Living Non-Violence

Mar 08, 1998 by Rev. Christine

Today we are continuing with the theme of "A season for non violence." The season started Jan 30, the date of M.K. Gandhi's assassination through April 4, the date of Martin Luther King's assassination. The Association for global New Thought has declared this a season to stop the violence in our homes, our workplaces, our schools and everywhere we go. If we stop seeing those who are different from our selves as ‘different', we can begin to see them as our brother or sister, children of the One Light. We can begin doing this by changing our thinking, having a New Thought..."

I have handouts adapted from "Families Creating a Circle of Peace" by Families against Violence Advocacy Network (FAVAN). These handouts highlight suggestions for Encouraging Forgiveness, Developing Respect, Improving Communication, Better Listening, Respecting Nature, Creative Play, and Building Courage. The last page is a Family Pledge of Nonviolence.

Where else can we begin but in our own homes to break the cycle of violence. Violence doesn't begin on the battle fields, that is the outcome of the masses of people's consciousness based in fear, anger, hatred, greed, and poverty. Twisted thinking from years of upbringing being told lies. Lies of who and what you are, lies on how to treat each other, lies in separation making one better than the other. All lies, not intentional, but they have become beliefs sent down generation upon generation. But none the less they are lies - they have no basis in Truth.

We used to have the belief's such as, "Spare the rod and spoil the child" - how many believe that way anymore? It was only 30-40 years ago that Dr. Spock, the baby doctor, came out with his idea of not spanking. Revolutionary for the times - unfortunately tagged along with it was "your child knows best - let your child have the freedom to choose." Which was interpreted as no discipline. We ended up with a lot of children with no self-discipline or setting boundaries. Through the years now this has developed in to a whole new means of child rearing.

Today it is no more acceptable to beat our children -- you can even go to jail. My parents, their parents this was very acceptable and they had the right to treat their children anyway they saw fit for children were the property of the parents.

These kinds of changes aren't easy to implement especially with the role models on TV, and all the other children. No child wants to be different. Although, I gave in to a toy rifle I spent time communicating about peaceful ways, and taught him meditation. I'm mentioning about my son, because boys have what we call a natural tendency to play more violent kinds of games. It's something that has been instilled in them - possibly from other lives.

I watched a show not too long ago where there was a study done to prove whether males and females were inherently different. The study showed they were. Girls liked to play with dolls, house and girly kinds of games. While boys liked to rough house, fight, play with trucks and use plane blocks of wood as guns.

Although, our traditional role models for careers are shifting; men can be nurses and woman as engineers. There is still a basic inborn instinct for the male to protect the family, and the female to nurture.

Today we find more men staying home playing the house mom and the woman going to work being the provider for the family. Or, we find many where both are sharing the responsibilities of the family. Mankind is balancing the female and masculine energies within oneself.

There definitely is a shift taking place to transform this world from a warring planet to one of love and peace for everyone everywhere. Where people are free to be their true whole self.

In New Thought practices we use a method of prayer to hold our consciousness in Truth. We take our thoughts, our focus, completely away from the appearance, and think upon the absolute truth behind the appearance. This Truth is God which is always goodness, wholeness, love, peace, harmony, intelligence and eternal life and everywhere present. Equally present in everyone.

When you're faced with a challenge remember the following three rules:

1. God is All;

2. God is Good;

3. If you don't see it that way go back to rule number 1.

It's as simple as and as hard as that. Taking our mind from the appearance and declaring the truth. The appearance will die of malnutrition. You're not resisting it, you're just taking all thoughts, feelings, emotions, all energy away from the appearance. It no longer has anything to feed it, or to hold its form together. Then act accordingly being the new you.

No longer do we believe in "an eye for an eye", which is basis for The law of Karma. Also known as the Wheel of Karma, or Wheel of Life. When we give back what we got then we set ourselves us to receive back again, and the circle goes on and on. To break the negative pattern then we must give back something different -- such as love, forgiveness, kindness, non judgement. Turn the other cheek, as Jesus taught.

When we no longer come from fear, guilt, anger, hate, resentment, or revenge - then we can respect our self and others; we can communicate honestly, we can truly listen and hear with an open mind, we can easily forgive ourselves and others; we can respect nature and all living things; we can teach creative ways to play and choose wisely our entertainment; we can be courageous and stand for what we believe in making a difference in our community. Now we are upholding nonviolence. Like the song we sing each week at the end of the service "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." This truly is the only way to peace on earth.

Today's affirmation: "Today I choose words & actions based in love."

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