An ancient idea

1353: 

Non-violence is no new kid on the block.  It’s as old as the hills and the very bedrock of all wise philosophy.  But, until now there were stumbling blocks in our way, we weren't prepared for its implications, and only now are we seeing ways in which it might just work.

Up to now, non-violence has always had to step back to allows violence to pass by.  Violence has been given a long leash and allowed to vent itself.  We've simply had to watch it play itself out.  Perhaps we've had to take our lead from those animals who most come into contact with the violence of the human; they've endured it because they couldn't do anything about it.  Now, primarily for them, we have to deal with it.  So, in reality, if this is not the province of the animal mind it most certainly is of the human mind – the human creates the sort of destructive violence which is destroying the natural order of things.  And we humans have been at it for a long time.  If a new non-violent human is emerging, it would be well for that human not to get too carried away by the logic or imminence of the idea.  It's going to be a slow transformation. It's going to have to be a thorough one.  And it has to start by remembering that we exist in a world where violence still rules.