Five forms of violence

Violence has pervaded all levels of society today. From wars, clashes, terrorist attacks to individual crimes we are witnessing the increasingly shocking acts of violence these days. All forms of violence we witness in this world are the manifestation of the violence within ourselves. There has been much introspection and study on the factors that lead to violent behaviour—social, political, economic, psychological, etc. Poverty, lack of employment, lack of education, alcoholism, drugs, sexual perversion, money, power are many of the factors that are cited as reasons and motives for violence. But violence is much deep-rooted. It stems from a far greater ignorance than humanity is aware of.

The genesis of violence is very subtle and deeply seated in human consciousness. Violence originates from vices. When human souls forget their true identity and begin to identify with their body, their roles and material assets, they come under the influence of vices. To think and act under the influence of vices is to commit violence because the soul is violating its true nature of peace, joy, love and power. The five forms of violence committed by human beings are to indulge in five vices—lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego. All vices are connected to the feeling of wanting or desiring. All desires keep us in the illusion of fulfilment that is gained only for a fleeting moment.

Lust

Lust has been considered as the greatest enemy of the human soul. Lust destroys all purity and power in the soul. It is a great deception. Lust is not just to indulge in physical pleasures. People often spend their lives lusting for money and power. Lust is an obsessive or addictive desire to seek support, fulfilment, happiness and self-worth by indulging in pleasures that finish all inner powers and dignity of the soul. It creates endless cycles of desires and indulgence. It makes a person extremely selfish and finishes all clarity, sensitivity, love and truth in the soul.

Anger

Anger is a fire that burns the self and others. When desires or expectations are not met; when situations or people don’t our way we become angry and react. Anger blunts our discernment and decision-making powers. We are not able to think and act rationally when we are angry. We are totally overpowered by negative emotions and we use emotionally charged words or actions to force others to meet our expectations. Anger always makes a soul subservient to other people’s behaviour and situations. Anger can lead to destructive behaviour that can cause great damage on large scale such as war, terrorism, murders etc.