Prema, Ahimsa and Shanti

Three Sankskrit words that deserve to be widely disseminated.

The recent position of the full moon in relation to the statue of Gandhi in San Francisco (pictured below) felt like the perfect moment to share three important Sanskrit words. Gandhi advocated for Ahimsa, the principle of non-violence. To realize this, we need a roadmap. One path is through Prema, a Sanskrit word meaning universal love. And this turn leads us to peace, or Shanti as it is called in Sankskrit.

Prema, or universal love, transcends religion. It is a fundamental skill that anyone can learn, practice, cultivate and nurture. It is not just an abstract philosophical concept—it is a way of thinking and being - that informs our words and actions.

The work of the World Love Forum (WLF) is grounded in science and public health, but it also embraces the integration of science and soul. In that context, words such as Prema in Sanskrit or Chessed, which means loving-kindness in Hebrew, remind us of the universal human essence that connects us all.

Love gives life meaning. It is also a pathway to peace.

Call to Action:
What small acts of Prema can you practice today? Can you share a kind word? Offer someone a helping hand? Offer someone compassionate understanding? All of these seemingly small actions will nevertheless generate positive ripples that can travel far and reverberate through other people’s lives. This is one way to foster peace in our families, schools, workplaces, and social media. And in so doing, you can start to build the world you wish for — for yourself, your children and your grandchildren.

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