to accurately observe the truth of the situation.
A friend of mine hurt her arm and shoulder recently. After she fell she realized she was tangled up in some blankets and the pain in her shoulder prevented her from getting up. She called to her husband to help her get up and she put out her other arm for him to grab.
She was not able to see the truth at this moment. The truth of the situation was that pulling the offered arm would have hurt the injured shoulder even more. Her vision was clouded because of shock, pain and the habit of extending her arm for help was not beneficial at that occasion. Her husband could accurately see the truth, however, and then could act with compassion and ahimsa.
This is the first step in speaking and acting truthfully; observing the truth. It takes courage to observe truth and not run from it, judge it, wish it away or deny it. Sometimes there are occasions like with my friend that we cannot see truth and then we need to trust and rely on others to advise us, again without judgment.
Here’s some questions to ask during your meditation: What areas in my life am I observing truthfully? What areas in my life am in fear and may not be able to observe truthfully? Are there people around me that I trust who can see the truth? Am I listening with open ears to hear the truth, even when I cannot see it?
