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Vol. XXIII, No. 4
201
Purification of the Self :
There are many experiments in progress in the field of nonviolence. But in our view, these are not very practical, they merely serve as a basis for experimentation. The aim of training in nonviolence is to envolve the spirt of equality. For this the three values to be developed are non-possession, non-violence and non-absolu. tism. Only through this trinity can equality be established. Hence the above trio is the essence of non-violence training.
The starting point of training in non-violence is renunciation of ego i.e. training in self purification. The cause of inequality is egotism. We must impart training in disolving egotism and seek to establish a corrsponding economic order. The equalitarion approach would then be gradually strengthened. With the evolution of the equalitarian approach, inequality would gradually diminish.
The second point in the purification of the self is the refinement of the individualistic point of view. The principle underlying such refinement is interdependence. One man cannot live without another 's cooperation. We are depend on one another. If one foot is advanced but the other foot remains stationary, thero would be no progress.
The third element in purification of the self is training in the evolution of the spirit of ronunciation. In general view the essence of life prevailing to-day lies in material development. It is hedonistic view point. This must be discarded. Material needs must be satisfied but renunciation is the very ornament of life and it should be practised
How a violent man can be transformed into non-violent. This requires two fold procoss-(1) disassociation of mind from old violent habits and (ii) formation of new habits. The training in non-violence requires a tolerant mind, if with patience we suggest our mind and body, it is sure to change our old habits and arouse new consciousness. The change becomes possible only when our attitude is changed. We are affected by so many wrong attitudes towards others. If this wrong attitude is removed and right attitude towards man, animals and nature is formed non violence will suceed.
The change of mind or heart is not a random process. Transitory nature of things, feeling of [lovliness and acceptance of the principle of difference between body and the soul can develop this change. Acharya Mahaprajna opines that the process of the chaoge of mind is very easy for the child and to some extent difficult for the adult but not impossible.
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