The Choice of Nonviolence and the Infinite Seed
Louis Campana
I would first like to congratulate you on the choice you have made: the choice of nonviolence and the way you have chosen to see the world. You may have observed that the world we live in is not only violent but dominated by a will for domination and profit. The greatest agent of this world is what we call ‘economic development.’ I would like to explain how this development can be a catastrophe.
A few years ago, I met with Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and a Guarani chief from South America. The Guarani people never considered the earth as property. When asked what ‘development’ meant to him, the chief replied that the word did not exist in his language. He said, ‘In our world, we have a word: balance.’
This means balance with nature, the environment, the cosmos, God, the unknown forces, others, and ourselves. When this balance is broken, violence begins. These people have never damaged their environment. Before farming, they ask the earth for forgiveness for digging into her. They live beyond what we call ‘sustainability.’
In my own tradition, the first commandment is to love God with all your heart and strength, and the second is to love your fellow being as yourself. It is a matter of balance. I would like to quote Satish Kumar: ‘You are, therefore I am.’ This is very different from Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am.’
In France, the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre once said, ‘Hell is other people.’ He was right in the sense that when I compare myself to others, I often try to be the best or the most intelligent. Loving others is the opposite: it is stepping down from the stage to let others stand upon it, seeking their happiness.
We are like a deep well. The purpose of life is to seek the ‘infinite seed’ within us. This is true in all religious traditions unless they are manipulated for political or ideological gain. Gandhi was a master of this. In all his social work and struggles, he listened to his ‘inner voice.’ You are right to trust Gandhi’s teachings.
Be brave. The world is difficult; you will climb mountains and navigate oceans of difficulties. But if you find your inner seed, you will succeed in everything. Thank you, and be brave.”
Acknowledgment
This brief address was delivered at the valedictory session of the online International Fellowship Programme on Nonviolence and Peace, organised by Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan on January 30, 2026. The programme was held in association with an esteemed network of global partners, including Gandhi International (France), The Academic University College for Non-Violence and Human Rights (AUNOHR) (Lebanon), the International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) at the Durban University of Technology (South Africa), and Portland Community College (USA).Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the International Fellowship Programme on Nonviolence and Peace, introduced the speaker, Louis Campana. His address, originally delivered in French, was translated into English by Christophe Grigri, Coordinator of Gandhi International.
About the Speaker
Louis Campana is an influential French nonviolent activist and the founding President of Gandhi International. As a direct disciple of Lanza del Vasto (known as Shantidas or the “Gandhi of Europe”), he has dedicated his life to propagating Gandhian ideals across Europe and beyond.He is a recipient of many accolades, including the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for promoting Gandhian values abroad. Through Gandhi International, he continues to federate various nonviolent organisations under a single Gandhian banner to address issues of poverty, exclusion, and environmental damage.
