Yama #1 Ahiṃsā (Non-violence)

The 10 Tantrik Yamas

Yama #1 of the Classical Yogic Tradition

Ahimsa: The Great Vow of Non-Violence

Inner Stillness, Radiant Compassion & the Foundations of Yoga Practice

What does non-violence mean beyond not lashing out physically—or indulging in self-defeating thought patterns? How does it become a living vow that shapes your inner world, nervous system, and way of being?

This first satsang in the Yamas series invites you into a sacred, multidimensional exploration of Ahimsa, the foundational restraint of yoga. Drawing from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, the Netra Tantra (Tantra of the Third Eye), and the Katha Upanishad, the class approaches Ahimsa not just as an ethical commitment, but as a path of returning to wholeness, clarity, and grace.

You’ll experience the yogic journey inward through Bhāvana (contemplative visualization), textual wisdom, and guided meditations, including powerful practices like Repose in the Silent Ground of Being and The Cave of the Heart. The session culminates in reflections on forgiveness, an unexpected and transformative insight that emerged naturally, offering a key to authentic healing and integration.

What You’ll Learn

Introduction to Yoga:
Understand yoga as a holistic path for mind, body, and soul.

Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras:
Explore the Yamas and Niyamas through the lens of the first and most essential vow—Ahimsa.

The Meaning of Non-Violence:
Go beyond superficial definitions to discover Ahimsa as a sacred, living presence—interwoven with self-awareness, speech, thought, and somatic stillness.

The Great Vow (Mahāvrata):
Unpack the significance of Patañjali’s emphasis on this universal commitment—how it purifies perception and lays the foundation for the deeper limbs of yoga.

Tantrik Perspective:
Learn how the Netra Tantra condenses and empowers the teachings of the Yamas with precision and insight, bringing in the wisdom of the Third Eye and inner vision.

Meditative Experiences:

• Repose in the Silent Ground of Being: Connect with your original essence beyond reactivity.

• The Cave in the Heart: Enter the luminous space of inner compassion, the origin-point of non-violence.

Why This Program?

In a world that often normalizes conflict and internal division, this self-paced journey offers a restorative and grounded path forward. You’ll gain tools to live with more integrity, somatic presence, and compassion—for yourself and others. Through timeless teachings, guided meditation, and embodied inquiry, Ahimsa becomes more than a concept: it becomes a doorway to stillness, forgiveness, and the heart of yoga.

*DISCLAIMER* Participating in yoga and/or yoga philosophy classes, including but not limited to the guided meditations therein, involves inherent psycho-physical risk. These risks include, but are not limited to, physical injuries (e.g., strains, sprains, or fractures), emotional distress, or psychological discomfort arising from the meditation process. Understand that meditation may bring up strong emotions or unresolved issues. By enrolling in this class, you confirm that you are aware of and understand the inherent risks involved in yoga and guided meditation, and are aware that your participation is voluntary and that you are responsible for your own well-being during these activities.