Ahimsa, The Bible, The Illusion of Separateness & Embracing Being Human

I've always loved searching for the universally applicable message within ancient codes. I was reading the bible* this morning and I read this:

Romans, Chapter 8:5-6 reads:

"For those who live according to the flesh 
Set their minds on the things of the flesh
But those who live according to Spirit
The things of the Spirit
For to be carnally minded is death
But to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace."

Sometimes the truth is so simple that it is easy to pass over without giving it appropriate regard, or letting our mind and body connect, and feel its deeper meaning. This passage is communicating that whatever concepts, ideas or thoughts we operate from, we eventually become. If we walk our path as someone overly concerned with "the flesh," the people, abundance and events in our lives will reflect this "fleshiness." 

There is nothing to judge here. We are all human beings; we are Spirit and yet, we too, are of the flesh. This reality is unavoidable. No need to try and transcend beyond our humanness; it is a part of who we are! I say, let us embrace both sides; let our Spirit dance in our very own fleshiness and let our fleshiness submit to our pure Spirit. Let us co-exist, giving into the needs of both.

When it is written "For to be carnally minded is death," I interpret this as denying your spiritual self entirely. It can mean being so entrenched in your carnal desires that you neglect or suppress your inherent connection with the mystery that is Creation, with the principle of Oneness that unites all seemingly opposing natures/things.

To add to this, everyone's purpose is different (we see this time and time again in the Occult Sciences)! More recently, I've wanted to diffuse my anger, and I have been asking my spirit-self to remind my human consciousness to relax and BE peace. I have found that it really can be that easy; closing your eyes, breathing and reminding yourself "BE peace."

This is where Ahmisa comes in. The word literally means without harm (A- absence of, and himsa- pain or harm). It is part of a set of ethical principles from the Yoga Sutra that offers precepts for peaceful** living.

Ahimsa means "doing our best not to harm ourselves or others (including sentient beings); not harming the environment; tolerance even for that which we dislike, and not speaking that which, though truthful, would injure others." 

Practicing Ahimsa has made me less angry, and more aware of the illusion of being separate from others. When we fully accept our own humanness (flesh), we are more able to offer compassion/Ahimsa (Spirit)to ourselves and those around us!

In Full Fleshiness & Spirit ;0)

Shebah Saturn


---

* - We don't have access to biblical scripture in its "purest form," nevertheless, I feel it is possible to extract wisdom from its pages, keeping in mind that the scripture has been understandably tainted through humanity's lust for greed, control, pursuit of power, and the like.

**- Due to the socio-political climate of our time, I do not endorse passivity or non-violence as an effective method for change in all circumstances.