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A himsa is a Powerful Means to achieve peace.
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Ahimsa is a Positive Attitude that purifies our emotions.
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Ahimsa is a Permanent Solution for eternal existence.
The importance of Non-Violence has existed in the past, present and will continue in the future. Ahimsa is a focal point in the development of human beings. The thought-provoking message of Bhagwan Mahavir: “Savve Jiva vi icchanti jivium na marijjhium” means every creature wants to live, nobody wants to die; awakens the consciousness of environmental protection. Careful and intentional protection of water beings, air beings, fire beings, earth beings and plant beings actually is an act of protecting one’s own self. The above goal can be achieved by training our brain to observe the following guidelines:
- Minimizing of our material and non-material wants and desires.
- Setting limits for our needs.
- Quitting the ‘use and discard’ culture.
- Stopping the process of deforestation.
- Being conscious of the usage of water, fire and electricity at all times.
- Strengthening our will power for controlling our senses, emotions, character and food habits.
Consumption of meats, eggs and alcohol must be strictly avoided. These in turn lead to other health disorders such as that of the kidney, liver, heart and the digestive tract. One invites grave illnesses by the intake of animal protein. Thus it is important to awaken the spirit of non-violent consciousness.
There are two types of Ahimsa - Positive and Negative.
Positive Ahimsa
is encouraging welfare for all living beings. It constitutes the development of deep compassion, love, friendliness, spirit of brotherhood and service to all. It should be observed through positive thoughts, soft and encouraging words and kind actions. One must strive hard to train his/her mind to make this a way of life.
Thousands of scientists are pre-occupied in the research and invention of destructive weapons. Soldiers are undergoing training for staging wars. Brain washed suicide bombers are ready to ignite terrorism all around the globe. Unfortunately, natural calamities are taking place to add to the climate of panic and uncertainty in every walk of life. These are the dreadful fruition of man’s false ego, anger, hatred, endless desires, selfishness, and the desire for sensual pleasures. Under such circumstances, positive ahimsa motivates one to overcome unscrupulous personalities. If all individuals practiced eradication of ill wishes it would be a different society we would be living in.
Negative Ahimsa:
is prohibiting harming, killing, deceiving, cheating or any other negative activity that could result in hurting not only ourselves but also others.
Transformation of the Heart:
Medical science has concluded that particular hormones are secreted in our bodies when we experience certain types of emotions. In order to understand, treat and ultimately eliminate the root cause of man’s violent behavior more research needs to be done on the secretion of these hormones. For that a transformation of the heart will be needed. Not a physical pumping heart, mind you! But, the emotional area of our brain (Hypothalamus and Limbic systems) is the main heart of our body that needs transformation. Methods on controlling negative emotions and strengthening positive attitude will change our hearts.
Preksha Meditation
can change the heart and feelings of an individual. It is capable of bringing about spiritual, social, political and economic transformation in the entire universe. Training of the mind results in emotional balance and enhancement of Ahimsa. For example, Anger is a negative emotion, which can be controlled by practicing white color meditation on the emotional area of the brain. Contemplation and autosuggestion can help control our selfish behavior and eliminate attachments.
Behavioral Training
provides ample opportunities for Ahimsa to work. It can reform human relations by the application of small but powerful formulas such as, ‘let go’, ‘no problem’, ‘whatever happens, happens for the good’, ‘ I will be careful, next time’. These slogans promote peace and harmony in family, social and professional relationships.
Acharya Sri Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragyaji have established a forum called ‘Ahimsa Samvay’. It encompasses research, training and experiment in the field of non-violence. To promote this, Acharya Mahapragyaji has been actively dispersing the message of Ahimsa, Peace and Morality through the ‘Ahimsa March’ since the past five years. Let us train our brain to walk on the path of Ahimsa to enlighten our inner prosperity. Ahimsa is to Himsa, just as light is to darkness, nectar is to poison and life is to death.