On Non-Violence

Non-violence is the conscious practice of not harming anyone or anything; neither harm nor harmful intentions must result from thoughts, speech and actions. Such a state of mind is engendered by an inner transformation that embraces the practice of unconditional compassion and caring towards one and all. This transformation could result from firm conviction in a spiritual principle. The spiritual principle that everything in the universe is the extension of one's self, governed Mahatma Gandhi's practice of non-violence; he thus named the practice of non-violence as Satyagraha which translates as a "the firm belief in the Universal Truth".

The practice of non-violence leads to startling and perplexing responses to situations. For example, after the massacre at Jallianwalla Bagh in 1919, Mahatma Gandhi did not want to punish General Dyer, the perpetrator, as this would simply be an act of revenge or retaliation against an individual. Instead Mahatma Gandhi wanted the system that created the unjust laws that the General took advantage of, to be changed. In the practice of non-violence the means are not different from the end.

Mahatma Gandhi asserts that the practice of non-violence is a continuous inner struggle to recognize and respect the Universal Truth. Until one resonates with this Truth, the practice of non-violence could remain incomprehensible. When the practice of non-violence produces the desired response, this is also accompanied by a shameful realization of the spiritual principle of interconnectedness, by the oppressor or aggressor. In this way, the practice of non-violence is spread. The non-violent approach of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement, shamed oppressors to give up racial segregation. A violent rebellion would have suffered even greater loss of life and increased the reluctance to give up the inequalities.

Although mankind has sacrificed tens of millions of its sons and daughters in violent military conflicts, the prospect of everlasting global peace is not in our reach. Violence and conflict achieve control by instilling the fear of retaliation, and the resulting truce lasts only as long as the control exists. Consequently, ensuring long-term peace by the violent method requires the continued presence of the threat of excessive force and acceptance of living perpetually in fear. This causes the most powerful countries to suffer enormous expenditures in defense and deterrence. In this process, we weave an awfully tangled web around ourselves.

Our nine-year war on terrorism has consumed our men and resources and we still live in the fear of terror attacks. Violent military conflicts abroad have increased the suffering of the poor and enraged our aggressors. In a non-violent approach we will focus on seeking answers to: Why do these attackers hate and fear us? What is the threat that feeds their fears? Can we dispel our mutual fears? What would it take to transform our perceptions of each other? How can we tap into the ample goodness of our respective religious faiths to seek understanding? If we can answer these questions, there is surely a non-violent solution.