NON-INJURY (AHIMSA IN SANSKRIT)
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EXERTED FROM  THE BOOK, "THE WAY OF TRANTRA".
ANANDA MARGA PUBLICATIONS
COMPLIED AND EDITED BY ACARA BHAVAMUKTANANDA AVADHUTA
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1. Non-injury (Ahimsa) - Action performed without the intention of
harming anyone or anything by thought, word or deed. As long as one is
chained to the desire to harm or exploit, one's progress toward peace and
understanding is hindered. But the dynamics of life sometimes do involve
force. To take a very basic example, every time we breath we are killing
thousands of micro organisms. Here the intention is not to harm the
bacteria, but simply to breathe. In other instances, it might be necessary
to use force to preserve human lives and liberties and this would be in
accordance with ahimsa as the action was not motivated by hatred or anger.

In the past many people have misinterpreted Ahimsa to be synonymous with
non-violence, which involves even from refraining from defending oneself or
others. If one is being attacked, or if others are being attacked, persecuted
or deprived of their rights, it is our moral duty to do our upmost to ensure
that those who would intimidate or exploit, are prevented from doing so.
At times, it may be necessary to use force in this regard.