Reflections on Nonviolence and Truthfulness ~ In Service of Collective Liberation ~

I have been dancing between ahimsa and satya. Nonviolence and truthfulness. Ahimsa, or nonviolence, is the foundation of the yoga practice. It is the ground on which we stand. It is the first yama, or ethical guideline, of the first of eight limbs of the yoga practice outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It comes before the breath, and the sun salutations, and the seated meditations. Ahimsa is the practice of aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with the desire for all beings to be free from harm. And, it is much easier said than done. 

Satya, or truthfulness, is the second yama, forever dancing with the first. The two move together, within me, seeking balance- sometimes ever so gracefully and sometimes clumsily tripping over each other’s toes. Satya is the practice of being real. It is the practice of becoming honest with ourselves, with each other, and with the world, in every cell of our body, in every relationship and interaction, and in every facet of our lives. The yoga practice teaches that avidya, or ignorance, is the root of all suffering. Ignorance means being uninformed or unaware. Ignorance means not seeing the world clearly and as it is. 

If there is anything that this moment (and hundreds of years worth of moments before) is asking of us - I’m looking at us, white folks - first and foremost, it is to see things the way that they are. Not how we wish they were and not how we’ve been pretending they are. 

Because, if we cannot see clearly, then we cannot practice non-harming, or ahimsa. If we cannot confront the truth that Black people have been deeply harmed and continue to be harmed at the hands of racism, white supremacy culture, and oppressive systems, then even actions rooted in the best non-harming intentions, still, in their impact, may create harm. Furthermore, if we cannot confront our personal participation in racism, learn to see clearly all the ways we have caused harm, and hold ourselves accountable for dismantling white supremacy from within us and around us, then we are not truly practicing ahimsa. And, let us also remember, that just like love and yoga, antiracism is a practice. Author of How to Be an Anti-Racist, Ibram X. Kendi, says in this article that “being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination." So, the tools of yoga practice can become the tools of anti-racist practice, if we let them. 

In her book, The Yamas and Niyamas, Deborah Adele says, “to be a bold person of truth is to constantly look for what we are not seeing and to expose ourselves to different views than the ones we hold sacred.” So, we must look in the ~ personal and collective ~ mirror and ask: “What am I not seeing?” People who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, as well as people at the intersections of marginalized and oppressed identities, have not often had the luxury, or the choice, not to see things as they are. And, they have suffered at our unwillingness to confront the uncomfortable truth of a country built on high and mighty ideals, yet dark and ugly realities. 

So, here we are: facing the ugly that we have been trying so hard to hide behind. And although, it might feel like too little too late, and in many ways it most certainly is, it is time to confront this toxic truth, so that it can inform our thoughts, words, and actions on the path towards ahimsa. It is time to let this truth become a beacon towards shifting our relationships, communities, places of work, and places of worship ~ transforming our public policies, social services, and economic systems ~ to create a world where Black people are safe, healthy, and free from harm. 

And, for those of you, who might be thinking: But why just Black people? What about all the other people who are suffering? What about me? I offer you the idea of “horizontal transcendence,” a concept that I learned from Michael Stone. If your yoga practice is focused only you becoming enlightened or free from suffering- a kind of “vertical transcendence”, then it is just selfishness masquerading as spirituality. Rather, a yoga practice that is deeply rooted in “horizontal transcendence” knows that we are forever interdependent upon one another, and our collective liberation is intertwined. Australian Abirigonal activist, Lilla Watson, said,“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” 

Let us live every day with this reminder that our liberation is intertwined and that we are here to work together. And if we are practicing satya in our quest for a world rooted in ahimsa, if we are seeing things clearly as we create a world free from suffering, we must acknowledge that Black people are most oppressed people in this country - especially Black women, especially Black trans women - and if we lift them up, we lift every one up. If we liberate the most oppressed, we liberate all of us. 

So, here I am, forever dancing between ahimsa and satya. I am learning how to speak truthfully and with compassion. I am learning how to take thoughtful, albeit imperfect action with the intention of liberation of Black people from oppressive systems. All the while, I am reminding myself to practice humility, because as I wake up to truths beyond my personal experience, and as I act with the intention of nonviolence, I know that the impact of my actions may still cause harm. I am figuring out how to make mistakes, accept criticism without defensiveness, and try again. I am learning to confront the truth that I am complicit in white supremacy, and give myself compassion as I unlearn the sea of racism that I’ve been swimming in my whole life.

While I dance upon this earth, let each step be rooted in ahimsa, grounded in the practice of creating a world that is just and equitable for all beings. As I dance, and stumble, and fall, and get back up, may my vision be clear, fixed upon the practice of satya, so that I may continue to awaken to truths that I don’t yet know. And as I dance with nonviolence and truthfulness, I hope you will dance with me too. 

Here are some ways that you can dance:

Please note: This is a list of educational resources, tools, and direct actions, surrounding racism and anti-racism, some through the lens of yoga, and some not, that I have personally engaged with and that have felt transformative or impactful for me. It is by no means exhaustive, and I know that I, personally, have more work to do. There are lots of resources out there (see here) to meet you wherever you are. 

Educate Yourself:

  • Online Resources:

  • Podcasts: Search these titles wherever you listen to podcasts

    • Yoga is Dead 

    • Code Switch

    • 1619

    • Ear Hustle

    • How to Survive the End of the World

    • The Racist Sandwich Podcast

    • Unlocking Us

    • On Being 

Vote with Your Wallet:

  • Support Black-owned businesses: 

    • Here’s a resource for PDX-based businesses

Take Direct Action

  • Sign petitions

  • Call and email your elected officials 

  • Support protestors

  • Get involved with local justice organizations 

Talk to Each Other About Racism

I welcome dialogue, so please feel free to respond with any thoughts, feelings, ideas, suggestions, questions, concerns, or curiosities you might have. 

With gratitude, 

Blair Borax

Blair Borax