Response and reaction may sound like words with similar meanings, but they are actually two different sides of the same coin. Response means acceptance or non acceptance with a positive attitude.

Reaction is when we don't accept, we rebel, allowing our anger to overcome us and we become blind with rage and act in a manner which hurts others.

We read incidents of road rage, where people actually resort to weapons to kill others without even giving a thought to the consequences of their action. This is called reaction. Doubt and anger are the basis of reaction, whereas people with love and faith always respond.

All great masters of the world, whether in the East or West teach us how to respond. They never react. Their whole life stands as a living witness for life's great principle- Response. 

When Jesus Christ was tortured and crucified, he accepted the suffering. While dying on the cross, he prayed for the well being of his oppressors. He prayed for their own good- that they might be forgiven.

When lord Rama's step mother, Kaikeyi sought the boon of exiling Rama to the forest for 14 years, the Lord accepted with a smile on his face. He even touched her feet as a sign of respect before leaving for the forest. He harboured no hatred or anger within him for Kaikeyi. Rama had responded beautifully.

On the other hand, his brother Lakshmana was seething with rage. He wanted to kill Kaikeyi for his cruel deed. He asked for Rama's permission to imprison their own father whom he called 'unjust and henpecked'. Lakshmana was reacting to the situation. In fact, it was Rama's response which helped Lakshmana to calm down.

It may seem that response is forgiveness. In fact, forgiveness without hatred and feeling of revenge is response. Many people may appear to forgive, but that is merely a suppression of anger and hatred. Such unexpressed anger remains deep within and when the occasion arises, they will be expressed. That would be reaction, not response.

Response is an attitude that happens when one is totally detatched. For that the mind has to be free of the ego. Mind and ego can only react as they are the storehouses of the past and past is the seat of anger, hatred, attachment, jealously and all negativity.

The past is our problem creator and we must forego it. Great Mahatmas or saints remain a blank sheet of paper while ordinary people keep on writing on the pages continuing to add to the gigantic books( the past) to which they refer, and then, react.

Response comes from the great soul who remains blank. He does not want to disturb the silence with unnecessary sounds or disfigure the blank sheet of paper with unnecessary words. Response comes out of love and love cannot hurt.

So let us all inculcate the habit of responding to situations. For this, we will have to subdue our ego. One needs great inner strength, love and compassion, understanding and acceptance to achieve that state. Once we develop this attitude (response), then our mind will always remain calm and peaceful and the world will be a much better place.