The Philosophy of Non-Violence

About Turning the Other Cheek

By: OSHO

Narrated by: OSHO

While nonviolence is a philosophy to Mahatma Gandhi; it is not a philosophy to Osho, but an experience. Osho talks about his understanding of reverence for life, he does not use the word non-violence.

©1984 OSHO International Foundation (P)2009 OSHO International Foundation

Osho pulled no punches talking about nonviolence in this Osho talk.

Because Osho grew up in India he was very familiar with the concept of nonviolence. He specifically stated that there are polarities and a person can lean towards being a masochist (lover of self harm) or a sadist (lover of hurting others). The irony is that the greatest nonviolent people on earth can be incredibly violent towards themselves through self torture via fasting and other religious practices like body suspension where one hangs from hooks pierced through the skin for divine favor. Both of these examples are common practices in India. Whether one tortures themselves or tortures others its still violence and this was Osho's main point. He went on to make an example about some hunters he met and they killed animals regularly and they were some of the kindest people he ever met in his life. He also mentioned some Jains he met that wouldn't even kill a bed bug but their attitude was unloving because they considered themselves holy men thus making them violent against others in a psychological way. He then spoke about Jesus concept of turn the other cheek and said that turning the other cheek can actually encourage violence. What if the person slapping your cheek is a sadist? He said that one would be better off being a sportsman: if they slap you then slap them back thus teaching a lesson. He mentioned that India was enslaved because of these concepts of nonviolence. I guess it's all a matter of intensity, if someone insults you on the job perhaps you can let it go? If someone steals from you perhaps you can walk away and consider it being like a tree branch that broke when you were walking under it? Acknowledge that the tree drops branches and avoid it however if you find that it becomes too intense perhaps some action is necessary to avoid being more victimized? Use discretion but the goal is to create a world that is actually nonviolent and not a world of victims.

Osho always brings a unique perspective

Osho always brings a unique perspective to any issue he covers. It helped me clarify my thinking