Ahimsa is the principle of causing no harm. This means not acting with violence or cruelty to others directly or in thoughts. It also involves treating oneself with kindness, respect, and gentleness. In meditation, fears are confronted honestly. According to Buddhist thought, fear is the root of violence and cruelty; therefore, meditative practice enables the practice of ahimsa, and practicing ahimsa assists with meditative practice.

Meditation is the act of bringing one’s attention to their breath in order to connect fully with themself and with the present moment. It entails viewing one’s thoughts and feelings honestly, but with a degree of objectivity that allows the thoughts to flow away as the next moment arrives, replacing the previous moment and its associated thoughts and feelings. Moment-by-moment awareness can be conducted sitting, lying down, walking, or in stretching positions.

Mindfulness entails living fully in the present moment, rather than letting one’s perception be crowded by thoughts, including a person’s perceptions, ideas, preferences, or expectations. Practicing meditation allows one to live mindfully, as it involves being present with one’s breath. An individual can also bring mindfulness to their life outside of their meditative practice by bringing their full awareness of their sensory and emotional experience at any given moment.