Non-Violence
3
Questioner: I may feel strongly about practicing ahimsa,
but what can I do when someone does not believe in it at all?
Dadashri: If you feel strongly about practicing ahimsa, you
should practice it and explain it to others gently, whether they
believe in it or not. If you approach it this way they will start to
believe in it. If you make an effort, then one day you will succeed.
Questioner: What should we do if the person is not
receptive even after you explain it to him calmly and affectionately?
Should we let the violence continue, or should we forcefully try to
stop it?
Dadashri: You should pray to whichever god you believe
in and say: “Dear Lord, make everyone non-violent.” Pray this
way; this should be your an inner intent.
The Problem of Bedbugs
Questioner: How do we deal with the growing numbers
of bedbugs at home?
Dadashri: We had the same problem in our home, many
years ago. I could not stand it when a bedbug bit me on the neck,
so I would pick it up and put it on my leg, and let it bite me there.
How could we send away the poor hungry insect without first
letting it dine at this ‘restaurant’ of ours? It would not be right to
let it starve. You may not have the same strength for non-violence,
so I ask you to just catch it and put it outside. At least you will get
some peace of mind knowing that it is not in your bed.
Nature’s law is such that even if you were to throw out a
hundred thousand bedbugs, if tonight only seven of them were
supposed to bite you, then the seven will not leave you without
finishing their task. Even if you killed them, seven bedbugs would
still bite you, whether you threw them far away from your home
or you did nothing. They would still bite you despite what you
do.