Ahimsa: Non-Violence
Patañjali stresses ahimsa in accordance with the humanistic principle of non-violence. “Do unto others and they would be done unto you,” is an exemplary example of Christianity’s recommendation of how to treat our fellow sentient beings, as well as develop a sense of empathy. This is also acknowledged by ahimsa’s strict adherence by Jainism—avoiding harming life forms, however small, such as ants as we walk—to the broader humanistic belief in preserving our own species while avoiding the torture of other sentient beings. This sentiment was echoed by eighteenth century Scottish philosopher David Hume in An Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals: “We should be bound by the laws of humanity to give gentle usage to these creatures.”
Scholars, and humans, have differed as to how this should be interpreted: Is violence permitted when the safety of humankind is put in jeopardy? This issue was addressed by Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi (an online copy of which can be found here) when he asked Mahatma Gandhi what his reaction would be to a cobra threatening a child. Gandhi upheld his commitment to ahimsa, but added I must confess that, “I could not serenely carry on this conversation if I was faced by a cobra.”
Defensive rather than pacifist approaches are, arguably, sometimes seen as necessary, but eventually, if enlightened, this issue is said to subside when we become aware of the congruences between apparent polarities, such as pain and pleasure. If we view pain as something which is not only unavoidable, but something that need not be avoided, then we would not hurt another in our defense if pain and fear do not concern us. This may be a bit advanced for most of us. Nonetheless, ahimsa reminds us to cultivate awareness of the negative states of an aggressive mind to maintain control over our faculties: calm the mind, calm the body, and be at peace with ourselves and our environment.
Trading without agression
The markets will provide ample opportunities to challenge our equilibrium. Intra-day market watchers may be most exposed to the fluctuations that can cause a marked degree of mental unrest, should one be at the mercy of a hostile mind. Dr. Brett Steenbarger has noticed this unfortunate trait amongst traders: “Many active traders lack an emotional thermostat. They don’t know their temperatures. They are like heating systems that get the room hotter and hotter, until the house is unbearable.”
A malicious intent or reaction will not produce sound trading results. Anger, part of the fight-or-flight response, will redirect the rational decision-making processes of the frontal cortex to the brain’s attack, defend, or flee motor responses. The redistribution of blood flow will ultimately end in a decision that is not our intent. To establish more appropriate methods of interpreting stressors, we may commit ourselves to ahimsa and develop more positive ways of approaching our behavioural trading tendencies.
