In a combative world, peace can be achieved through intentional nonviolence | Opinion

In June 2007, the United Nations passed a resolution declaring Oct. 2nd International Day of Nonviolence. It was the date of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday (1869–1948), who developed methods of strategic and intentional nonviolence.

Gandhi himself declared that the roots of nonviolence — often represented by the Golden Rule — are ageless and found in the world’s religious and wisdom traditions. Jainism and Hinduism, ancient religions originating in India, celebrate nonviolence (ahimsa) as the highest duty (dharma).

As a professor, I see that my students face the reality of violence every day. They have grown up in a time of recurring bomb threats, wars and shootings in schools and public places. Our young people find themselves unfocused, worried and afraid. Recent studies show that fear of violence, mental health issues and homelessness occupy their thoughts.

As a professor and scholar of Asian religious traditions and Gandhi’s philosophy, I explore various tools to support our students. I introduce students to the Buddhist idea of right intention. The Buddha saw the connection between right intention, meditation and mindfulness, practices that help find purpose in life and center the mind. The Buddha realized the reality of existential suffering and offered a path to confront both spiritual disconnect and personal and social anguish. Jain and Hindu traditions also offer various tools for the practice of yoga and meditation, as well as for the practice of forgiveness to cultivate resilience and calm.

We have the power to realize personal change and social transformation by putting our intentions into practice. Leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta honed their powers of intent to fight the forces of oppression nonviolently, against all odds. Huerta, whom I saw recently at an event, had the audience chant the slogan, “Sí se puede,” which means “Yes, you can.” With this public affirmation, Huerta seeks to encourage the intention of her fellow citizens to fight for equity and dignity.

In her book, “Living with Intent,” Mallika Chopra, a motivational speaker and author, focuses on the art and science of living with intent. She is also the daughter of Deepak Chopra, who popularized meditation in the United States by collaborating with Oprah Winfrey and others. Through various studies and personal life stories, Chopra brings attention to the power of intentional living to realize our life’s purpose through six elements: Incubate, notice, trust, express, nurture, and take action.

In 1893, when Gandhi was thrown off a train in South Africa because he was colored, he focused his intention on mobilizing his fellow Indians against racism without using the violent methods of the oppressors. In 1955, Rosa Parks affirmed her intention of resisting racist laws when she refused to give up her seat for a white person. Many examples throughout history show that the power of intention can be developed and realized. My discussions with students give me hope that a nonviolent society is possible if we pay attention to the wrongs of violence and live intentionally in opposition to them.

Chopra will be giving a talk at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Fresno State in collaboration with the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya. The event is part of the university’s President’s Lecture Series; more information can be found online at https://president.fresnostate.edu/presidents-lecture-series.html.

Dr. Veena R. Howard is professor of Asian Religious Traditions in the Department of Philosophy at California State University, Fresno. She also holds the endowed chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma. She was recently appointed as the director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya.