What is Ahimsa. What are the practical ways to achieve it.– Arun Kumar V
Ahimsa in the common usage is seen as non-violence but the correct way to understand that is the mental state of wishing no one any harm. The intention as well as the action is important. The Mind normally reacts negatively and sometimes reacts with anger, irritation etc. In the path of Ahimsa these reactions will not and should not arise.
The practical way to progress on this path is not very dissimilar to the path one has to follow for disciplining the Mind/Will.
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Once the habit of being able to control the Mind starts, then one can guide the Mind to slowly stop reacting violently. Again this will not happen overnight and will need continuous practice and discipline.
The outward manifestation of Ahimsa will be that the person will become calm, not harm others by thought or action, will give up any practices which hurt others.
However this will not mean they will give up their beliefs. Hence even a worldly person can practice Ahimsa.
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The root is to change the Mental reaction and subsequent follow up thoughts. For this, there is no solution except meditation, consciously rejecting any violent reactions when they arise and trying to develop a deep love for all.
Would it be possible for you to illustrate your articles through stories from the Mahabharatha or Ramayana?– Thangamani
Many persons have asked this question. What I am writing is what I have observed or experienced. Like many others, I have grown up being exposed to these wonderful epics and have been moved & inspired by them. They have also caused various questions to arise.
However, after being exposed to the real meaning of the Gita or the Upanishads, it becomes clear that the real need is to live Life in the Present and I may not be able to relate while writing, to the stories in the epics. My view is once each one starts observing normal life, it would be clear that the Mahabharatha happens every day between many of us and most importantly within us!
How does one eliminate fear?- Velusamy
This is the most difficult thing to do as it is deeply ingrained in our genes.
The first practical step is a good diet and body discipline. Fear does not and normally cannot arise in a body where circulation is proper and there are no blocks for energy flow. The second is whenever fear arises, reject it by not feeding it with further thoughts. This can be done only when we develop a strong desire to be free from fear. The normal problem is, we will keep complaining that we are afraid without consciously willing to get rid of that fear.
The third and last step is for the Mind to not identify with the fear. Instead it must see the fear as arising out of past thoughts and a reaction.
(Concluded)
(The writer is the Joint Managing Director of TVS & Sons Ltd., and MD, TVS Logistics)