On November 7, 2008 Dr. Deepak Chopra, in front of an audience of 500 people took a vow of non-violence in his thoughts, words and actions. He then asked his audience if they were inspired and FELT in their hearts that they could — to join him in taking that vow. 450 people stood up and took the vow with him. As I begin writing this 5,094 people have taken this vow and are spreading the word to others. Imagine what the world would be like if this continues and people can find it in their heart to recognize that THIS is power and love. A vow extremely well worth taking. What does non violence mean in thoughts, words and actions and is it possible for you to take this vow and put a halt to them forever in yourself?
Dr. Deepak Chopra has been a significant teacher and Hero for me. It is through his teachings that I fully began to comprehend JUST how powerful the mind is and how self healing we all are. He is on my Heroes of Healing list – Dawn Abraham wrote about him and she had the pleasure of working with Dr. Chopra in person. Dr. Chopra is a leader in the mind/body connection and in a global peace movement. His video below shows his passion , integrity and joy as he takes this vow and asks others to do the same.
NON VIOLENCE IN THOUGHTS
I thought seriously about this vow before I took it. I have never been a “violent thinking” person so maybe this was easier for me than others but I took it a step further. I took this to mean no hateful thoughts as well, no disparaging thoughts, no thoughts that will bring me and the people around me down by just thinking them. Does this mean I am going to walk around grinning all the time? No, I will honor those thoughts that make me feel “angry” or “upset” and figure out what can be gained from those moments. I will “Appreciate EVERY Moment — NOT JUST the GOOD Ones” remaining conscious if strong negative thoughts/emotions come up about anyone or any situation.
Honestly, since I took the vow I already had a situation come up that brought less than happy thoughts up about a couple of people. I stopped myself and made myself think about it differently. As I mentioned, I am not one to think “violent” thoughts at all. I know there are people that have hostile fantasies and luckily I have never been one of those people. But back to the story… so I was thinking these “negative” thoughts about these people and stopped myself to ask “WHAT can be learned from this situation?” HOW can you walk away from this wiser and preserve your wellness at the same time? When you really look at the situation instead of letting your “monkey mind” go crazy and swing from thought to thought YOU are in control. My favorite Chopra quote is fitting here since I am writing about him so here I go again (sorry regular readers) 
:
“You must realize that everyone is doing the best they can from their own state of consciousness” – Dr. Deepak Chopra
If you stop and repeat that quote to yourself and think about it — you can calm yourself and become in the moment and “conscious”. It is very rare that a person goes out of their way to hurt someone. Sometimes it happens by accident or circumstance and sometimes that person is acting from their learned response or is on auto-pilot and isn’t even remotely conscious of what they are doing. This quote has stopped and woken me up more times than I can count and I feel it is very appropriate for taking this vow.
NON VIOLENCE IN SPEECH
I have never said “I want to hurt that person” or wished violence on another”. For myself I felt the vow for non violence in speech needed to be taken a step further. No negative remarks about people. No coloring how others might look at how I perceived someone or something. Most of us have played that game telephone as a child. (For those who haven’t there are 10 or so people in a circle…. the first person thinks of something to say and whispers into someone’s ear and the message goes round the circle person by person. By time it has reached the end it is RARELY the same message that began.) When you say something bad about someone the story usually gets blown out of proportion not quelled.
If you speak about how you hate someone you are telling people YOUR side and not allowing for the person to make up their own mind. If you are talking about wishing violence towards someone you are putting those thoughts into someone’ else’s head. There is no need to speak violent thoughts! Does it make you feel better?! I would guess overall it makes you feel a lot worse. Maybe a temporary release of some sort but I guarantee if you spent that time doing a little “Ho’oponopono” towards the person instead — you would feel a WHOLE LOT better.
NON VIOLENCE IN ACTIONS
Not having siblings — it was easy to avoid fist fights . Only once did I ever really strike someone with the intent to hurt them and that was in the Bahamas as a teenager when a drunken man physically grabbed me places I did not want to be touched. Even after that I had thoughts that I “could have handled it better”. We were around lots of people and it would have been easy to get the attention of a bouncer or someone else nearby.
Having two children I have frequently said “hands to self!”, “use your words”, “would you like it if they hit you?”…. and it always makes my kids stop and think… even when NOT screamed at the top of my lungs! Before my husband and I had children we agreed we would not hit them. Why? Because hitting them shows them that hitting is ok. I never really “got” the whole hitting children thing. Children are born into the world innocent and as grown ups WE are leading by example. How could I tell my kids not to hit other kids if I hit them? By putting in some kind of clause that for parents (who are supposed to love, care and protect their children more than anyone else) it is somehow okay? Never made any sense to me. THAT will teach them? I don’t think so. I feel it will make children resentful and confused. Come at a child with love and try to understand WHY they did what they did that made you angry and maybe THEN you will be getting somewhere. If you are so angry at a child that you feel you might physically hurt them… best to remove yourself from the situation and give YOURSELF a time out.
Everyone is entitled to feel safe. Hurting others does nothing to help ANYONE. I feel even as angry as you can be at someone there are OTHER ways to go about dealing with that anger rather than lashing out. Are you angry at a “group of people”? Maybe it is time to sit down and think about what old ways of thinking contributed to that anger and if there are better ways to deal with it than violent actions, thoughts or speech. Only YOU can change the way you look at life, situations and people.
Beginning a healing practice has brought up interesting questions for myself. What if someone came to me who did some “really ugly things” or who I “got a bad vibe from” and they wanted to heal — what would I do? When the answer came I immediately felt at peace… of course I would do a session on them because if they did something “horrible” or I felt “bad energy” obviously they are in NEED of healing. When you start to live out of love instead of fear, worry or anger the whole world changes. Before I begin a session (with a client whether in person or distance) I feel love and a connection to that person. EVERYONE can benefit from some love and kindness sent their way.
So what’s next? Are you convinced? Does this FEEL like something you can do? I will tell you that by taking this vow you are telling yourself you will be more conscious and THAT alone can work wonders! Dr. Chopra along with The Alliance for a New Humanity even set up a whole site devoted to this:
I Take the Vow
Please think about this and think about who else you can tell. The more it continues the more peace will be spread. Just in time to start 2009 off right! I would love to hear what you think of the Vow of Non Violence — please leave comments!
Hi Jenny,
Wow, that’s a powerful concept. I agree with the concept in principle, but….
I do have some questions. For example, I am a musician and I make heavy metal music that is violent. I’m not egging listeners to go hurt someone, but the “gesture” of the music is quite aggressive.
Or, how about boxing, wrestling, any martial arts, or even football? Are they violent? What if we watch a war movie?
I guess the definition of violence is where I need clarification — if it’s an act or intention that specifically aims to bring harm to another being, then I am comfortable with the vow. If it includes broader aggressiveness, then I have some reservations….
Pretty nit-picky detail, I know.
ari
Ari Koinumas last blog post..Do You Expect the Unexpected?
Hi Ari,
I took it to mean intention of violence toward another person. My husband has a 2nd degree in TaeKwon-Do and if anything it is an example of less violence as it teaches discipline.
Heavy metal music may be louder and a bit more “aggressive” sounding than other music but as you said you are not telling people to go out and do violent things… it is you expressing yourself through music.
As for movies, I have little tolerance now for movies with gore in them and I used to LOVE horror movies. My taste in them started to change when I had kids and now with all the healing work I do it seems I have no tolerance at all for them. Does watching a war movie make you want to go out and start a war? I don’t think so….
For sports in general the idea is not to HARM the other person but to either get the ball or to use your talents to “win”. Doesn’t mean you are wishing the other person serious bodily harm.
You are taking a vow that YOUR WORDS, ACTIONS and THOUGHTS will be non violent. Hope I answered it!
Thanks for commenting and for your questions.
Love, Jenny
Hey Jenny,
I took the vow for non-violence. To me, it was not a question of whether or not I would participate, being a non-violent person myself. Thank you for bringing this to your readers attention, I hope they will find it useful in their lives and raise the consciousness of Earth in the process.
xo A
Hey Ange,
So happy to have you comment and YOU are one of the most peaceful people I know so I am not surprised you took the vow! When I see something like this I am SO grateful to have a vehicle like this blog to spread the message to others!
Ready for skiing tomorrow?! Whoo hoo!
Love ya lots, xo Jenny
Hi Jenny – This is a wonderful post. I try to avoid violence – but even when you’re trying to prevent others being violent, you can run into trouble.
We went in our local pub a few weeks ago. I tried to split it up and I got pushed over onto the floor, banging my head on the table.
It was a huge shock – I guess having PTSD doesn’t help but I went mad with the guy that did it and gave him a real blasting.
My words were definitely violent – I thought about it afterwards and wished I’d had better control over what I’d said. Anyway, there will definitely be no more splitting up fights for me. It’s not like I was even doing a very good job – so it would have been better if I’d kept out of it.
I think violence should always be a last resort. I can understand folk having to use it in self-defence though – especially you, with the groping guy in the Bahamas.
I like Deepak Chopra’s quote: “You must realize that everyone is doing the best they can from their own state of consciousness”
And I guess it’s something you always have to think about before you judge a person who is behaving violently.
Hi Cath,
That’s definitely a difficult situation you were in. You throw alcohol into the mix and those guys were probably not in their “right state of mind” (nice way to put it)
. I had a lot of guy friends in my early 20′s and there were a couple that would sometimes have too much to drink and be upset about something and would get “that look in their eyes” that told me “get them OUT of this bar or they WILL get in a fight”. I am happy you are ok and the fact that you DID think about your words afterwards shows your nature. Someone truly in the habit of speaking, thinking and acting violently probably wouldn’t have given the words you said AFTER having an injury any thought – you did.
My husband has shared some stories with me of his “Master” in TaeKwon Do de-fusing some pretty tense situations about to erupt without violence even though he is a 9th degree blackbelt and could obviously do some serious damage. I feel there are USUALLY ways to calm the situation. But when you do throw drugs or alcohol in the mix it definitely takes it to another level of “unpredictability” which can be very scary.
I repeat that Chopra quote ALL the time to myself (and anyone who will listen)
. From the obviously annoyed customer service rep to my kids when they do something I can’t seem to comprehend — it is useful. I have found when I come at the situation with love EVERYTHING changes. It is the moment of taking a breath and realizing WHAT is going on in your own head and WHAT you can possibly do to change the way you are seeing things that is key. As I mentioned, I believe taking this vow sets your subconscious up to take that moment.
No one is perfect but saying you WANT to be more aware of those moments is a wonderful step I hope many will consider taking.
Thanks Cath for sharing your story and comments!
Love,
Jenny
This is so inspirational!
Indeed I am in! I have started to get serious about this too as I delved into my spiritual journey to the point that now I take seriously not only what I say, etc. but also what music I choose to listen to or movies to watch. There is no point in strengthening in my opinion, more negativity in this world. We all have the power to make a positive change and to be an inspiration and influence in raising our own personal state of love and light and thus serve as a great example to lift others to rise to their highest potential as well.
Evitas last blog post..The Voices of Angels Around Us
Hi Evita,
It is amazing how when you start to live this way it does take over MANY different aspects of your life. I have felt it greatly in my choice of movies and books.
You already are a wonderful example, inspiring many and I am not surprised (but of course am very happy) you will take the vow. Since I wrote this 200 more people have taken it. Let’s keep spreading it’s message!
Always wonderful to have you comment Evita. Thank you!
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..I took the Vow of Non Violence, will you?
Hi Jenny,
This is just such a wonderful post! Non-violence in our words, thoughts, and actions – powerful. And, as much as I like to think I’m non-violent — I can think of moments for each of these areas. In fact, probably the most difficult area for me is with thoughts. I can sometimes stop myself from letting violence become outward (words/actions) – yet the internal – thoughts – this one is much more difficult. It’s the battles that go on in my mind and heart that are the most difficult (I’m not saying that I do this all the time – just that I find it more frequent here than the other areas).
I am committing to this, as well. And will make my focus really be on my thoughts – and what I can do really focus this area on the “good”.
It feels strangely, both comforting, and showing a sign of weakness – in this admission of an area of struggle. It feels like a sign of weakness in that I am admitting an area of my life that can sometimes be a struggle. That I have let myself down. And yet, it is also very comforting. In this admission, I feel comforted in knowing that I CAN change, that I CAN consciously choose my thoughts. That I CAN think positive, non-violent thoughts. In fact, I don’t know if it’s so much violence in my thoughts as it is in negative thoughts. Still, very much something I can work on…
Jenny, thank you so much for sharing part of your journey, and what this means to you. Reading your words, I am powerfully reminded of really one big reason I come here – it’s the honesty I feel in your words. Words spoken from, and built within the heart…
Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Hi,
Nice post. It’s really very hard to maintain non-violence in thoughts, words…
I’ve to try.
Thanks for sharing…
Psychic
Bendzs last blog post..Benefits of Yoga through Meditation – 6 Benefits of Yoga through Meditation
Hi Lance,
Thank you so much for your kind words… yes my writing has always come from the heart — that is the only place I know how to retrieve the words from….when I get too much in my “head” they feel forced and “writer’s block” sets in.
We all have our own “weaknesses” but that is part of the joy of life — we get to keep on growing, learning and evolving. I feel “non violent thoughts” is probably the area where most struggle and it is only in noticing that and making the intention to change that we can begin to. I am similar to you — I don’t really have “violent” thoughts but am still battling the negative thoughts that creep in. When I turned my awareness to them I realize they do occur in my “unconscious moments”. By calling back my attention to the “now” I can usually stop them in their tracks before they grow into BIGGER negative thoughts which will happen if NOT attended to.
I am very happy to hear you are committing to this Lance. I enjoy reading about your journey as well and thank you for sharing it with me and your other readers. I wish you all the best for the holidays and 2009! Thanks so much for your comments.
Love, Jenny
Jenny Mannions last blog post..I took the Vow of Non Violence, will you?
Hi Bendz,
I know it is an effort in the beginning to remain “conscious” enough to stop violent thoughts, words and actions but I don’t think it is necessarily “hard”. Remember to try and hear the messages you send yourself — by saying it is hard it will be more difficult… The ego LOVES to latch onto self limiting thoughts and repeat them but if you start planting NEW seeds there is a better chance of change. Thanks for commenting.
Gratefully, Jenny
Thank you for your work, Jenny!
This article is featured in the latest CelebraZine
(Celebrate What’s Right in the World) http://kathmandau.blogspot.com/2009/02/celebrazine-13feb09.html
Blessings and continued inspiration,
CG
CG Walterss last blog post..CelebraZine 13Feb09
Thank you so much CG!
I love your Celabrazine and am so happy to be featured in it. Thank you for your work and support!
Love, Jenny
Let us be a great example and inspiration to lift others to rise to their highest potential. I took the vow for non-violence. Wonderful post.
I take the vow for Peace and Unity. Non-violence in our words, thoughts, and actions is so powerful. The world will become a much better place!
Very nice idea and concept its now time to stop violence. Let us start now within us not only physical violence but violence in speack , in thoughts and etc. Very nice post.