Meta-Musing

 

War: Stop The Insanity! 

Arlington Cemetery

Blessings to You!

A few days ago, a husband and father of 2, who happened to be a soldier in Afghanistan, killed 16 innocent people; men, women and children. I feel sickened at the thought. The Taliban is screaming "retaliation," as the American people stand by stunned; confused about how this all really got started, and feeling helpless to make it stop.

War is insane. Period. Perhaps this is the "second original; sin a sin against each other."  In the old "which came first, the chicken or the egg" mindset, we point self-justified fingers at each other, as we assign blame and swear retaliation. And so it goes. Can anything be done to stop the insanity?

Read on, and consider some of the possibilities and implications. 
Afghani Child and soldier

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18


"The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good."
Unity Wisdom - Charles Fillmore, "Prosperity"

" There is sure to be repetition of war and peace, plenty and famine, good times and depressions until we take the control of mind substance away from the sense (carnal/human) man and give it to the spiritual man."
Veteran Funeral Flag


Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Definition of War

 

War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political communities, also: an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will. 

 

 Google Online Dictionary Definition of Insanity

 

  • The state of being seriously mentally ill; madness.
  • Extreme foolishness or irrationality.
  •    

    Benjamin Franklin's Definition of Insanity

     

    Doing the same thing the same way over and over expecting a different result.

     

    Is Peace a Possibility

    War is a current fact of life. It is NOT a statement of Truth. It is what it is, not what it must be. If war is ever to end, we must understand that we are One; we are all connected and interdependent. When one part of creation is hurt or attacked, the whole of creation is impacted.

    Whereas peace is a possibility, we will not be able to stop the insanity of war until we are willing to stop glorifying it. While fighting for what we believe, whatever side we may be on may make some folks heroes, and rightly so, there are other ways to work through our conflicts. Ways that do not kill or maim others, and destroy our precious planet. We must be willing to refuse to participate in the movies, games and television programs that glorify violence and war.

    Because war is insane, it causes insanity. We can't make sanity out of insanity and to try to do so only makes us insane. We may call it by the name PTSD, but to me, it is the effect of involvement in an activity contrary to our True nature, which is love.

    Violence begets violence. Regarding war, the thoughts we consistently hold in mind...COLLECTIVELY...will manifest after their kind. Of course the law works individually, but war comes out of the collective consciousness. War and violence show the effects of the collective violent thought sent forth. Unchecked, untransformed, there is only one direction it can go.

    We cannot judge our military people. They are doing what they believe is the right thing, and in the current state of human consciousness, they very well may be right...at this level. We cannot judge our perceived enemies. They, too, have are doing what they believe is right, and have been influenced by the culture; the collective consciousness they were raised in.

    The one thing we can assign "blame," or "accountability" to is consciousness. And that is one thing we can change, first within ourselves, and then as a part of the collective.

    Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity said, and scientists agree, that the energy of the thoughts and feelings we hold send forth a vibration...a 'magnetic energy' that attracts like energy. When "critical mass" is reached, manifestation occurs. We can start sending out a vibration of peace, aligning our thoughts, feelings and actions with peace, and reaching out to others of like mind.

    Mother Teresa said she would never attend an "anti-war rally," but she would be there for a "pro-peace rally." There are many organizations we can join that support peace. Seeds of Peace teaches young people from the Middle-East new ways to deal with conflict, and live peacefully. It is striving to be a part of the shift to something better. For more information, go to www.seedsofpeace.org. Another organization is called "I Wage Peace" www.iwagepeace.org. I, personally, have offered my services to Seeds of Peace, hoping I can serve in some way at one of their summer camps. In July, Spirit of Unity will be screening "Billboard from Bethlehem" a documentary showing how peacemaking is being taught in Israel and Palestine.

    Because we have not yet manifested World Peace does not mean that it cannot happen. Where, as the Apostle Paul says, "We shall all be changed in the blink of an eye," Jesus said to the man by the pool, "Do you WANT to be healed." That will be the key to how long it will take. What will it take for us to want to be healed?

    Until that occurs, how can we live with the daily reports of the horrors of war, the political rhetoric, raging emotions and rampant fears? We can establish peace in our minds and hearts. It won't be easy, but it will be well worth it. Ponder the words of Jesus, "What is that to you? Follow me." It does not matter what your religious faith is, following peace and love is always the way to go.

    Author Marlene Schiwy wrote these moving words in her book "Simple Days," "I know I can't prevent war. I can't even protect those I love most from pain or suffering. But I can care for them, make sure they know in their bones how much they are loved. We do what we can."

    If you should feel overwhelmed or helpless, I invite you to consider the words of Canon Farrar, "I am only one:"

    I am only one, but I am one;
    I cannot do everything
    But I can do something.
    What I can do, I ought to do
    And what I ought to do
    By the grace of God, I will do
    .
      


    A Prayer for Peace in a War Torn World

    Sweet, Holy Spirit; Divine Creator of all, reach into our hearts, aching with the pain of war, and comfort them with your love. Fill our minds with the Light of Truth, that all people will one day see the futility of war. Open our eyes to the Truth of our being; that we are all One; one with You, Lord, and One with each other. What affects one, affects the whole. Help us to live our wholeness.

    Protect those who are in battle, on foreign soil, or their own. Soothe their fears and anxiety, heal the wounds of the soul caused by the human aberration we call war. Put the knowledge in their hearts that they are loved and respected, not for what they must do, but for what they are willing to sacrifice to protect the people they love, and live their highest ideals.

    Strengthen those who tend the wounded of body, mind, and soul. Help them to know that they serve as Your hands, and eyes and ears and lips as they work to help their charges heal. May they know the preciousness of their mission, and that they are loved and appreciated for it.

    For those who wait, and pray for the safe return of loved ones from the hell of war, we pray knowing that right now you are easing their stress and anxiety, and their prayers will be strong, affirmative, and faith-filled.

    For the fallen, who have paid the ultimate price we are grounded in Faith that their sacrifice will not go unnoticed in Your eyes. We see them enfolded in Your love and comfort, and filled with the Peace that passes understanding.
    We pray for the timely healing of the hearts and lives of those they left behind, and look forward with anticipation of the day when every tear will be wiped away, and war will be no more. Amen. Sealed in Faith. And so it is.


    Blessed be the Peacemakers
    RevAli


    Peace sign with religious emblems

    Like us on Facebook