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Ahimsa

I think practically this amounts to learning to do without the fight/flight/shame (I heard shame also called “fawning” the other day) response.

There are huge advantages to this response. It exists for a reason. But until we learn to do without it, we have to fear it on some level, and that fear prevents the cessation of fear, which in my view is the first and perhaps only main spiritual goal,

Me, I fear my rages. I also fear helplessness. And emotionally learning to do without this tesponse FEELS like empowering helplessness, if I may offer such a phrase.

But actual violence, to protect yourself or others, is perfectly acceptable. This is a violent world, and if we are here for a reason—as I believe we are—we are responsible for protecting our embodiment and those of others.

And it is also worth noting that while hyperarousal DOES make us stronger, more pain resistant, and more aggresive in both fight and flight, it also makes us stupider.

This renouncing anger and violence ptactically is renouncing those FEELINGS, which include fear and shame as hidden concomitants.

And think how often shame follows both rage and cowardice (running).

I think this is getting close to the truth.

Krishna told Arjuna to fight and kill, but to do so without hate, and in effect without violence. All that is born dies, but nothing and no one ever dies. No final violence is possible; nor is any lasting harm.