Every where around us we see people using violence as a means to create havoc, strike fear, and force people into submitting to their will. Can any constructive goal be achieved through violent means? Does not violence beget violence? Isn\’t the aftermath of political and civil wars a testament to the destruction and evil that hurts both victors and losers?

Peace has always been a more powerful means of resolving conflict than violence. What better example than the freedom struggle of India under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi? From 1857 to 1919, stalwarts within the nation used violence to try and free the country from the reigning Brits, but failed. In 1919, Mahatma Gandhi entered the picture and proposed non-violence as the weapon for the fight for freedom. Instead of using swords, guns, and bombs, the Brits would be attacked with bombs of peace.

The Brits were nonplussed. They couldn\’t fight something that could not be squashed with violence and fear. They could not retaliate with violence as there were no grounds for using force. Every resistance was persistent, but peaceful. One British collector sent a message to the Secretariat, asking for instructions on how to kill a tiger peacefully. We all know what followed. The Brits were forced to leave. And India was finally a free country in 1947.

Peaceful methods are powerful instruments in the hands of individuals and nations. It is more difficult (as making the right choice often is) but the success is sure. And your sacrifices are much lesser than what you stand to lose with violence.

What makes peaceful resistance so effective? Any activity conducted in peace leaves no recourse other than surrender as it smites the conscience of the perpetrator. A violent action, on the other hand, is a slight to their ego. History proves that ego has been the root cause of so many wars. Violence is like a never-ending cycle; the situation only gets worse with time and more traumatic for all concerned. No problem in the world can be solved with this line of action.

Look at nature. It is perfect in all facets – enduring and peaceful. Wherever nature is allowed to take its course, the result is always constructive. It does not create problems for anyone. It is unchangeable in its quality and is a harbinger of equanimity. That\’s what all peaceful methods do – they create love and compassion as opposed to hatred and bigotry. Wherever peace resides, there is development – social, economic, and cultural. People are more positive, thoughts and actions more productive. There is progress at individual and common levels.

Why do we feel more peaceful in the midst of nature? Because every natural entity heralds peace – rivers, trees, mountains, skies, winds, stars, the whole universe. Peace is the law of the universe; it is the way of nature. If we learn from nature, we too can prosper and grow in a positive and peaceful world. Thomas Mann rightly said, \”War is a cowardly escape from the problems of peace.\”

D. Singh writes for GK Media. His latest books are on messiah of peace Guru Tegh Bahadur and the battle of Saragarhi.

D. Singh writes for GK Media. His latest books are on messiah of peace, the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur and battle of Saragarhi.
http://www.sikhcomics.com/guru-tegh-bahadur-the-ninth-guru-of-the-sikhs/
http://www.sikhcomics.com/battle-of-saragarhi-sikh-regiment/

Author Bio: D. Singh writes for GK Media. His latest books are on messiah of peace Guru Tegh Bahadur and the battle of Saragarhi.

Category: Society
Keywords: power of peace, peace, world peace