Iyengar: When non-violence in speech, thought, and action is firmly established, one’s aggressive nature is relinquished and others abandon hostility in one’s presence.
Peace in words, thoughts and deeds, whether awake or dreaming, is a sign of goodwill and love towards all, Iyengar says. I’ve noticed that when I do back off and become less aggressive, others do indeed also become less aggressive. That’s in general – sometimes people become more aggressive.
Bryant: In the presence of one who is established in non-violence, enmity is abandoned.
Bryant says that the yogi’s sattvic mind can pervade outward, and sattvicize the minds of the other beings and that even natural enemies like the cat and mouse can be observed doing this. He also points out the ancient stories of holy people taming wild animals (St. Francis taming a wild wolf). His commentary mentions Hariharananda: Dharana and meditation are needed to expose the violence in the mind. To me, this means that violence is hard to suppress if it is there – it should be exposed and processed through dharana and dhyana (mediation)
Taimni: On being firmly established in non-violence there is abandonment of hostility in (his) presence.
Taimni points out that it is almost never “firmly established” and is very hard to master. The student must practice the other elements of yama-niyama as they are intertwined. He likens this to an aura that spreads outwards.
Carerra: In the presence of one firmly established in non-violence, all hostilities cease.
Carerra says that yogis understand what violence causes pain in others and so brings compassion. It’s a study in psychology of what causes violence. He also speaks of the osmosis of non-violence. He points out from the Christian tradition a similar wisdom: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”
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