The Attack

Coming home and catching a little news last night, the big story was Barrack Obama hitting John McCain fin a TV ad for not knowing how many houses he has. McCain stuck back with an amazing vicious ad. The only thing he didn't do, was overtly use the "N" word toward him (though technically his actions do). Instead of talking about the issues that really matter, it's become a matter of mostly McCain tearing Obama down by chopping at the foundation of this being, challenging the nature of his character.

This got me to thinking about what happens in our own everyday lives. Do we embrace or do we push others away? How do I place myself in your mind? Do I use my words and behavior to enter your mind, being cruel and rude or do I make an effort to be within your mind with kindness and compassion?

The other day, I was dealing with someone who was "taking my inventory," and in an odd way, though they don't know my character... verbally attacked me in a fairly passive/aggressive manner. On top of this, they wanted to talk about a sucject wherein they had not real intention of listening to the answer. Going though the process made me very sad. Personally, I despise sparring, hacking at and battling with people. It's generally unpleasant and almost always counter-productive. It's too easy and intellectually lazy to say to a person you are ________________ (fill in your favorite adjective to describe what you think of them).

My personal reaction is to walk away from people like that. Why? Because beating up on people intellectually is nothing more than a form of abuse (which as mentioned above, John McCain seems all too comfortable with). That is not going to unify, it's going to break people, places and things. How can I genuinely gain benefit for ripping and tearing at you? here might be a short term gain or superiority or satisfaction, but in the long run the resulting effects are terrible.

So the question becomes, what can we do? There is a possible solution and actually my preferred solution that I strive to follow. It goes like this "I will be reverential and mindful with all life; I will not be violent nor will I kill." For me that means not just physically but also intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. I find that I don't have to be perfect at this, just honestly engaged in the effort, understanding the possible benefits of living This Way.

May All Beings Be Happy and Free,

Jaye Morris, Curator
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