It is compassion for the whole, for the All, which must guide our deliberations
about Non-violence. Baba says we have to "crucify the
ego on the cross of compassion." A parent realizes this when
chastising a child for a wrongdoing: inevitably the child will suffer;
however, for the chastisement to be Non-violent, above all else, in
the midst of its sufferings, the child must feel loved. Only then can
the parent conclude that the act was devoid of ego and violence. When
any of us is ignored, corrected, scolded or rejected by out Lord Sai,
at the same time as feeling hurt or disappointed, we also feel enveloped
by His all-encompassing Love. We know without doubt that He has our
best interests at heart, that His behavior is truly Non-violent.
Regardless of the situation, we are advised to keep in mind always
the Oneness of all Creation. We are the suffering cows, the damaged
tree, the shivering poor in winter, the neglected child and the polluted
sea. We are also society as a whole, all men and women, all of Nature
with its exquisite balance and harmony. Action that must be taken will
consider the welfare of the whole as well as that of the individual.
Great understanding and compassion is required for this journey into
Non-violence.
The ideal should be: hands dedicated to hard
work, heads dedicated to service and hearts filled with compassion.
Vivekananda exhorted students to cultivate compassion. No one should
suffer harm or pain through our words or deeds. For, when another
is hurt by us, what really happens is insult and injury to our true
nature, as men. Attention is now paid solely to the self and its wishes.
This must be reversed. Not what we can get from others, but what we
can give others – that must be the concern.
