Principles of Non-Violence, Part 6 (The Man in the Mirror #27)

Today, we are going to begin looking at the fifth principle of nonviolence which is as follows: 

Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
• Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as of the body.
• Nonviolent love gives willingly, knowing that the return might be hostility.
• Nonviolent love is active, not passive.
• Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater.
• Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves.
• Love restores community and resists injustice.
• Nonviolence recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated. 

It is easy to talk about love, but sometimes it is hard to demonstrate it -- especially when it comes to those whom we have differences with. Even Jesus acknowledged this; He said: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy." However, Jesus called those who would follow him to a different level of commitment when He immediately added, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." 

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