"When the spiritual life has
put down deep roots, there is a natural, organic evolution into deep
nonviolence: the attitude and practice of non-harming. Even individuals
who come from aggression naturally progress beyond the need to the
resort of violence. The realization of the
interconnectedness of all beings brings with it a sense of the utter
preciousness of all life. Every being in every species is precious and
irreplaceable. Man and women on the spiritual journey who have made
this realization would rather suffer harm themselves then harm another. They extend this attitude of non-harming to all sentient beings and to
the planet itself. A commitment to deep
nonviolence is necessary to the emerging global culture, and to
inter-spirituality. Nonviolence adjusts our external actions to our
inner attitudes, and makes them consistent with compassion and the
demands of love. As we grow in spiritual wisdom, we become more
sensitive to the rights of others, including other species. Gentleness,
calm, patience, and humility are all aspects of non-harming; they are
expressions of this wonderful quality often regarded as an attribute of
the divine itself."
Brother Wayne Teasdale in "The Mystic Heart: Discovering Spirituality in the World's Religions"