Pranams,
There is a popular notion that 'Violence can only be won by Non-violence'. The answer is both true and false. The answer is true from mental or spiritual POV and false from Practical POV We will have to understand both approaches.
Mental / spiritual approach
The approach of countering violence with non-violence is very effective way on personal level. When violent thoughts enter into mind, a sAdhaka (disciple) is taught to counter it by non-violent way. The approach is to stay as a witness, by not letting thoughts and emotions influence your mind and force you to act in a violent way. Any person's opinion is his/her opinion and cannot influence you. Only if and when you start thinking on it, other's thoughts now becomes your thought. If you get involved in violent thoughts you are adding fuel to the fire and keep it burning. Hence first, the thought should be identified and our conscience will help identify it. Next, firm decision must be taken as not to get influenced by it. To reduce influence of thoughts and uproot them, one must detach himself from such thoughts and let it pass by. Silently and peacefully surrender yourself to God and thoughts in some time will lose strength. This is meditative approach which only few practice.
Remember, you and only you can practice meditation. Only you can detach yourself from thoughts and not let them influence you.
Practical Approach
On practical grounds, the case is completely different. Here, a violent person's conscience does not stop him or he does not listen to his own conscience. Hence his mind allows 'the act of violence'. How can other person help such a person unless that person himself decides to change his approach and decides to act against his violent tendencies.
The issue today is topsy turvy when religion is taken into account. While eastern dharmic religions prefer and advocate meditative approach, some religious preachers of Islam teach violence as they core duty. Again the intention behind violence is not noble, it is destructive in nature.
A wrong deed does not become right deed when you do it by pledging belief in a particular saviour.
Our dharma shAstra-s teach us to fight injustice. Be it manusmriti or mahAbhArata or rAmAyaNa. Which form of God did not lift weapons to fight for justice? Even Lord brahmA jI when gets angry will project a rudra from his forehead and rudra will destroy the wrong doers. Female forms like mA kAlI and mA dUrgA too held weapons to protect dharma.
Our ancestors kept fighting with mughals and muslim rulers. Two advaita AchArya-s sAyanAchArya and vidyAraNaya svAmI reconverted HukkA and Bukka to Hinduism and encouranged them to fight muslim rulers. Both brothers fought muslims and won back large part of kingdom known as Vijaynagar, which lasted for 350 years. This kingdom was larger than any muslim kingdom ever established in India.
Some say that Britishers could no longer withstand the onslaught of Shri Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian Nationa Army (INA). Netaji influenced on youngsters and Indian soldiers in Royal British Army. Indian Soldiers refused to attack their fellow Indians and the war of freedom was won.
Shri Guru Govind Singh ji and Shri Tek Bahadur Singh ji along with other brave sikhs dedicated their to fight Muslim invaders.
If you do not fight back, enemy gets impression that we are weak.
Chanakya was also of the opinion of 'eye for an eye' approach.
Peace Talks - things to consider to make it successful
When we talk of ‘peace talks’, they are only possible when both parties wish to genuinely solve the issue by debating on it. Both parties have to be optimistic, be receptive and open to all suggestions, ideas and solutions. For this, they must have a calm mind. If one party is not ready to compromise and not ready to listen i.e. is not receptive, there can be no peace talk.
Mental / spiritual approach
The approach of countering violence with non-violence is very effective way on personal level. When violent thoughts enter into mind, a sAdhaka (disciple) is taught to counter it by non-violent way. The approach is to stay as a witness, by not letting thoughts and emotions influence your mind and force you to act in a violent way. Any person's opinion is his/her opinion and cannot influence you. Only if and when you start thinking on it, other's thoughts now becomes your thought. If you get involved in violent thoughts you are adding fuel to the fire and keep it burning. Hence first, the thought should be identified and our conscience will help identify it. Next, firm decision must be taken as not to get influenced by it. To reduce influence of thoughts and uproot them, one must detach himself from such thoughts and let it pass by. Silently and peacefully surrender yourself to God and thoughts in some time will lose strength. This is meditative approach which only few practice.
Remember, you and only you can practice meditation. Only you can detach yourself from thoughts and not let them influence you.
Practical Approach
On practical grounds, the case is completely different. Here, a violent person's conscience does not stop him or he does not listen to his own conscience. Hence his mind allows 'the act of violence'. How can other person help such a person unless that person himself decides to change his approach and decides to act against his violent tendencies.
The issue today is topsy turvy when religion is taken into account. While eastern dharmic religions prefer and advocate meditative approach, some religious preachers of Islam teach violence as they core duty. Again the intention behind violence is not noble, it is destructive in nature.
A wrong deed does not become right deed when you do it by pledging belief in a particular saviour.
Our dharma shAstra-s teach us to fight injustice. Be it manusmriti or mahAbhArata or rAmAyaNa. Which form of God did not lift weapons to fight for justice? Even Lord brahmA jI when gets angry will project a rudra from his forehead and rudra will destroy the wrong doers. Female forms like mA kAlI and mA dUrgA too held weapons to protect dharma.
Our ancestors kept fighting with mughals and muslim rulers. Two advaita AchArya-s sAyanAchArya and vidyAraNaya svAmI reconverted HukkA and Bukka to Hinduism and encouranged them to fight muslim rulers. Both brothers fought muslims and won back large part of kingdom known as Vijaynagar, which lasted for 350 years. This kingdom was larger than any muslim kingdom ever established in India.
Some say that Britishers could no longer withstand the onslaught of Shri Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian Nationa Army (INA). Netaji influenced on youngsters and Indian soldiers in Royal British Army. Indian Soldiers refused to attack their fellow Indians and the war of freedom was won.
Shri Guru Govind Singh ji and Shri Tek Bahadur Singh ji along with other brave sikhs dedicated their to fight Muslim invaders.
If you do not fight back, enemy gets impression that we are weak.
Chanakya was also of the opinion of 'eye for an eye' approach.
Peace Talks - things to consider to make it successful
When we talk of ‘peace talks’, they are only possible when both parties wish to genuinely solve the issue by debating on it. Both parties have to be optimistic, be receptive and open to all suggestions, ideas and solutions. For this, they must have a calm mind. If one party is not ready to compromise and not ready to listen i.e. is not receptive, there can be no peace talk.
Hari OM
No comments:
Post a Comment