the law of life [at 30]

photo above by Anna Sirota

a nonviolent approach in a new decade

I have found that life persists in the midst of destruction. Therefore there must be a higher law than that of destruction. Only under that law would well-ordered society be intelligible and life worth living…
-Mahatma Ghandi quoted in Autobiography of a Yogi

There are always worldly woes, but lately it seems as though violence is being thought of as the answer to unfortunate misunderstandings. When we as individuals react to this, what we often fail to realize is the violence that may exist in our own life [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][even within our reaction to the violence], brought on by ourselves.

Although the ways in which we are violent toward ourselves or others are lightyears different than what we see in the headlines, it is violence nonetheless. The fact that we are in any means harsh, cruel, or angry toward ourselves or another is still a violent approach to how we live.

This may seem an outrageous statement, but consider: do you ever feel disappointed in yourself? Undeserving, angry for something you did or said? Do you use heated, emotionally charged words or actions on another or yourself, whether or not you truly believe they/you deserve it?

It’s a strange conundrum to face, especially when there are situations and people in the world who we may strongly disagree with. But what is a disagreement other than a different point of view or understanding? More importantly, how are we supposed to survive and thrive in this continual circle of fighting violence with more violence, leading to yet more violence?

I hold myself to fairly high standards, and when they aren’t met I often beat myself up – it’s become an undesirable pattern. As this new decade creeps up on me, I sometimes feel disappointed with myself for not achieving what I think I “should” have achieved, or not being where I am “supposed” to be at this age. Who’s to say what that even means, and why retaliate with violent thoughts towards myself? It will only result in more violence, which is why I am taking a new approach inspired by Mahatma Ghandi.

This month marks a golden birthday for me, and I’ve recently made an interesting connection with the relationship between the day I was born and the day the beloved peacemaker was assassinated. Not having done much research on him until recently coming across part of his story in Autobiography of a Yogi, I’ve only known him to be an important human rights figure.

Within the beautiful chapter on Yogananda’s experience with Ghandi, I came across the quote above and below as part of his manifesto on the importance of nonviolence. I was so moved by his dedication to love so completely, without judgement or expectations, simply because he believed that all living beings are made of love regardless of our outward [occasionally violent] actions.

Yes, I understand the arguments for self-defense and protection, but can’t we look deeper at what it truly means to practice nonviolence as much as humanly possible?:

…If that is the law of life we must work it out in daily existence. Wherever there are wars, wherever we are confronted with an opponent, conquer by love. I have found that the certain law of love has answered in my own life as the law of destruction has never done…

It takes a fairly strenuous course of training to attain a mental state of nonviolence. It is a disciplined life, like the life of a soldier. The perfect state is reached only when the mind, body, and speech are in proper coordination. Every problem would lend itself to solution if we determined to make the law of truth and nonviolence the law of life.

Just as a scientist will work wonders out of various applications of the laws of nature, a man who applies the laws of love with scientific precision can work greater wonders. Nonviolence is infinitely more wonderful and subtle than forces of nature like, for instance, electricity. The law of love is a far greater science than any modern science.

So in my upcoming 30th year on this planet, in this lifetime, I vow to commit myself to as much of a nonviolent nature as I can. Of course, as a human, I may sometimes falter, but I encourage all of us to respond with nonviolence whenever possible [even if the initial reaction is violence]. Because nonviolence results in forgiveness, which we could all use a little more of.

The greatest golden birthday gift I could ever receive is for you to spread the health by spreading a loving, nonviolent nature, starting with yourselves.

What’s your law of life [at any age]?

Read the rest of the newsletter for not one but three excellent breakfast recipes, good music + more.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]