The invitation to respond

The typical association with non-violence is abstaining from physical violence.

That's a layer of it.

But it goes deeper than that.

What is violence?

First, what is not violence? This question helps point us in the right direction.

Is a volcano eruption violent? Even if it kills people?

Is the enlightened warrior's deathblow in the name of the Highest Truth violent?

Not really or at all.

If it's not purely about external action then, maybe violence is about something internal.

When I judge somebody (including myself) as wrong, evil, no good and the like and then exclude (in its numerous variations) him or attack (in its numeration variations) him...

Now we're getting close to what an understanding of violence is.

It's rooted in judgment.

Not a neutral judgment such as, "that movie wasn't so good" but one that carries a negative charge.

A negative charge when something personal gets upset.

"She shouldn't have done that." "That was wrong." "I can't believe it." "What an outrage."

We are babies, most of us, when it comes to harmoniously handling this core human experience because we've never really been taught how.

We typically choose to react blindly, with blame, anger, and warfare—instead of intelligently and compassionately responding.

React vs. respond. Notice the difference between the two terms.

The practice of non-violence—responding—means I intervene before I react to the judgment, as I know that reacting to the judgment is violent and will take me down a path with no solution that usually leads to war and somebody getting hurt (in the broadest sense).

How important it is then to learn how to handle negative judgment.

First, you realize the judgment itself is violent because it has a negative charge.

Second, you don't react. You don't exclude and you certainly don't fire back. You restrain yourself in a sense.

You heel the puppy.

You may still carry the judgment but at least you haven't fueled it further.

Then you start to inquire, literally question within.

Why I am reacting? What about this situation is bothering me personally? You might even question the validity of the judgment itself, as Byron Katie recommends.

Most importantly, am I clear of the judgment?

In other words, if I've just judged somebody as a clueless, pompous ass and am about to give him the cold shoulder or a bad vibe (or worse), I'd better be sure there's no trace of it in me.

If I was not a clueless, pompous ass would I judge somebody as one?

Probably not.

Now we're getting to Truth.

Now we're coming back to our Self.

Now we see our enemy as a friend of sorts. Holding up a mirror so we can address something untrue or unresolved in ourselves.

It hurts and is a bit like eating seaweed.

However, like seaweed, it's good for you.

This is the invitation to respond and the ultimate practice of non-violence.

How seductive it is though to react to our judgments. How right we feel. How justified.

It's an invitation to respond.