Re; Peace

Date: March 24, 2006 at 20:13:31
From: LondonBarbara, [user-7749.l2.c2.dsl.pol.co.uk]
Subject: Re; Peace

It seems to me that a lot of people are against something, rather than 'for' something. But it's not possible to have unity from hatred, even if that hatred is for a bad thing like violence. It would be better if we all acted positively, and FOR something; a bit like the Garden Guerillas, who go out at night and plant flowers in public spaces. :-)
Whatever you focus on, expands. If we focus on problems, wrongs, injustice, etc, we help nothing.
To have peace in the world, we must have peace in ourselves. This doesn't mean, 'I'll refrain from violence.' Most of us don't engage in violence: only the most aggressive actually go around looking for quarrels and assaulting others. All violence is based on egoism. "I want this for myself, and you'd better give it to me." War is just egoism writ large.
We get the government we deserve. If we were not egoistic as a society, we would have different rulers. Egoism, greed and self-seeking, are the modus operandi of most people: why the surprise when governments behave in a similar fashion?
We consider ourselves higher than the animal kingdom, but a visitor from mars would enquire why. If we eat, mate, fight those who threaten our safety, care for our families - how are we better than frogs or bears? Animals do all these things. Fine if we want to be merely animals, but I don't think we can then claim the titles 'human' or 'civilised'.
If you doubt that egoism is the driving force in most people, then have a look at the subway of any major city at rush hour. 'You have to look after Number One'. 'Every man for himself'. 'Blood is thicker than water'. As long as people react from ego, there will be no peace. Peace depends on each of us overcoming selfishness. It's easier to point at others who are usefully enacting this egoism - Bush, Blair, Hussein, whomever. Sure they are, but focusing on others doesn't help us to recognise the egoism in ourselves. When was the last time you did a favour, knowing it would never be returned? Helped someone who wasn't a relative or friend? Gave up something to help another, even if you suffered?
I think that if we all work on ourselves, this will bring about peace faster than any amount of criticism or fighting against warmongers.

Barbara

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