Let’s talk about Violence, I know this is a taboo topic in enlightenment circles, and this may sound even more taboo when I say violence is an option, but I firmly believe that violence is neither evil nor good. Violence is a principle by which much of life sustains itself. There is a constant bloody war being waged in your body everyday, fighting off viruses and bacteria and your white blood cells alone are killing machines. Without that Violence you would surely die. Nonviolence is a virtue, but so is destruction, not everyone’s dharma is non-violent. Warriors must defend peace and justice, Arjuna had to defend his kingdom from oppressive tyrannical greed. He wished to be nonviolent, he wished to be a begger then face his own cousins on the battlefield. Krishna said it was not his duty, and it is worse to do the duty of another perfectly then it is to do your own duty poorly.
We are all brave warriors, we are all fighting for our souls, we are all in the battlefield of lust, greed, desire and ego, we all must face the demons in which we take pleasure and disgust in feeding. I call out to you warrior, I call out to fight tooth and nail for peace and harmony to benefit all sentient beings. There cannot be peace if we are pitted against another distracted and divided, butting our horns while wolves slowly eat upon the flock in the chaos. Open your eyes, see what you are, know thyself in everything you do, see thyself in all that you see, wake up, see the evil in man is the evil in yourself and in standing against the evil of man you stand against the evil of yourself and for the justice of all sentient beings, I do not call for the weapons, the guns and swords of man, I beg one to be violently compassionate, violently just, violently aware, violently honest with yourself, and violently authentic. All of this vibrantly illuminates and dispels the shadows of illusion that greed, desire, ego and lust has cast and has conditioned on our souls causing us to suffer. Become disillusioned from it, help free yourself from its binding, for this benefits all sentient beings when you do. See that you truly are a being of light at your most fundamental and primary existence, and that even the darkest abyss of the cosmos cannot put out a single candle light. As long as the light of life flows through your being no amount of darkness or even death can take life from you.
The trauma, the suffering, and the pain were once necessary—harsh but vital tools forged in a world brimming with strife and ignorance. In their earliest forms, these mechanisms were meant to keep you alive, honing your instincts to flee danger, secure nourishment, and shield yourself from harm. Yet as we grow into the conditioned patterns of human life, they take on new shapes within our minds. They begin to carve out the contours of an assumed self, forging our sense of identity from the raw materials of fear, pain, and separation. This is the root of our conditioning: an ancient and deeply ingrained ego that has persistently twisted these survival mechanisms into illusions that enslave us rather than protect us.
This ego, born from the dread of impermanence and the terror of isolation, feeds on our sense of lack. It whispers that we are incomplete—that we must accumulate, possess, and control in order to quell the uncomfortable truth that nothing lasts forever. From this fear springs the illusions of lust and greed: lust for fleeting pleasure and greed for ceaseless accumulation, each an attempt to cover the unsettling emptiness within. Underneath their shimmering promise lies the very fear that sustains them: the conviction that we are fundamentally separate, that we will vanish if we do not grasp at life’s passing gifts, and that our worth depends on what we possess or consume.
To be fearless is to face the fragile, transitory nature of existence itself and refuse the ego’s tyranny. True courage lies in stripping away these layers of conditioned craving and aversion, acknowledging that we neither lose ourselves in letting go, nor become real through clinging. By daring to stand naked before our impermanence—without fixating on external desires—we step into a freedom that rests on nothing external and needs no illusions to sustain it.
Be fearless, I commend you. Be fearless, brave, and authentic. This alone breaks the cycle of delusion, ushers you beyond the ego’s contrived boundaries, and reveals the radiant truth of what you truly are—a warrior of light and life. Such authenticity and fearlessness have been heralded time and again by the greatest religious teachers, mystics, and wisdom traditions from every corner of the globe. Their sacred texts and timeless verses, whether from Christianity, Hermeticism, Taoism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Gnostic teachings, all echo the same urgent call of being fearless and knowing our true selves as divine through the light of life and the death of ego. This simply requires a radical acceptance of self and in doing so we discover a selfless identity, one that needs not be defended, sustained, it lacks and wants nothing for there is nothing it is not.
Here’s a collection of text references to support this idea from various traditions. I’ve organized each section neatly by tradition to see how this is nothing new—it’s been said over and over and over, yet we refuse to listen:
Buddhism
- Pali Canon, Majjhima Nikaya 4 (“Bhayabherava Sutta”), trans. Bhikkhu Sujato (Public Domain):
“Endowed with this noble aggregate of ethical conduct, with this noble restraint of the sense faculties, with this noble mindfulness and alertness, and with this noble contentment, I resorted to remote lodgings in forests and jungle groves. When a wild animal came upon me, or a man, or a deity, I thought: ‘This is that fear and dread coming.’ I neither ran away nor retreated. And by not running away or retreating, that fear and dread faded away in me.”
- Pali Canon, Digha Nikaya 16 (“Mahaparinibbana Sutta”), trans. T.W. Rhys Davids (Public Domain):
“Therefore, Ananda, be ye lamps unto yourselves, be ye a refuge unto yourselves; betake yourselves to no external refuge. Hold fast to the Truth as a lamp; hold fast as a refuge to the Truth. Look not for a refuge in anyone besides yourselves.”
- Dhammapada 160, trans. F. Max Müller (1881, Public Domain):
“Oneself is indeed the protector of oneself—who else could be the protector? With oneself fully controlled, one gains a protector hard to find.”
Taoism
- Tao Te Ching, Chapter 33, trans. James Legge (1891, Public Domain):
“He who knows others is clever;
He who knows himself has discernment.
He who overcomes others is strong;
He who overcomes himself is mighty.
He who is satisfied with his lot is rich;
He who goes on acting with energy has a firm will.
He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long;
He who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.”
- Tao Te Ching, Chapter 13, trans. James Legge (1891, Public Domain):
“Favour and disgrace are equally to be feared, just as great troubles are to the body. Why should favour and disgrace be equally feared? Because those who gain favour fear its loss, and those who lose it fear its return. Thus, the sage regards the body as the world, and loving the world as one’s own self, can be entrusted with the empire. Holding the world dear as one’s own self, he can be given the guardianship of all things.”
- Tao Te Ching, Chapter 16, trans. James Legge (1891, Public Domain):
“Attain to the utmost emptiness; hold firmly to stillness. All things alike go through their processes of activity, and then we see them return to their origin. Returning to their origin, they rest, and by knowing that rest, they become free from fear. To know eternity is to be enlightened; not to know eternity is to be reckless and to invite calamity.”
- Tao Te Ching, Chapter 72, trans. James Legge (1891, Public Domain):
“When the people do not fear what is dreadful, then what is greatly dreadful will soon come. Therefore, do not confine them within narrow circumstances, and do not make their lives weary. If they do not weary of their lives, they will not value life too highly. Hence, the sage knows himself, but does not parade his knowledge; he loves himself, but does not exalt himself. He puts the latter away and chooses the former.”
- Tao Te Ching, Chapter 50, trans. James Legge (1891, Public Domain):
“Between birth and death, three in ten follow life, three in ten follow death, and three in ten merely pass from life to death. But he who lives in harmony with the Tao is not harmed by wild beasts or weapons. The rhinoceros finds no place in him to thrust its horn, the tiger no place to fasten its claw, the soldier no place for his blade. Why is this so? Because he has no place of death in him.”
Hinduism
Primary References
- Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 16, Verses 1–3, trans. Sir Edwin Arnold (1885, Public Domain):
“Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in devotion to knowledge and Yoga, almsgiving, control of the senses, sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity and straightforwardness; Harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, serenity, aversion to fault-finding, compassion towards all beings, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty, steadiness; Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred and pride—these belong to one born with divine endowments, O Bharata.”
- Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verses 31–33, trans. Sir Edwin Arnold (1885, Public Domain):
“Further, looking at thine own duty, thou oughtest not to waver; for there is nothing better for a Kshatriya (warrior) than a righteous battle. Happy are the Kshatriyas, O Arjuna, who are called to fight in such a battle that comes of itself, opening the door of heaven. But if thou refusest this lawful battle, then certainly thou wilt incur sin, for forsaking thy duty and thy honor.”
- Mundaka Upanishad, 2.2.9, trans. Max Müller (1879, Public Domain):
“He who knows that Supreme Brahman becomes fearless. For, when one knows Him who is without sound, touch, form, taste, and smell, undying and without end, without beginning and eternal, unchangeable, beyond the great and unmanifest, one is freed from all fear.”
Katha Upanishad, 2.3.14, trans. Max Müller (1884, Public Domain):
“When all the desires that dwell in the heart fall away, then the mortal becomes immortal and attains Brahman. Thus he becomes fearless.”
Hermeticism
(All translations by G.R.S. Mead, 1906, Public Domain)
- Corpus Hermeticum, Book I: “Poimandres”
“Man is a divine being, mortal only in his body, but immortal in his essential manhood. He is the master of all things in the world, but he is mastered by his own passions. He is light and life. The elements of his nature are immortal, but the elements of the body are mortal. That which cannot die is always living; the immortal comes from the Light and Life, and it is said that man is born of the Light and Life.”
“If you learn to know yourself, O Soul, you will understand the light and life which exist within you and the way you are connected to the whole. For that light within you is a ray of the divine, uniting you to the eternal source of all.”
- Corpus Hermeticum, Book XIII: “The Secret Sermon on the Mountain”
“Learn to know yourself, O Soul; then you shall understand that you are the light and the life of God himself. For the Soul of man is divine, and the source of light within you is the reflection of the eternal flame.”
“For the man who has understood himself advances toward the light and life of the divine. He becomes one with the good, freed from the dark passions of the body. All that is light seeks light, and all that is life desires eternal life.”
- Corpus Hermeticum, Book VII: “The Greatest Ill Among Men”
“The greatest ill among men is ignorance of the divine. For what greater ignorance is there than for a man not to know himself? Know yourself, then, for within you is the light of life, and from that light, all things are made manifest. By this light, man is freed, and by it, man becomes godlike.”
- Corpus Hermeticum, Book II: “To Asclepius”
“The light and life of God shine in every man who knows himself. He who sees himself sees God, and in God, he sees himself as light. For only in the light can truth be seen, and only in life can immortality be found.”
Gnosticism
- Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi Library), Saying 3:
“If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside you, and it is outside you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.”
- Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi Library), Saying 77:
“Jesus said, ‘I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there.’”
- The Apocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Library), On the Light Within (NHL II, 1.19–20):
“And the Savior appeared, not in his true form, but in the form of a great angel of light. His likeness resembles a reflection, shimmering in the waters, and he said to me: ‘I am the light, the mind of thought. I am the light that is in all things. I am the fullness that is in all, for I came from the fullness, and the fullness is within me.’”
- The Apocryphon of John (Nag Hammadi Library), On Knowing the Self (NHL II, 1.20–21):
“Ignorance of the Father brought about terror and fear. But the knowledge of the truth abolishes them. Because they are terrorized and disturbed and unstable, they do not see the light. But the person who has gained self-knowledge is filled with light and will not lack in divine fullness.”
- The Gospel of Philip (Nag Hammadi Library), On Light and Darkness (NHL II, 3.77–78):
“Light and darkness, life and death, right and left, are brothers of one another. They are inseparable. Because of this, neither are the good good, nor evil evil, nor is life life, nor death death. Each one will dissolve into its origin. But those who have become free through knowledge know themselves, for they are from the light and return to the light.”
- The Gospel of Philip (Nag Hammadi Library), On Truth and Self-Knowledge (NHL II, 3.85):
“Truth did not come into the world naked but in symbols and images. The world will not receive truth in any other way. There is a rebirth and an image of rebirth. It is necessary to be born again through knowledge of the true self and the living Father.”
- The Gospel of Mary (Nag Hammadi Library), On Fearlessness (NHL, BG 8502, 1.18–19):
“Do not let the soul be dominated by fear. For where the mind is fearful, it forgets its true nature. Instead, let it turn inward and ascend, for the soul is full of light and life, and its origin is divine.”
- The Gospel of Mary (Nag Hammadi Library), On the Inner Journey (NHL, BG 8502, 1.7–9):
“Every nature, every modeled form, every creature exists within each other. They will dissolve again into their own root. For the essence of all is one, and it is light. Blessed is the one who knows this truth and knows themselves.”
Sikhism
- Guru Granth Sahib, Japji Sahib (Ang 1), trans. Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909, Public Domain):
“There is One Supreme Being, the Eternal Reality, the Creator, without fear, without hatred, timeless, unborn, self-existent, realized by the grace of the Guru.”
(This opening invocation emphasizes the Divine as without fear (Nirbhau), guiding the devotee toward a state of inner fearlessness.)
- Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 441, trans. Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909, Public Domain):
“O my mind, you are the very embodiment of the Divine Light—recognize your own origin. By understanding yourself, you dispel doubt and fear, and awaken to the truth within.”
(This verse stresses self-knowledge and authenticity, recognizing one’s true nature as divine light, which removes fear.)
- Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 293, trans. Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909, Public Domain):
“Meditate continually upon the Name of the Lord, and fear departs. With remembrance, pain and sorrow vanish, leaving the mind serene and unwavering.”
(Here, devotion and remembrance of the Divine Name bestow fearlessness and inner peace.)
- Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 463, trans. Max Arthur Macauliffe (1909, Public Domain):
“Pervading each and every heart, the Lord’s Light shines forth. Knowing this truth, one is freed from fear, for the Eternal dwells within all.”
(This line affirms the omnipresence of the Divine Light, whose realization leads to the dissolution of fear and the embrace of authenticity.)
Jainism
Primary References
- Acaranga Sutra, Book I, Lecture 1, Section 5 (SBE Vol. 22), trans. Hermann Jacobi (1884, Public Domain):
“The wise, rich in knowledge, understanding the nature of their own being and all living beings, become calm and do not harm. By knowing life’s misery, they control themselves, subdue themselves, and thus become free from fear.”
- Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Chapter 10, Verse 35 (SBE Vol. 45), trans. Hermann Jacobi (1895, Public Domain):
“He who rightly understands the soul, pure and immortal, discerns truth from falsehood. In that understanding, fear departs, for ignorance is the root of dread. Thus knowing himself, he stands firm like a mountain, unshaken by the storms of life.”
- Sutrakritanga Sutra, Book I, Lecture 11, Verse 3 (SBE Vol. 45), trans. Hermann Jacobi (1895, Public Domain):
“As a man who has found a safe ford crosses the flood without fear, so he who has gained the knowledge of self and the nature of things crosses beyond terror and doubt. Dwelling in wisdom, he is unafraid.”
Canonical Christianity
(All references from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Public Domain)
Primary Passages
- 2 Timothy 1:7:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
- 1 John 4:18:
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
- John 8:32:
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
On Light and the Divine Within
- John 1:4–5:
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
- Matthew 5:14–16:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
- John 8:12:
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:16:
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
On Fearlessness
- Joshua 1:9:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
- Psalm 27:1:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Now there probably is a lot more scriptures on this, and I didn’t even mention beliefs like Islamic Sufism, Zoroastrianism, many fringe or niche esoteric or occulted beliefs and other subsects of Vedantic and Buddhist traditions. But all of them share this whole entire concept: fearless and possessing the light of life or divinity within us as life beyond the flesh.
In the crucible of existence, we are both the warrior and the battlefield. Violence is not merely an external force, but an intrinsic rhythm of life – a sacred dance of creation and destruction that pulses through every cell, every breath, every moment of our being. We are not passive observers, but active participants in a cosmic war against our own illusions, our conditioned fears, and the shadowy constructs of ego that keep us fragmented and asleep.
To be violently compassionate is to tear away the veils of ignorance with the razor-sharp blade of awareness. It is to look unflinchingly into the abyss of our own darkness and recognize that the monsters we fear are but reflections of our unintegrated selves. We are called not to destroy, but to transform – to transmute the lead of our suffering into the gold of understanding.
Every traumatic experience, every moment of pain, is an invitation to awakening to the real, and authentic self. You are not your wounds, but the infinite light that witnesses them. You are not defined by your fears, but by the courage to face them.
Be fearless. Not in the absence of fear, but in its direct, unblinking presence. Be authentic – not as a performance, but as a radical act of self-liberation. Strip away the layers of conditioning, challenge the narratives that bind you, and step into the raw, unfiltered truth of your being.
This is your battlefield. This is your dharma. This is your moment to illuminate the world with the revolutionary light of your own awakened consciousness.
A Helper of Hermes 