There isn't. If you stated, well self-defense of course. Yes, self-defense is fighting violence with violence. Guess what, if violence wasn't done in the first place then self-defense wouldn't need to exist. See... when is violence ever necessary?
As a yoga practitioner the first tenant of yoga is ahimsa- nonviolence. I don't like to use words with a negative. So rather than saying nonviolence, say just ahimsa- peace. Peace as defined by wikipedia is: Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict and the freedom from fear of violence. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the establishment of equality, and a working political order that serves the true interests of all. In international relations, peacetime is not only the absence of war or violent conflict, but also the presence of positive and respectful cultural and economic relationships. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace
Have we, as a planet, ever had peace. Real true peace? Could it exist? I truly hope it can. And I hope sooner rather than later. I'm so frustrated by all this violence, all this hatred. What perpetuates this violence? Media, guns, religion, hatred, ignorance, mental illness, dis-ease, disease, greed, self-hatred, poverty, fear? The list could go on and on.
I know all the cultural, systemic ramifications of all of that. I also get that violence exists because of all of that, but WHY. And why can't those of us who want peace do something about it? Why can't we practice peace, understanding, open-mindedness, acceptance, justice, equality and change the world? Why? I read articles about meditating. Sure meditation helps one become peace, find bliss, etc, but how is that helping the world on a whole (okay I know how one person who is meditating is helping the world, the whole one small stone = ripple thing but clearly it's not working now)? Should we all meditate once a week at the same time so we can send the positive energy vibes out into the world? Maybe. Maybe that's one step. Did I lose some of you? Maybe, thinking I'm going kooky and all new-agey. Should we volunteer? Have peaceful protests? And if we had peaceful protests would people accept that and would we be allowed to just have marches for peace without an agenda? There's always an agenda. That's annoying. Why can't people gather in an area to promote peace? Just that. Simple, no marching and saying stop wars, etc. Just peace people. Spread the love. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Asian, Indian, whatever culture, viewpoint, doesn't everyone want peace? Am I wrong to think that?
I feel like this blog is more questions than an answer. But help me understand. Personally I feel that there is more good in the world than not. Let's try to figure out a way to harness that and make the world an actual good place. Maybe this means random acts of kindness. Maybe it means helping decrease poverty. Even if by a little. Leave politics out of things. If you don't agree with something figure out how to counteract that positively.
Choose an option (or more than one):
1) meet with someone who doesn't share your viewpoint and discuss. Really have a discussion and have an open mind- both of you. Or research the other viewpoint and notice the feelings that arise. Ask yourself why they arise. Don't internalize the feelings, just accept them and then go to #3.
2) Don't judge: pray that you find peace within yourself and then pray for others to find peace.
3) Notice, really notice if it affects you, in your daily life, enough to seriously upset and bother you. If it does go to #1 and then seek professional help- nobody should be chronically tense like that.
4) See everyone as who they are. Beautiful beings in their own way.
5) Volunteer: somewhere that doesn't have any political ties, that you wouldn't normally volunteer at. Soup kitchen, runaway youth shelter, child care, crisis center/line, domestic violence shelter, NAMI (or 5a- go to a NAMI training), group home, hospice, hospital, you get the idea. Do something good. For no reason.
6) Random acts of kindness. Planned or unplanned. Write them down if you want and share them. Again, no political ties, just because.
7) Know that some people won't change their minds and accept that. If they are a big part of your life you may want to go to #1. If not, try not to bring up the issue when you see each other. If you realize you can live without this person cease the relationship.
8) Smile
Add your own....
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