Do no harm. It’s really a simple way to live.

Ahimsa is an ancient Indian ethical principle meaning nonviolence, non-harm, or harmlessness toward all living creatures.

It’s a core virtue in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It forms the first restraint (yama) in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and inspired Mahatma Gandhi’s peaceful resistance movements.

Non-harming: Avoiding injury or pain to any living being, including animals and insects, through the smallest footprint possible.
Three Levels: Practiced through thoughts, words, and physical deeds.
Universal Benevolence: Cultivating an inner attitude of peace, empathy, and love instead of malice or aggression.

I think we need to include the Three Gates that I annoy the Ferals with on a regular basis.

When they’re being obnoxious to each other, I ask if what they’re saying passes through the three gates…

The three gates of speech are a mindful communication framework often attributed to Sufi mystic traditions and the poet Rumi, as well as Buddhist teachings.

They act as a filter to pause and evaluate our words before we speak:

Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?

I think we all can benefit from the practice of Ahimsa and think before we speak, right?