Training in Nonviolence

Author(s): Mahapragna Acharya
Publisher: Anuvrat Global Organization

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The Development of Nonviolence
In the course of our Ahimsa Yatra we carried out different kinds of experiments in this area.
If we can apply the theory of ahimsa to our practical life and undergo training in ahimsa, verbal discussions will be reduced and we will see more examples of enlightened behaviour. In verbal or theoretical nonviolence we only have lectures, teaching, discourses and theories. For hours there are continuous and fluent speeches and discussions, but it all results in nothing. The main question is how to transform human consciousness. Its only answer is practice (experiment) and training. I deliver discourses before you, but it is not enough to listen to them. Both listening and not listening are equal unless a person goes deep into and ponders over what has been said and his heart and mind are awakened and inspired through practice.
What is most essential for building a good individual and a good society is the transformation of consciousness – which is not possible without practical exercises and training. Today we find that discourses, sermons and lectures are being delivered at thousands of places in the world. If these had been effective remedies by now half the population of the world would have been converted to the ascetic path. Nowadays religious discourses and narrations of anecdotes and tales from sacred literature by sadhus and sannyasis are taking place at many places regularly. You may have a survey conducted by any reputed and credible agency to gauge the impart resulting in a qualitative change in the thinking and attitudes of the people of that area. I think you will be only disappointed when you hear the result. What is surprising is that those who spend the whole day struggling to earn their daily bread do not talk of ahimsa. It is those who are enjoying heavenly grandeur and magnificence that talk of ahimsa. The swamis who own air conditioned ashrams, walk on velvet carpets and are unaccustomed to putting their feet on the thorny and rough roads, talk much of ahimsa and of the people drowning in samsara (ocean of suffering) and burning in the fire of hunger. One fails to see harmony or concord within their life. Result, not action
In my view both himsa (violence) and ahimsa (nonviolence) are not actions, but are results. We will never succeed if we think of stopping or annihilating the result by shutting our eyes to our actions. It is necessary to discuss the way to change the circumstances that cause raag (attachment) and dvesa (hatred). The annual NGO conference is organized by UN/DPI (United Nations Department of Public Information and usually attended by the representatives of the UN accredited NGOs based in 192 countries. Since Anuvibha is associated with UN/ DPI its representative was also invited to attend. When Sohan Lal Gandhi read his paper on this occasion at a workshop on nonviolence training, those who attended wondered if there is any training in ahimsa at all. It was something new for the people. When they were enlightened about it, the delegates from Germany and many other countries extended their support to the cause of nonviolence training,
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