Question for Deepak:
I attended your talk tonight at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. You may or may not remember, but as you were signing copies of Jesus I was the one who asked you why you don’t make it a "pro-peace" vow instead of a "non-violence" vow. Wouldn’t a "doing" action be better than a "not-doing" action? Additionally, wouldn’t such a vow potentially lead to an attachment? I very much enjoyed your talk tonight and look forward to learning more.
Answer from Deepak:
The vow of non-violence is a vow of peace. It amounts to the same thing. Whatever language one chooses there are certain pitfalls associated with it. As we know, people have tried to justify war and violence in the name of peace as well. I see the vow of non-violence in terms of the Sanskrit word Ahimsa, which is anactive interaction with others and nature on the basis of the spiritual unity which connects us all. So non-violence is not passive, but active in a nurturing way. Ahimsa describes behavior that respects and supports all who are involved. It assumes a universality the way that the greeting namaste recognizes the divinity in others is the same as the divinity within us.
When we see, feel and know that consciousness that we are all a part of, then becoming a peacemaker comes naturally, and compassion, joyfulness, and friendliness towards others is just an expression of who we are.
Love,
Deepak
I agree that non violence and pro peace are just two sides of the same coin. Eventhough neither of them truly exist….they both counteract a belief in a separation from God (which is also an illusion).
With other words…if we're gonna dream….why not dream a dream that serves us and reflects more our true Self.
I disagree with you Deepak as when people think of non-violence, it still creates violent images in their mind. As everyone knows, our thoughts, visuals, words, and emotions are how we create. If 100 million of us are thinking of violence when we take the vow, then we are doing exactly the opposite of what is intended. Tell someone not to think of a pink elephant and…..you know what happens. It is human nature and we all directly associate words with visualization ESPECIALLY a word such as violence even with the word NON in front of it. Tell the universe what you want as opposed to what you don't want. Let's not put any more energy into the word violence. The word non-violence may be active in a nurturing way, but you need to think of all the people who are going to take the vow and the fact that they will immediately picture violence and the ramifications of that. Why not use the word we want to create with and not take any chances with 100 million people. The synergy we are creating with this is amazing and I'd like to make sure it does what is intended. I am sooo passionate about this vow, so let's do it at beneficially as possible
Namaste,
Krissy
Creating PEACE in the world is a wonderful vow! I am 100% on board. This also means amongst each other right here. It's funny, just lately, because of the election, I see how divided our country is. I've always believed live and let live. We all agree to disagree, but respecting each other
In a world of compassion, kindness and love there is no violence and there is always peace.
Touch Everthing Attach Nothing and Give Peace a Chance!
Ziggy
I love the term ahimsa. It feels like a word of wholeness rather than the dark versus the light. How about a vow of Ahimsa?!
I'm torn on the idea of a vow of peace versus a vow of non-violence. The idea of using the word violence does seem as if it would bring energy to violence. When I'm teaching my students to meditate and thinking of their desires for a moment before they begin each meditation, I always tell them to think of the positive outcome they want, rather than something they want to be rid of; because we give life and expansion to where we put our attention. At the same time, violence is a part of being human. it just is, as part of the separateness from spirit we experience in our bodies. So a vow to neutralize those thoughts when they spontaneously appear, to not voice them, and to not participate in a violent act seems to be a positive course of action. And in that, it seems we take action for peace. perhaps a bit clumsy though.
If we could take a moment to explain the essence of the word ahimsa to those we ask to take this vow, and then use this Sanskrit word in the vow, (instead of the words peace or non-violence), wouldn't that be ideal? I think largely in part to yoga classes becoming mainstream, so many in our population now easily use and answer to the term Namaste. They don't all know exactly what it means, but somehow they resonate with the word. I think it can be just as easy to bring Ahimsa – the word, its meaning, and the practice – into our everyday thoughts and awareness. What do you think?
Mahaila – Like you, I love the word "ahimsa" and use it often. It has a vibrating quality that goes straight to my heart. I have often wondered if the word has such power because of the energy generated by venerable sages who lovingly embraced it's path over many, many centuries. Thank you for reminding me of the great power inherent in this term. Love, Greg
I like the thought of Pro Peace myself. It conjures up a peaceful vision in my mind.
Yes, Deepak 's lecture was excellent the other night in San Francisco, as there appeared to be a lot of new material, so I don't know how I missed it all before, unless I just did not catch it completely earlier. Anyway, if anyone missed the lecture, a lot of the information can be found on the "ANH," website in the 'be the change,' area which has some really good self-directed articles on how to 'be the change' that we desire to see in the world.
Cheers,
Char
Just maybe the word "non-volience" is a stepping stone for many to "peace," as a volient society can relate to the word non-volience better than to the word peace, as volience can be understood and peace cannot be comprehended. Therefore, "non" something makes perfect sense, as one learns to eliminate it. Then what is left is peace, at which time, society as a whole will embrace as the truth.
Love, Char
I mean no disrespect to Deepak in my disagreeing. I am just soooooooo passionate about this vow as it is my mission in this life to expand the consciousness on this planet. This Vow for Peace is the answer due to the incredible synergy we are creating. By creating within the collective, we are making the change more quickly
I am excited for the world my children are inheriting and experiencing with Deepak Chopra as our leader.
WOOOHOOOO!!
Namaste,
Krissy
I think here it is certainly more appropriate to call it non-violence rather than peace. If you ever ask a criminal to take a vow of Peace , he would happily take a vow of peace and guess what which way is that gonna be for him
Shweta,
I see your point and you articulated it beautifully. When we are creating via words, thoughts, and actions, we want to see the outcome of those creations. We want to live the result which is peace. The universe reacts to what is. The universe is the now. If we are thinking violence or 'less' violence because peace it just too far a stretch for most people, then that is only settling. Don't you agree? We are here to create a dream. My dream is not of LESS violence, but of PEACE. We have the power to make whatever we want a reality especially with the collective force of a 100 million people +, then why would we not got for it and make peace that reality? When we say the word violence, even with the word non preceding it, it conjures up negative emotions. The word sends out a negative vibration to the universe. There are different energies attached to each word. Violence has a bad vibrational energy and peace has a soothing peaceful energy. Saying or thinking the word violence leaves me uncomfortable and makes me cringe. The universe will respond in like to that negative emotion and vibration and give me more of it. When I say peace, I love it. I feel amazing and the universe responds to that feeling giving me more of it in my experience. That is the intention here, or at least that is my interpretation of it. Peace is what we are creating, and peace is what we need to order from the universe menu. You don't go to a restaurant and tell them what you don't want. They'd look at you like you are nuts as that makes no sense. Why would you not just get to the point of what you would like as opposed to what you don't? You tell them what you do want and they bring it to you. The universe is the same. Tell the universe what you want, and it will respond. Every time as long as you believe it, allow it, and are in complete alignment.
Namaste,
Krissy