Monday 10 March 2008

This week we begin a section on the principles of non-violence.



Ahimsa (non-violence) is for Gandhi the basic law of our being. That is why it can be used as the most effective principle for social action, since it is in deep accord with the truth of (human) nature and corresponds to (humanity's) innate desire for peace, justice, order, freedom, and personal dignity. Since himsa (violence) degrades and corrupts (humanity), to meet force with force and hatred with hatred only increases (humanity's) progressive degeneration. Non-violence, on the contrary, heals and restores (humanity's) nature, while given humanity a means to restore social order and justice. Ahimsa is not a policy for the seizure of power. It is a way of transforming relationships so as to bring about a peaceful transfer of power, effected freely and without compulsion by all concerned, because all have come to recognize it as right.



I must admit, I think that people really do desire peace, justice, order, freedom, and personal dignity. I also know that we choose to be a violent people because we have our own way of seeing such characteristics. Unfortunately, we are too often unwilling to enter into the discussion needed to flesh out how our differences need not be reasons for war...but rather opportunities to pursue peace all the more. It is only within that non-violent willingness to open up our hearts that we begin to see the vision for peace or justice that is really at the heart of others. It is in those moments that the day is able to be open to transformation rather then to the plotting of warfare and revenge and the violence that so often typifies how we deal with a divided house. It is quite amazing how quickly we fall into the realm of violence...too fast...too easily.



Connection: Are we being drawn toward others or are we working to separate ourselves from them? This may be an interesting thing to watch today.



Restoring Lord, you know us and you see how much good there is within all of us. Open our eyes so that as we look at one another, we can begin to give the "other" space for them to be known to us as we become known to them. Amen.