From childhood, I was closer to violence than to peace. When I first heard the phrase “I wish for world peace” from a contestant in a beauty pageant on TV, I felt no connection to it. My life experiences, filled with both physical and verbal violence, convinced me that the idea of world peace was nothing more than a utopia.
I grew up with many wounds, and even though it wasn’t my intention, I unconsciously hurt those close to me, as well as animals and plants, through my actions, words, and thoughts. Real change came during my trip to India, where I naturally transitioned to a vegetarian diet and began practicing yoga and meditation regularly.
Through studying yoga and the gradual changes that followed, I discovered four key steps that helped me on my journey toward nonviolence and inner peace. I would like to share them with you, as I believe they can be beneficial to you as well.
1. Stopping the Consumption of Pornography
My six-month stay in India was the time when I first broke free from my addiction to pornography. In India, I had no time, space, or thoughts for pornography. Upon returning home, I realized I no longer missed it. This step led me to a profound awareness and change. Pornography, while it may seem like a harmless way to relieve stress at first glance, actually has much deeper impacts on the psyche and emotions.
Psychological Consequences:
Watching pornography can trigger various psychological issues. Many people experience increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and distorted perceptions of intimate relationships. For me, it led to seeing women as sexual objects rather than gentle beings, which affected my ability to form and maintain healthy relationships.
A New Perspective on Intimacy:
Stopping the consumption of pornography allowed me to discover new perspectives on relationships and intimacy. When I stopped consuming this content, I began to appreciate real, personal connections more and experience intimacy with greater depth and authenticity. This step taught me that true intimacy goes far beyond superficial and visual experiences. I gained greater self-awareness and restored my ability to experience relationships in their true, deep form.
2. Non-Violent Communication (NVC)
I first encountered nonviolent communication when I wanted to join a community in the Canary Islands. This community had NVC as one of the requirements for accepting new members. From the name alone, I thought I knew what it was about, but after watching a seminar on YouTube by Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of NVC, I realized how deeply I was mistaken.
Principles of Nonviolent Communication:
Nonviolent communication is based on four main principles: observing without evaluating, expressing feelings, identifying needs, and making requests. These principles help create an environment where it’s possible to openly and honestly share feelings without causing conflict or misunderstanding.
Personal Benefit:
Thanks to this method, I learned to better understand my own emotions and respond more effectively to situations that would have previously upset or frustrated me. This skill allowed me to approach people with greater empathy and understanding, leading to deeper and more harmonious relationships. Nonviolent communication also taught me to listen better and create space for mutual respect and understanding.
3. Raw food
After returning from India, I decided to cleanse my body with a week-long juice fast, followed by a transition to a raw diet inspired by Arnold Ehret. Then I went to Taiwan, where I started eating only fruit. After a month, my body adapted, and I found that my perception of the world had completely transformed. It’s likely that my cells regenerated, and my gut microbiome changed, contributing to my mental balance.
Principles of Fruitarianism:
Fruitarianism involves eating primarily fruit, but sometimes it’s supplemented with leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. This diet is based on the principle that we consume food that is most easily processed by our digestive tract, providing us with more energy. Fruit fully nourishes the body, providing all the necessary vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and antioxidants while also hydrating the body. Eating freshly ripened fruit directly from the tree or ground means consuming foods full of solar energy and life.
Spiritual Connection:
Transitioning to a raw diet also strengthened my connection with nature and my awareness of the interconnectedness of all living beings. I began to realize that what I eat has a direct impact on my body, mind, and emotions. This new perspective taught me to respect nature more and increased my awareness of how my daily choices affect not only me but the world around me.
4. Meditation
A Vipassana meditation retreat in Dharamsala was a key experience on my journey to inner peace and harmony. Regular meditation not only allowed me to relax and calm my mind but also to better understand my thoughts and feelings and become more aware of what’s happening in my body throughout the day.
Techniques and Benefits:
Meditation offers various techniques that help relax the mind and gain deeper insight into one’s inner self. By focusing on the breath, visualization, or mantras, I gained better control over my emotions and thought patterns. Meditation helped me manage stress, improve concentration, and bring more peace and balance into my life.
Personal Experience:
Regular meditation allowed me to create an inner space where I could explore and understand my feelings without being overwhelmed by negative emotions. It also taught me how to be present in the moment and better handle the challenges and stresses of everyday life. Through meditation, I found a way to deal with inner conflicts and achieve lasting peace.
Conclusion
Each of these steps—stopping the consumption of pornography, nonviolent communication, raw diet, and meditation—was an important element on my journey to inner peace and nonviolence. Together, they created a framework for my personal growth and transformation. If you’re seeking a path to inner peace, I hope that my experiences can offer you inspiration and practical advice on how to start your own journey. I’m aware that your journey will be different and your experiences may vary, but the essential thing is that we move together toward world peace by finding peace within ourselves.