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FREEDOM FROM REACTION (1)
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anything. Have you not taken to the monastic way of lifc? Why then, let the world say what it will, you must keep your own counsel, or you'll never be a true monk!"
To live in this world, blindly reacting to what others say is an impossible undertaking. The great blessing of non-violence is to live in accordance with what is right, irrespective of worldly criticism. As long as the mind is caught in rcaction, a man cannot be said to be truly non-violent. Most men's understanding of non-violence is rather gross. The accidental crushing down of anant under the feet is pronounced to be an act of violence; not so the most rcactionary deed! . What is the cause behind the prevailing indiscipline? Blind reaction. We do not even listen to another, not to spcak of accepting what he says. Indeed each man is inclined to have his own way without any consideration for another. To learn from another is no longer considered to be good form. Amongst the new gencration, intolerance, the tendency never to accept what another says and to flout discipline—all of which constitute voilence-are increasing day by day. There are two reasons for this—thosc privileged to spcak know not what to say or how to say it; and those obliged to hcar do not know how to listen.
Discipline is essential for right living. Social life without discipline is a mere skeleton from which the spirit has evaporated. Each man's body, each living organism, is a skeleton but it moves. What makes it move? The breath of life! It is the power of brcath that makes the body move, without this power, it remains a useless apparatus without any movement or life of its own.
Discipline is the life-breath of our being, but without nonviolence, there can be no discipline. In fact the greater the violence, the greater is the indisciplinc, and conversely, the more mature the spirit of non-violence, the more perfect the discipline. Non-violence manifests itself in action-oriented lise, in total freedomsrom reactionary mentality and consequently from all reaction.
There is the fable of the monkey and the sparrow (weaver-bird) from Panchtantra. The sparrow sat in its nest in a tree and the monkey sat on a branch nearby. The rainy season was in full swing and it was raining hard. The monkey was shivering. The sparrow saw him shiver and said, "O monkey, you resemble man very closely. You have hands and feet like himn. You can do anything. Why don't you build a shelter for yourself?" At this the monkey was filled with great anger. He leapt furiously and tore up the sparrow's nest into shreds and throwing down the bits, exclaimed, "What cheek in you to tell me what I should or should not do! How dare you preach to me! I have hands and feet all right, but I shan't stand your sermonising. If I can't build a house for myself, I can at least bring another's down."
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