Something in me hesitates when it comes to talking to (most of) my wonderful friends, relatives and acquaintances about peace, non-violence, compassion and ironically, even about friendliness. Such is the intensity of this hesitation that it turns into embarrassment when ever I choose to ignore the hesitation and actually express my thoughts on these subjects. Although the embarrassment may be triggered to some extent by the reactions (or non-reactions) of the people who I express my thoughts or ideas to, in greater part, the embarrassment is the direct result of my own deep seated concepts/notions on what is or is not considered "cool" by people around me.
After hearing the news of the gruesome rape and murder of a young girl in New Delhi recently, I spent the last several weeks worried about this hesitation and embarrassment in me. It is no wonder that violence is on the rise in society today - most of those who are or feel violent do not hesitate in expressing their violence or aggression. On the other hand, so many people who are deeply concerned about bringing peace within societies or within individuals in the society are just busy hesitating or feeling embarrassed! The opinion of the person to whom the concern for peace is expressed is secondary - I daresay, it is perhaps not relevant at all! What is relevant is that the people who feel strongly about non-violence (including myself), are so very often not brave enough to say it out loud!
In a public talk given by Sri Sri a few years ago (one I was lucky enough to attend), someone asked Sri Sri: "Why are there so many bad people in this world and such few really good people?" Sri Sri said - "There is no shortage of good people in this world. But there is a shortage of wise people. Make that distinction." He then went on to add "how many really 'bad' people do you personally know? People who are murderers, rapists, robbers or thieves? How many? Probably none, or at most 1 or 2. And how many 'good' people do you personally know - people who you call your friends or acquaintances? You know so many! The problem in society is not that there are too many bad people - the problem is that these very few really bad people actually go out and do something! (They shoot people, they bomb buildings, they make their presence and their feelings known! Loud and clear!) While the majority who are "good" just sit around and talk!" (Oh! how terrible that such and such person or group did such and such horrible thing! Many don't even talk, they just click their tongues and move to the next page of the newspaper!).
Sri Sri also gave examples of how, during his childhood, there was a shame associated with being violent. If a child said the word "gun", people around him would all get shocked and stare - "oh look at what words he used! How could he say that!" Where and when did that sense of shame associated with violence and aggression disappear? How did it change into an acceptance of gifting violent video games, toy guns, and even violent action figures to our own children and to those of our neighbors and friends? What can be done to bring back that shame associated with violence and aggression? How can the human values of love, compassion, friendliness, sharing, smiling and serving become the "cool" things to do? And most importantly, when will I stop hesitating or feeling embarrassed to invite people to come out in the open and engage in constructive thought, talk, and action to find solutions to the growing problem of violence?
HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a world renowned humanitarian and peace ambassador. To millions across the globe, he is an enlightened teacher. On 26th January, India's Republic Day, the Art of Living Foundation has organised a "Google + Hangout with Sri Sri" to find ways of creating a "Violence Free, Stress Free Society." It is the largest ever online international meeting of common people and celebrities, people from all walks of life, people from more than 150 different countries, different religious and cultural backgrounds, people who care about peace, non-violence and non-aggression, all coming together to ask questions, find answers, organise constructive action, and make the voice of peace and non-violence heard loud and clear!
Almost 20000 people have already signed up. I invite you, this time without hesitation or embarrassment, to come and contribute to this voice.
Recipe to join the Google+ Hangout:
Ingredients:
A will to create or contribute to creating a stress-free, violence-free world
OR
A will to help yourself or people around you better cope with stress
AND
A laptop, PC, or phone with an internet connection
Method
Register for the Hangout at this link (you can bring upto 9 guests along): http://goo.gl/ATWDz
Post your questions, comments and suggestions following the steps indicated on the above link or send them by email on or before Friday, 25th Jan to: presse@artofliving.de
Join the Hangout on 26th Jan, 2013 at 4pm, German time (or 8.30pm IST, 10.00am GST, 3.00pm GMT)
