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SHREE CHITRABHANU
S.C.: One-pointed--there should not be a dichotomy between your belief and your behavior; belief and behavior must be integrated. There must be what is called the music of integration.
L.M.: We should be harmonious, and not full of cacophony, disharmony.
S.C.: That is the purpose. So these four enemies, you conquer them. And then the example, the model is there; you can see the beautiful statue here of Mahavira. Then I meditate, I say: I also can become peaceful, exactly like him. It is not his privilege alone. It is my privilege. We have a vision or thought of him in our meditation in order to find our self. That my self is like that way of Mahavira: he is peaceful, with pleasant eyes, peaceful mind, and healthy body. And we allow the world to flow in its own way. So we build relations with the self, build relations with people; and we build relations with the universe, which is helping to sustain you. And don't do himsa, or violence, to anything.
Ahimsa is the first thing; it dawns in your mind. Ahimsa is, I want to be completely in tune with myself. And not hurt anybody. I always give, identify these six letters of the word ahimsa. The first letter a, is for appreciation. I appreciate myself. I appreciate being a human being, and having five good senses, and feeling well-being. I am alive. Then I say, I will be harmless, which is the h in ahimsa. Next is i-that I will have some kind of integration with whatever I do; with my words, with my actions, and with my thoughts.
L.M.: I suppose that extends to other creatures besides human beings as well?
S.C.: All, all—because we are supported by all, ecologically speaking. We are not alone. I wear clothes woven by somebody; my watch is made by somebody; my glasses are made by somebody; my food is made by somebody. How can I say my religion, my people—what is mine? You are supported by innumerable, invisible hands. That is why your connection is, or should be, harmonious with the universe. Any separation from them is a separation from yourself. So the third is integration, the i in ahimsa.
The fourth letter of ahimsa is m, for mastery. I have to master my impulses. I have to be a master of myself.
L.M.: Does that happen only very gradually? Or is it a lifetime's work?
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