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balanced state of mind. This is a broad definition and covers every field and facet of life. This principle needs to be applied in different ways in different situations.
SELFISHNESS
Taking a step further towards understanding violence and finding ways to avoid it, we find that when human sentiments evolve into mutual relationships, social rules are born. The primary rules are based on sentiments. These sentiments then evolve into rules that benefit the whole society. With the increasing complexity of society, new dimensions are added to these rules. With this increase of complexity comes a greater probability of confrontation or struggle. But at the root of all struggles is the selfishness and ego of the individual. Once again, as it evolves from the basic survival instinct, no one is free of this selfishness, not even religious leaders, social workers, or activists. When individual selfishness arises within a group in any manner, it gives birth to struggle between the individuals comprising the group, and the group's functioning as a cohesive unit gets disturbed. Also, when outside conditions start influencing inner sentiments, contradictions are born, but it is difficult to avoid such interference and influence.
What is the method of completely avoiding such struggle? This is an almost impossible goal. Still, it is certainly possible to reduce struggle. One solution is to suppress selfishness, but this is obviously more easily said than done. It is easier, comparatively, simply to compromise with selfishness. But this, too, carries the risk of going wrong, because the process of compromise is itself adulterated by selfishness. We tend to seek compromises that benefit only us. It is a natural sentiment and cannot be just wished away.
AHIMSA: THE SCIENCE OF PEACE 132 For Private & Personal Use Only
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