A Letter to America’s Lawmakers: Use the Yamas of Yoga As a Guide for Gun Reform by Melissa Hurt

Seventeen families shattered. We’re terrified. Take a lesson from the Yamas of yoga, the ethical practices we extend toward others. Here they are abridged:

• Ahimsa: Non-harming in thought, word and deed. Inaction in the face of violence is an act of violence. Manifest thought into speech and action that preserves life. Let compassion be your guiding light.

• Satya: Truthfulness. Be honest about the truth of our country’s crisis. There have been nearly 300 school shootings in the last five years. Don’t think one thing and act on its opposite.

• Asteya: Not taking from others. Don’t steal time on this issue. The more you distract us on other issues while knowing of our crisis steals time and lives. Don’t covet another country’s safe gun habits. Make it happen here.

• Brahmacarya: Conservation of vital energy. Use your resources to preserve yourself and the common good. We have all we need to do well. Don’t waste energy and resources on what’s not important.

• Aparigraha: Non-hoarding. Share what you know and what you can. Work across the aisle to make gun reform happen.

Our families’ lives depend on you. Be noble. Do what’s right. Listen to the people, not big business. 

Yamas represent a series of "right living" or ethical rules within Hinduism and yoga. It means “reining in” or “control.”