Non-violence: A global imperative
By Joyce A. Kovelman

MY people, the Jewish people, are known as the "People of the Book"... Torah. The foundation of Torah is peace. And, like many of you, we are an ancient people. Our history spans 6,000 earth years. As a Jew, there is never any doubt that life, all life, is sanctified and sacred. Life, a gift from the Creator, is to be valued, cherished and protected. In the words of the Sixth Commandment, the imperative is clear: "Thou shalt not murder". There are no ands, ifs, buts or exceptions to this principle.

Our tradition also advise and encourages us to help one who has harmed or wronged them. Never are we to punish. The Jewish goal is peace through redemption and transcendence of anger and rage, not through vengeance. God distinguishes between the deed and the person and leaves open the possibility of return. So must we. Judiasm teaches that only by discarding and transforming hatred, anger, resentment and vengeance can we break the vicious cycle of reciprocity that prevents humankind from living in peace with another (e.g. Bosnia, Cambodia, Mid-East, etc.). Personal transformation, redemption and reconciliation are authentic Jewish paths to peace and harmony. Non-violence is a Jewish imperative.

Having shared ideas from the Jewish path of peace, let us listen to the wisdom from peace-makers of other traditions.

"If you want see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred". (Bhagavadgita)

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realise their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realise at the center of the Universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us." (Black Elk, Lakota)

"Do we want a world of peace and harmony? Are we willing to make that peace within ourselves? Will we call it forth? It is your choice. Your thoughts and action make a difference." (Dhyani Ywahoo, Cherikee)

"All I claim is that every experiment of mine has deepened my faith in non-violence as the greatest force at the disposal of mankind." (Gandhi)

Ahimsa, non-violence, comes from strength, and the strength is from God, not man. Ahimsa always comes from within." (Gandhi)

"A mystical awakening would surely birth that ‘peace on earth’ for which creation longs — the promise given 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. Peace on earth cannot happen without peace with the earth and peace among all earth creatures." (Mathew Fox, Creation Spirituality)

"Violence is man’s ‘refusal’ to respond positively to his evolutionary destiny..... Humankind is called to unity and to converge at every level from the personal to the global" (Teilhard de Chardin, Christianity)

"No peace which is not peace for all, no rest till all has been fulfilled."(Dag Hammarskjold, Sweden)

"Non-violence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him" (Martin Luther King, Jr., Christianity)

"...it is contrary to reason to hold that war is now a suitable way to restore rights that have been violated." (Pope John XXIII, Catholicism)

Clearly, every tradition, ancient and new, encourages humankind to travel the paths of peaceful non-violence and survival. Non-violence is a global imperative!

What about today? The lust for power, greed, control and domination still exist, as evidenced by the almost daily crime, violence, warfare, and holocausts of our present world. The media glorifies crime, hate and war, encouraging everyone to find entertainment in the "violence of the moment!" People are angry, down-trodden, enraged and jealous of their neighbours, and pursue materialistic satisfaction, often at the expense of their fellow-man. We are wantonly and rapidly destroying our planetary home, cutting down the rain forests (home to so many plant and animal species now extinct), spilling toxic waste into our oceans, and depleting top soil; All are acts of violence perpetrated upon our planet. We are rapidly approaching a point of major crisis and must seek better ways of dealing with individual, cultural, national and global conflict if we are to secure a lasting peace.

A slowly dying earth cries out to humanity to change its ways before it is too late. Anger, hate, helplessness and despair have locked us into an endless cycle of poverty, crime and violence, which has failed to solve our problems. The hungry, poor, homeless and diseased also cry out for help and plead for peace!

Despite our technology and scientific advancement, the opportunity for war and total annihilation of humankind has never been greater nor more deadly. Sadly, humankind has not yet reached the maturity and wisdom to avoid war and crime in favour of peace and the prosperity and the creativity it would bring.

Yet, there can be no victors or winners in the aftermath of nuclear, chemical or germ warfare. Its consequences will be cosmic as well as global! Indeed, the time has come for humankind to outlaw war and to recognise that warfare is never "fair" to anyone. Rich and poor, black, brown, red, white and yellow, young and old, male and female — all lose if we continue to kill, to plunder, to pollute, to steal, to sin. It is not diversity that leads to war. Rather it is the suppression and fear of our differences that has created conflict and violence. It is denial of each individual’s full creativity and expression that has led to endless cycles of poverty, crime and violence.

The cost of waging a war, of nuclear arms, missiles, submarines, and military personnel is enormous. Even more expensive are the human costs, i.e. those on both sides of the conflict who die in battle. Those that survive, remain forever hospitalised, disabled or handicapped. Many remain emotionally disturbed and are unable to function. And what about the children who live in the midst of daily death and destruction? Such children grow up with hatred and determination of continue the war for another generation, and another generation. The cost of war is high indeed. Too high!

"Treat the earth well...

It was not given to you by your parents...

It was lent to you by your children." (A proverb from Kenya)

"This we know. The earth does not belong to man. Man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life. He is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." (Chief Seattle, 1854.)

Our children are scared and frightened. They worry about earth’s survival as well as their own. Open your hearts and listen to their words.

"Dear God, please save the world. Even if you’re not crazy about it." (Lionel, Age 8)

"How I would save the world. First, I would take all the generals and put them in a big boat in the middle of the ocean. Then I would forget to pick them up. (Robert, Age 9)

To survive, humanity urgently requires a new vision. We need to turn away from ways of destruction and war, and instead, explore ways of peace. We must foster inner and outer processes of transformation, for both are necessary to resolve the personal, social, environmental and spiritual problems presently facing humankind. This is the challenge awaiting humanity at the threshold of a new millennium.

The paths of peace invite each individual to engage in a process of personal transformation and healing — to transcend the ordinary in order to evolve personally and spiritually. Contemplation, meditation, introspection and psychospiritual counselling support and guide our process. Peace requires each of us to suspend judgement and embrace duality. We begin by taking responsibility for our feelings of anger, fear, happiness or sadness, rather than look to others. Conscious awareness of our thoughts, ideas and feelings decreases our enslavement to old patterns of behaviours, and enable us to make more conscious and responsible choices. The freer we are, the less need we have to blame or to find fault with others for our own difficulties and disappointments. As we proceed to work with our self, we become more comfortable with different belief systems, traditions, nations and peoples. We learn to negotiate and to resolve both inner and outer conflicts, so that every voice is heard and honoured. Peaceful non-violence enables us to move from a simplistic black and white world-view to a more realistic understanding of what is real, as well as what is possible.

Humanity must decide not to wage a war anymore. We must decide never to murder! We must choose not to pollute! We must, instead, evolve and develop a passion for harmony and peace far greater than our present passion for power, control and domination. We must use our science and technology for good, rather than for destruction.

Have you ever considered what a world at peace would be like? Most of us have little difficulty in contemplating this idea initially. But once we rid the world of crime, bombs, gangs, violence, war, etc. we grow perplexed. This is a world so vastly different from the present world in which we live. This is a world quite alien to our senses and understanding. Yes, a peaceful and non-violent world is very different than our present world.

Let us now close our eyes and quiet our minds. Let us try to catch a taste and glimpse of a truly messianic age.

Find a comfortable position and know that you are safe. You may stop at any time... there is nothing that you must do.

Begin by taking four deep breaths, at your own pace. Allow your mind and body to gradually slow down. Sense relaxation and calm move through you and beyond you.

I invite you to imagine a world at peace. You might choose one special area of interest, such as education, family, career, the biosphere... or perhaps you will want to look at the big picture and consider the totality of peaceful world.

We begin by subduing our anger and quenching our thirst for control and power. Let go of hate, vengeance and greed. You no longer need their protection. You no longer need to defend yourself from others.

Instead, place you faith in the Almighty. Trust that God will send you guidance and strength no matter what situation or event occurs. Realise that you are now a person who courageously chooses the path of non-violence and peace.

Take a few minutes to experience the calm and bliss of this state of unity and harmony. Whenever you are ready, take three deep breaths and open your eyes. Return your awareness to the world of space, time and matter.

It is helpful to write your impressions and feelings in a journal, to draw, to sing, or whatever the spirit urges you to do, as an expression of this experience.