Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sages throughout the ages have illustrated the practices of non-violence as an essential means to solving problems in our society.  Yet many leaders of non-violence died violent deaths in their calls for peace.  Could the forces of non-violence actually inspire the forces of violence?  The concept of non-violence is certainly not a new concept, but one that is often sorely misunderstood and unrealized within our current societal structures as well as within our very own personal relationships.  We need only look at the current violent outbreaks around our country to see the societal reality, but the personal reality is often much more elusive.

Many of us are simply not aware of the connection our particular actions have to the violent acts of others, or simply refuse to see the connections.  If we could see the many generations of suffering in one person’s acts, our compassion for each life would increase.  But realizing these personal ties to violence is difficult because these ties run deep and justified through long held mind processes.

So, let’s say you meditate daily, infuse  your mind with kindness and love (certainly not an easy feat in itself).  You work steadily to fortify your body and mind with uplifting practices.  How does this strong body and mind relate to a violent world completely out of whack?  In other words, if one finds peace inside, how does one balance into the violent storms raging outside?  Is the only answer to retreat to a cave in the Himalayas?

The outward signs of violence are obvious, but the inner layers of violence within one’s self are often difficult to see and consequently much more difficult to transcend.  An awareness of one’s participation in these personal expressions of violence are the first steps in effective change.  A meditation practice helps one to see the mind more clearly.  Only through recognizing and removing the mind chatter of violence can external change happen.  The mind fuels the body’s language and physical actions.  It’s not an easy process to follow this mind chatter because it takes continual self-study into each personal action and reaction, and that’s a big mandate.

So, here’s a simple meditative moment to help:

Watch closely your mind today.  Your actions in what you say and do may appear pretty obvious.  So, let’s look instead at the thoughts which we think no one else sees (ha!)

Every time your thought turns to anger or hatred, mark it down – just keep a tally of marks.  Watch how many times your thoughts turn to condemnation of yourself and others.  See how many marks you accumulate by the end of  the day.  This isn’t easy – our thoughts move swiftly.  And this is not to say your anger isn’t justified.  This is simply an exercise in awareness, in self-awareness to help remove veils into experiencing the reality of a peaceful existence.  Increasing self-awareness so you and I can sincerely, strongly and effectively walk the talk of peace.

Just watch. 

Simply watch your thoughts. 

One thought at a time.