The Path of Non-Violence

Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba said, “He who has no atom of violence within himself cannot be attained by any form of violence” – a powerful statement to behold in modern times where violence is deeply rooted at all levels of society.

It could be argued that all of the problems we see in the world today have arisen through and continue to exist through some form of violence; whether that is violence against the earth, violence in the economy or violence towards each other and ourselves.

What we have seen throughout history, time and time again, is that when violence is used to try and solve a problem, it comes from a reactionary place which in turn actually creates further problems in the long run. When true and lasting change has been achieved in the world, it has come through non-violence and action.

Sheikh Aly N’Daw speaks about the importance of non-violence in the pursuit of change, and as well as drawing on the lives of the Peacemakers, also demonstrates non-violence in action through his own social and economic endeavours in Senegal, West Africa, and around the world.

But what exactly does Sheikh Aly refer to when he speaks of non-violence?

The best example to take is that of Gandhi’s, who understood non-violence from its Sanskrit root, ‘Ahimsa’ which implies total non-violence – no physical violence and no passive violence. In fact, Gandhi himself took ‘Ahimsa’ to mean Love, and he emphasised that it was the greatest force at the disposal of humankind.

This all, in turn, relates to Sheikh Aly N’Daw’s teachings on the Initiatory Way to Peace and Liberation Therapy which guides the human being along the path of inner transformation and liberation, therefore helping to eliminate all violence within, in order to bring about change in the outer world through Love.

Sheikh Aly promotes the idea of peace not as a utopian concept, but as the responsibility of every individual.  He emphasises that peace is a viable choice available to each and every one of us and highlights the power of non-violence in action, as shown by the lives of the eminent Peacemakers who have trodden the path of non-violence throughout history.

Non-violence is a journey for everyone, and can be undertaken by any peace-seeking individual committed to his ideal of peace.