Light of Nonviolence

Author(s): Sushilmuni
Publisher: Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh Delhi

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the owl, I was his friend by the third night, and I was able to have a normal conversation with him. It felt like we both had respect for each other. And the dream was as vivid as the waking state of everyday consciousness. In my dream I asked, "owl, do you know about the human world? Can you see into the future?" And he replied, "yes, I know all about the human world and it is in big trouble if the way of thinking does not change. Humans have become so strong that they will destroy the Earth and themselves unless they can accept the ways of nonviolence, love, and caring towards all people, animals, plants, and living beings. Humans must learn to love the Earth, care for and communicate with all its life-forms, and the god within. This is the only way that humans can survive and not destroy themselves."
I woke up after that dream and knew that the owl was right. There are so many problems in the real world like population, poverty, inequalities, armies, governments, and social injustice in general, that I wondered if we would ever perfectly realize the goals of nonviolence. But I also realized that as long as we listened to the deep voices within us, as when they come in dreams, and act toward our goals, there is hope for humanity.
After that, I went back to the village although my friend, the owl, was still in a trance. In the village, I met a priest and he asked me if I had heard about a gang of thieves who had broken into several houses the night before and had stolen jewellery, money and even some furniture. I replied, "No, I have only been listening to an owl."
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