Training In Nonviolence - Theory & Practice: The Seeds of Peace and War Originate in Human Mind

The anatomy of human brain is very unique. The number of the cells that fill it is innumerable and is unthinkable for an ordinary person. It has billions and trillions of neurons and their connections. In the human brain if there is a mechanism that causes anger, there is also another one, which prevents it. If a particular part of the brain that causes anger becomes more active, the other part will say, “Do not get so angry; if you do not control your anger, your heart will be adversely affected.” There is an in-built inner system, which controls or stimulates our emotions. It is quite natural for the heart to be affected adversely if there is an uncontrollable state of anger. There were incidents in which some people died from an excess of anger, hence do not fly into a rage, have restraint. We have both the systems within us - the one that stimulates and the other that controls it. If the human brain has a mechanism that instigates violence, it has another one, which inspires nonviolence. Both the systems that cause peace and nonviolence are present in our brain. In order to create respect for life it is necessary for us to awaken that part of the brain that stores peace and nonviolence but which remains dormant. It is only then that the discussion about world peace can proceed further. The human brain has two hemispheres. One hemisphere is active and awake while the other lies dormant. What is necessary is that the hemisphere, which is more active is harmonized and that which is dormant is awakened.

Let us see an example of the human lifestyle today. When does a modern man sleep? Ordinarily he sleeps at midnight. There are some who sleep at 1 am, 2 am or even at 3 am. They are not able to wake up till it is almost noon. How can we discuss peace with them? Their brain lies asleep at a time when it is conducive to peace. Earlier the people of India talked of waking up in the braham muhurat (the time that begins at 4 am and continues till the sunrise). Even the scientist of today say that the time from 4 am onwards in the morning is the time for the secretation of serotonin chemical. It is proved that the more the serotonin secrates, the more one will experience peace and joy. One who doesn’t get this secration will remain restless. It is quite natural that the restless mind will continue to think of violence, unrest and conflict and he will also be inclined to them. When I look at the modern lifestyle, it appears to me that nonviolence cannot flourish till this lifestyle changes. We will also have to think of setting the time of eating, the time of sleeping etc.

This lifestyle that we see today is the result of a particular stream of thinking. It is creating a big problem. When we think of respect for life, it is imperative that we also think of nonviolence and peace. Let us awaken such comprehensive consciousness as may help us in evaluating life. We can awaken the consciousness of peace and nonviolence by combining education with the Science of Living. We can thus learn how to respect life.

– An excerpt from the Jain Declaration on Nature