Thursday, September 15, 2011

Food for Thought

Maybe it was reading Samurai Girl Sahara's recent post or the book I'm reviewing about fighting, but violence has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I'm in somebody's dojo or gym six days a week and still I feel somewhat unprepared emotionally for a real, live violent confrontation. My belief is that I'll be able to flip that switch I have to, but can you ever truly prepare for that?

This morning, I found this quote on a new FaceBook page I "liked" yesterday:
“Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day: I shall not fear anyone on Earth. I shall fear only God. I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

I know Gandhi was not about fisticuffs at all so violence is not even mentioned, but I think it fits somehow. It certainly set my train of thought in a new direction, that's for sure.
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5 comments:

  1. Rick MatzSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Fighting and violence isn't much of my thinking anymore. I haven't been in a fight; I haven't even witnesses a fight in over 30 years. I must be doing something right.

    On the other hand, every single day I find applications for the cultivation of a calm, clear mind; such as the other day ...

    http://cookdingskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-i-train-in-martial-arts.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. FeliciaSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I don't think about BECOMING violent, Rick - just think about escaping it. Usually, it's with a clear, calm mind, like you on the freeway :-)

    We never really know when, where or how, but crap happens. Thanks for stopping by :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Josh KruschkeSeptember 18, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Gandhi believed in personal selfdefense. He just didn't believe that violent revolution was the answer with the British.

    There is this missconception that Gandhi was a pacifist.

    :-)
    Josh

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  4. sports fanSeptember 20, 2011 at 6:13 PM

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    ReplyDelete
  5. FliffSeptember 21, 2011 at 12:40 AM

    Most excellent quote Felicia, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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