Light Of Nonviolence - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Light of Nonviolence" by Sushilmuni, as told by H. H. Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj to Courtney Schlosser:

Overview:

"Light of Nonviolence" is a collection of stories and teachings attributed to H. H. Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj (referred to as "Guruji"), a prominent Jain spiritual leader and peace advocate. The book, compiled and written by Courtney Schlosser, aims to illuminate the core Jain principle of ahimsa (nonviolence) through narratives that span Guruji's life, his spiritual insights, and the wisdom of enlightened beings like Lord Mahavira. The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life and the transformative power of consciousness, love, and nonviolence.

Guruji's Life and Teachings (Part I):

Part I focuses on Guruji's personal experiences and the profound lessons he derived from them. The stories are categorized into several chapters, highlighting different facets of his spiritual journey and understanding:

Higher Consciousness: This section explores states of expanded awareness and the interplay of reason and faith. Stories like "Reason and Faith" illustrate how faith and spiritual practice can overcome physical adversity (poisoning). "Kundalini Energy" details Guruji's experiences with this potent spiritual force, emphasizing its transformative potential. "Victory Over Maya" recounts a profound interaction with a past spiritual master that led to a realization of true inner potential, coinciding with Guruji's ordination as a monk. "The Possibilities of Higher Consciousness" showcases Guruji's ability to manifest extraordinary states of awareness, experiencing visions of spiritual figures and realizing the power of imagination. "Soap and Water" uses a parable to explain how right knowledge and practice are essential for purifying the mind, much like cleaning a mirror.
The Real World: This section delves into Guruji's understanding of reality, emphasizing the subtle spiritual dimension that influences the physical world. "The Divine Spirit" highlights Guruji's belief in love as the energy of the divine spirit and its power to foster peace and understanding. "The Cow Protection Movement" describes Guruji's leadership in a large-scale protest against the proposed slaughter of cows, illustrating his commitment to animal rights and nonviolence. "The Astrologer of India" demonstrates how ego and pride can blind individuals to truth, while also acknowledging the influence of cosmic forces. "The Homeopathic Doctor" illustrates the power of consciousness to transcend physical cause and effect, as Guruji healed himself from medication side effects through sheer will and spiritual understanding.
Animal Beings: This section explores the consciousness and nature of animals and their relationship with humans. Guruji's observations reveal that animals, while different in their expression, share a common life force with humans. Stories like "The Cobra Snake" highlight the power of fearlessness and love in transforming encounters with potentially dangerous creatures. "Red and Black Monkeys" and "Greed and Ingratitude" offer insights into animal behavior and draw parallels to human tendencies, emphasizing the need to overcome selfish desires. "Bombay Zoo" portrays a remarkable coexistence of humans and animals, demonstrating the potential for harmony through love and understanding. "The Owl" shares dream experiences where an owl imparts wisdom about human behavior and the need for nonviolence for planetary survival. "Wild Boars" recounts a childhood encounter where faith in spiritual mantras protected Guruji from a potentially dangerous animal, highlighting the importance of inner strength and recognizing shared life force.
Healing Energy: This chapter focuses on the power of consciousness and spiritual practices to bring about healing. "Faith Healing" describes Guruji's early experiences with the Namokar Mantra and its ability to heal, underscoring the power of belief and sound vibration. "Mother and Child" illustrates how past karma can manifest in present relationships, and how spiritual practices can purify negative karmic influences. "The Tree Meditation" demonstrates the interconnectedness of all life, showing how drawing and giving energy can heal a tree, and by extension, society. "The Alkhad Tree" highlights the transformative power of love and spiritual practice in neutralizing the effects of even deadly substances.
Astral Beings: This section addresses encounters with non-physical entities. "Disappearing Yogis" describes Guruji's experiences with yogis who could materialize and dematerialize, offering insights into advanced yogic abilities. "The Ghost Lady" recounts an encounter with a ghost and the importance of understanding and controlling one's energy to remain unaffected by such entities.
Extraordinary Communications and Events: This part features stories of seemingly miraculous occurrences and communications that defy ordinary explanation. "Three Days in Calcutta" discusses the nature of religion, karma, and spiritual communication, showcasing Guruji's ability to connect with departed spirits and convey important messages. "Message from Allah" details a divine revelation concerning a war, demonstrating precognition and the universality of divine guidance across religions. "Trip to Kashmir" recounts Guruji's experience of levitation, highlighting the potential for consciousness to overcome physical limitations. "River Crossing" illustrates the protective power of the Namokar Mantra, demonstrating how faith and cosmic connection can avert danger. "Ramu, the Psychic" details a telepathic experiment, emphasizing the power of focused consciousness and the subtle body for psychic communication.
Death and Beyond: This section explores the nature of death and the afterlife from a spiritual perspective. "The Death of a Yogi" shares Guruji's personal experience of his Guru's passing, emphasizing the importance of emotional control and "watchfulness" in maintaining inner peace. "Dada Guru" explains Guruji's mission to the West, inspired by a spiritual directive from a revered yogi, highlighting his dedication to spreading the message of nonviolence and spiritual development globally.

Lord Mahavira and Other Enlightened Beings (Part II):

Part II shifts focus to the teachings and examples of Lord Mahavira and other spiritual figures, underscoring the perennial nature of spiritual truths.

A Fully Enlightened Being: Lord Mahavira: This chapter introduces Lord Mahavira as a central figure in Jainism. The stories illustrate his profound compassion and spiritual power. "The Conversion of the Snake" depicts Mahavira's ability to transform a venomous snake through nonviolence and love. "The Prince and the Elephant" shares a powerful tale of reincarnation and sacrifice, demonstrating how past actions influence present lives and how Mahavira's wisdom illuminated this truth for a prince. "Gautam's Enlightenment" recounts the final stages of Gautam Swami's journey to enlightenment under Mahavira's guidance, emphasizing the importance of shedding attachments to achieve true spiritual realization. "An Infected Ear" reveals how even enlightened beings are subject to the law of karma, using Mahavira's experience with an infected ear to illustrate the consequences of past actions and the power of detachment.
Secret Knowledge: This section delves into esoteric knowledge and its impact. "The Judge's Gun" tells of Guruji's encounter with a judge and how spiritual practice can render instruments of violence ineffective, leading to the judge's discipleship. "Secret Knowledge" shares a story about a miraculous herbal cure that transformed a judge's father, highlighting the power of hidden natural remedies and the importance of purity in intentions. "The Power of Sound" recounts an experience where sound and intention transformed women into panthers and back, emphasizing the deep connection between consciousness, sound, and physical reality. "The Prince and the Lion" shares an account of a judge's encounter with what might have been the spirit of a lion-hunting prince, illustrating the cyclical nature of life and the potential for spiritual presence.
Miscellaneous Gems: This chapter includes further stories that illustrate universal spiritual principles. "The Chinese Emperor" tells of an Indian minister's encounter with a wise emperor, emphasizing the power of positive thought and intention for societal stability. "Lion's Milk" describes a guru testing his disciples' devotion by demanding lion's milk, showcasing the king's courage and the guru's wisdom in demonstrating true love. "The Angry King" illustrates how seeing one's own anger reflected can lead to self-awareness and transformation, with a queen using mirrors to help her husband overcome his destructive rage. "Jesus Christ in India" explores the historical presence of Jesus in India, his learning of Eastern philosophies, and the universal themes of love, nonviolence, and self-realization that he brought back to the West.

Core Themes and Philosophy:

"Light of Nonviolence" champions the following core themes and philosophical principles:

Ahimsa (Nonviolence): The central tenet, understood not just as abstaining from physical harm but also from harm in thought, word, and deed.
Interconnectedness: The understanding that all living beings and the universe are fundamentally linked.
Power of Consciousness: The belief that consciousness is a potent force capable of healing, transformation, and influencing reality.
Love and Compassion: The cultivation of universal love as the highest spiritual practice and the key to peace.
Spiritual Practice: The importance of meditation, chanting, yoga, and disciplined living for spiritual growth and self-realization.
Detachment: The practice of non-attachment to worldly desires and even to spiritual experiences for ultimate liberation.
Karma: The understanding of cause and effect, and how past actions shape present circumstances and future lives.
Perennialism: The belief that the core spiritual truths are consistent across major world religions.
Self-Realization: The ultimate goal of awakening one's true divine nature.

The book concludes with an invitation to readers to share their own stories of Guruji, aiming to further preserve and disseminate his teachings and legacy. It highlights the ongoing work of his successor, Yuvacharya Amrendra Muniji, who continues to spread the message of peace and nonviolence globally.