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Articles
The Tao of Non-Violence
by Rusty Stewart, Ph.D.
Before we can talk about non-violence, it may be useful to define violence. We all know that one form of violence is inflicting pain or injury on people. But what about violence against animals, plants, trees, water, air, and mother earth? How about verbal, spiritual, and emotional abuse and projecting anger? These are some of the more obvious forms of violence. Then there is the violence we inflict upon ourselves, physical, emotional, spiritual, and verbal. A Course In Miracles defines all sickness as self-condemnation. I think I would characterize that as violence. And what about violent thoughts? Thought is the pre-curser to reality in the world. Negative or violent thoughts have energy that is sent out to the collective consciousness to manifest somewhere in the world of form. So one could ask, how do I practice non-violence and who is responsible? How can we make people non-violent? Where does it start?
I am responsible for non-violence just as each of you is responsible for non-violence. It starts with me. I can't make anyone become non-violent, but I am responsible for my own relationship with non-violence. The only way I can make a difference in the world practicing non-violence is by stopping being violent with myself! This is the only way real change can happen. As said in "The Tai Chi Journey" (Lash, 1989), "The only change that will help anything is the change the individual makes within himself as he fills himself with compassion for his fellows and the world around him. Until human beings have this compassion and a feeling of Oneness, it does not matter what changes we make in government, economic systems, civil rights, etc., because without compassion and Oneness everything will remain based upon selfishness and ego. The Tai Chi person thus passes through life adapting and adjusting to all situations, all the while serving as an example of loving compassion and non-violence for all whom he meets."
My thoughts to myself, and my projected thoughts onto the world and others, are what produce violence, vengeance, and death. However, my thoughts also manifest love, compassion, and forgiveness. It is my choice. It is simple but not easy. I must realize that anger is never justified but instead is reminding me of a thought system I am still actively engaging in. So I am the one who is angry with myself which is being violent with myself. Thus, my mind needs correcting to transcend back to non-violence and love. "Father, we would return our minds to You. We have betrayed them, held them in a vise of bitterness, and frightened them with thoughts of violence and death. Now would we rest again in You, as You created me" (A Course In Miracles, 1975).
So am I saying that I am responsible for all the violence in the world and in the same breath saying that I am responsible for creating non-violence in the world? You bet I am!
And so are you! "He, alone, is responsible for the peace and tranquility of the Tao. This means that where there is disharmony anywhere in the universe, it is his fault. If there is someone starving, if there is war, if someone is homeless, if someone is racially oppressed, if nature is polluted, if a child is abused, if someone is sick, it is the Tai Chi person's fault. If he had done what his nature requires of him, only harmony would reign throughout the Tao. But this realization does not come from a logical analysis of life, nor does Tai Chi teach it: it gradually develops from within the Tai Chi student himself as he journeys ever nearer the Oneness with his own nature. Tai Chi's method for overcoming the disharmony of the world is by example" (Lash, 1989).
Be an example. It truly is the only method that works. Non-violence starts from within. It starts with me and for those reading it starts with you. Heal your mind. Choose to think differently. Practice non-violence inclusively in all areas of your life. Think loving, compassionate, and forgiving thoughts with yourself so you can extend them to others. Experience the empowerment, humility, and self-responsibility of your Godself. Choose to create a loving world of non-violence.
Chew on that for a while…
Yoga Living, January/February 2006
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