407--Q&A WITH SWAMIJI-- Chandi and Non-violence

[Guest guest]

This question has been nagging at me ever since I started reading the

Chandi so I hope I am able to articulate what I'm curious about. As

a yogini and devotee of God I'm committed to living a life of

non-violence. I make every effort to keep my thoughts, words, and

actions in alignment with this commitment and, other than a certain

amount of self-judgment, I feel that I mostly am walking my talk

although it certainly is an ongoing practice. Then comes my

dilemma... I love reading the Chandi, I love reading how beautiful

and great the Goddess is, and I love the songs and prayers. But I

have to say that I really struggle with the battle scenes. I

understand that She must fight to defeat all those terrible thoughts,

and I'm very grateful that She does, but I find it difficult to read

these parts of the Chandi. Swamiji, do you have any suggestions

regarding how I can better reconcile this challenge? How can I

approach these passages

in such a way that I am not feeling at odds within my heart and

perhaps even further my practice of non-violence?Swamiji's

response:When the body is infected with disease, don't we attack the

germs with antibiotics? That does not make us violent individuals.

When our minds are infected with spiritual obstacles, we must use

whatever means to become free, even if it means destroying the

obstructions. That in no way defines us as violent individuals. In

fact, it is quite the opposite: because we are fighting the battle

within ourselves, we are peaceful with regard to the rest of

creation.

 

Nanda's footnote:

This question was ear-marked for an audio interview with Swamiji, but

since that didnt happen, I will post the Q&A in the usual format on

the group.