Daily Readings from the Works of Swami Venkatesananda


Venkatesa Daily Readings Vol 1 - Is There Another Possibility?

January 22, 2024

Is There Another Possibility?

      When you read these verses you are really touched. “Isn't that marvelous? Isn't that idealistic!” But Krishna did not regard it as true altruism. Compassion based on ignorance is cowardice. Mere avoidance of violence is yet another form of violence. We have agreed to consider only the aggression of another as violence. If I hit another, I am violent, but if I am fuming with rage and I suppress it, I'm supposed to be nonviolent.  If I hit another, he is injured, but if I suppress the anger, I am injured.

     We know only of these two. We are committed to "either - or". Either I must give vent to my violence, or I must suppress it. Is there not a third possibility? That's third possibility involves understanding myself and understanding others - coming to grips with life as it is, seeing the truth as it is. When the truth is seen, that truth itself acts. 

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