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Non-Violence
The practice of non-violence begins in the family, the basic unit of society. Restoring the tradition of the big family helps overcome the loneliness of the nuclear family and provides a sense of being rooted. Touching our roots through an ancestral altar or a family shrine allows us to stay in touch with our ancestors and prevents alienation. This practice includes sharing meals, telling stories to the younger generation, and fostering friendships between grandparents and grandchildren, ensuring that cultural heritage is handed down.
Violence in society is a collective responsibility involving parents, schools, and governments. When looking deeply into acts of violence, we see the emptiness of transmission: all of us are the beaters and all of us are the beaten. To transform the fear, anger, and hatred that inhabit us, we must learn the art of mindful breathing and walking. Every home, school, hospital, and parliament should establish a breathing room—a territory of peace where anyone can take refuge to restore their stability and calm. When one member of the family uses the breathing room, others respect that need for quiet, turning off the television and returning to themselves.
The practice of peaceful living requires an intelligent policy of consumption to protect ourselves and our children from toxic cultural products that nurture the three poisons:
- Confusion
- Greed
- Anger
Through the Fifth Mindfulness Training, we learn to consume only what is healthy and healing. This involves selecting media with mindfulness, practicing Total Relaxation as a family to overcome universal stress, and urging legislators to create laws that prohibit destructive products. Just as mindfulness led to non-smoking flights and warnings on alcohol, it must now be applied to all forms of consumption to protect our collective consciousness.
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