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16
NONVIOLENCE
nce.
unity. Nature is characterised by harmony and balaNature is an organic whole. It is a system of inter-relationships and inter-dependence. The Natural world operates in terms of laws or principles, universally the same. The laws of nature ensure order, regularity, dependability and predictability. Nature does not act precipitously. It is not chaotic. Nature is orderly and sequential. The sun shines, rain falls and plants grow. The seed becomes a tree, it dies and new trees grow on its dead leaves and branches. There is a natural circle of being born, growing, dying and decaying. Water runs down-hill, forming streams and rivers, going into the ocean and is taken up into clouds and falls again. Recognizing nature as such, early thinkers declared this to be a moral universe. The fact that there is order, regularity and continuity makes this a moral universe. Nature is a suitable pattern for man to follow. Man is part of nature and nature's value pattern. Man is not an entity set off from all other reality to conquer and command it. Man too is subject to its laws and principles. When man acts in accord with them, he flourishes, when he acts contrary to them, he suffers. As nature is, so is man.
In view of this attribute of reality, man's natural posture towards one another is not one of opposition, antagonism and conflict. The non-dualism of reality means that one cannot validly divide persons into two categories, friend or foe. The complementary nature of reality means that man's natural attitude towards each other is one of mutuality, comradeship and helpfulness, 'a certain natural feeling of kindliness and
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