Ahimsa means non-violence or non-harm, and is central to the world view and ethics of the Jain tradition. The Jain view of the life-spectrum, which includes, as souls, the whole range of plants and animals, has significant consequences for daily action. It is not just a theory about life, but a way of living. While it is obviously not possible to live without doing some violence to other life forms, Jains are sincerely committed to minimizing their violent impact on the universe around them. In daily life, this means that Jains think consciously about ethical choices and challenges that may be of little concern to others. Perhaps the first and most important is what to eat.