Non Violence (Ahimsa) and Spiritual Awareness

The word violence generally conveys the impression of some form of physical aggression. But, the spiritual definition of violence is much broader. It says that violence begins from the moment you have a thought about hurting another living being.

Violence is something that is completely the opposite of peace, whether it is internal or external peace. Therefore, to maintain peace, one should maintain complete non-violence. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan states the definition of non-violence is, “To not hurt any living being, even to the slightest extent, through the mind, speech, or body.” This should remain in your awareness, it should remain in your conviction, then religious and spiritual progress will be possible. This constant awareness can be attained after Self Realization and with the blessings of the Gnani Purush.

Many people also wonder how being a non-vegetarian is considered a form of violence. Param Pujya Dadashri responds, “The general rule is that you cannot destroy what you cannot create.” From this, we can understand that we should not take any living beings’ life because we cannot bring them back to life.

You can learn more about violence (himsa) and non-violence (ahimsa), from the gross to the subtlest levels as exposed in the book, “Non-Violence”. It will serve as a useful guide for those who want to practice non-violence (ahimsa) and desire liberation.

Non-Violence

The simplest way of achieving peace and happiness in life is to heartily pray god every day, 'I don't want to hurt anybody in this world, by my mind, speech or action.'

Spiritual Quotes

"Face all violence with non-violence." If someone uses the weapon of violence, you should use the 'weapon' of non-violence against him. Only this approach will lead to happiness. Violence only stops with non-violence.
On the one hand people pray to the Lord while on the other, they continue to hurt the very beings within which the Lord resides.
To cause someone mental distress, to hurt him, cheat, betray or steal from him is all raudradhyan (adverse internal meditation that hurts others), the consequence of which will be a life in hell.
Ahimsa means to not have a single negative thought about anyone, not even for one's own enemies. A non-violent person will even think about the physical well-being and salvation of his own enemy.
Kashaya is the ultimate violence and that is why the Lord has said that first and foremost, one should not have any kashaya. This type of violence is called self-violence or intent-violence (bhaav-himsa).
There is no greater violence than the kashaya done against other human beings. Show me anyone that does not do this. Those who do no kashaya at home practice true ahimsa.
If a person were to resolve in his mind that under no circumstances does he want to kill any life-form, then he will not be instrumental in causing the death of any life-form.
Protecting life from fear (Abhaydaan) is the highest charity of all.
Only the one, who is absolutely non-violent himself, can show others the true nature of violence. Such a being is eternally established as the Self. These are the Tirthankaras and the Gnanis.
If we have a higher degree of Non-violence within us, a lion will forget its violent intent towards us.
What do the vitaraag (absolutely detached) Lords say? If ahimsa (the practice of non-violence through the mind, speech and body) is maintained in the midst of himsa (violence), then happiness will ensue. Violence can never come to an end by fighting it with violence. Violence will come to an end by practising non-violence against it.
There is nothing more powerful than non-violence (ahinsa) and nothing weaker than violence (hinsa). Who is weak in this world? One who is egoistic. Who is powerful in this world? One who is non-egoistic.
Whom will you commit violence against? The Supreme Lord resides in every living being, so whom will you hurt?
The greatest violence (hinsa) in this world is that of anger-pride-deceit-greed (kashays – the ones that gives pain to soul).
What is the violent intent (bhaav-hinsa)? Violence (hinsa) against your real Self through anger-pride-deceit-greed; meaning anger-pride-deceit-greed that causes bondage to your Self, therefore first have pity on your self. First you need non-violent intent (bhaav-ahinsa) for your own Self and then for others.
To protect one’s own statement is the greatest form of violence. To impress upon others that one's own statement is correct is a form of violence itself.
The enlightened ones (Vitraag Lords) tells us to use the weapon of non-violence (ahinsa) against violence (hinsa). Violence cannot be conquered with violence. It can only be conquered with non-violence.
Ahimsa (the practice of non-violence) is a very exalted thing. There is no abrahmacharya (indulgence in sexual activity) in ahimsa. There is no parigrah (a sense of possessivessness and inner attachment towards things and people) in ahimsa. There is no asatya (falsehood; lying) in ahimsa. Neither is there any chori (stealing; covetousness) in ahimsa.
Non-violence is called that when despite having the full power if someone does something to him, he does not do anything to that person.
Absolute Knowledge (Kevalgnan) can never be attained without the domain of non-violence (ahinsa). Full awareness will not be attained without non-violence (ahinsa).
One will not bleed at all if hit by an arrow shot by someone with a non-violent intent (ahinsak bhaav) but a flower thrown by someone with a violent intent (hinsak bhaav) will make him bleed. Neither the arrow or the flower are not as effective as the violent intent are.

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