Fear Or Love (you Decide)

[Bob]

Well spoken, SJ. :scratch: HMMM, reading this particular thread, it appears SoWal hath evolved much during my absence. Interesting comments and perspectives all of the way around.

Is it possible that we are here to find and master the balance between thse two "polar opposites" in our lives? Certainly there is a time for aggressive action while concurrently there is also a time for peace.

We all have the ability to create or destroy. The difference between the two is a very fine line. Sitting around doing meditations and chants while someone is busting down your door with a gun to harm your family is not a realistic. That is unless you want that which you love to be harmed or destroyed. Such a circumstance would call for appropriate action to counter that force seeking to harm.

Likewise, living in aggression, or a constant aggressive state of mind also upsets the balance and can cause you to bring harm to yourself and that which you cherish by being aggressive when it is not called for.

I can see both 6th Gen's perspective as well as Lightworker's. It appears you both desire the same fundamental thing at the core: To have a safe environment and to protect that which you love and hold dear. You are just choosing a different method to accomplish the same root goal. Both methods, ironically can be appropriate at any given particular time, depending upon the circumstance.

It seems wisdom is called for to know when to apply either one, and to what extent. It is about being balanced. Just my humble perspective.

PS If any of you have ever learned how to master it, please tell me how. I have found in my own personal experience it is far easier said than done in the real world.

Lightworker's perspective is the way to realistically conduct your life 99+ percent of the time. The absence of fear and aggression is not weakness, but strength. You can live most of your life in this great country by walking around, not through those who prefer the dark side.

 

[LightWorker]

...but not unlike the death penalty in a country which states that it is wrong to kill, defending one's loved ones or possessions with deadly force is basically doing to them what we don't want done to us. Don't get me wrong. I am a weak man. If someone comes threatening me or my loved ones with deadly force, or threats of such nature, you can rest assured that I am ready and willing to die to fight for my loved ones and my own self, and will not think twice about using deadly force. I am simply noting that not everyone is willing to return "justice" to those who threaten. I believe Jesus would say that if killing is wrong, the reason why someone kills is no excuse for the act. I cannot ride that wave right now, but I imagine that once a person attains that level of being, where he can defend without wanting to inflict harm in retaliation, he is at peace with the world.

Nothing about you is weak SJ. You are a very kind man.

Lightworker's perspective is the way to realistically conduct your life 99+ percent of the time. The absence of fear and aggression is not weakness, but strength. You can live most of your life in this great country by walking around, not through those who prefer the dark side.

Thank you Bob...You touched my heart.

 

[LightWorker]

There have always been warring tribes, cities, states, etc. Then world wars, & now competing nations that possess nuclear weapons, but because of MAD (mutually assured destruction), sponsor or start regional wars. And now we have terrorists who seek the worst weapons, & more nations that possess them.

But we also have an emerging world culture, for the first time ever. Largely through the Internet, the people of the whole world are sharing thoughts & feelings directly. And most people prefer peace to war, & will promote that peace -- with freedom & love for our fellow human beings.

It is time for a new beginning. I once heard a singer say in an interview, "Either we will have a Golden Age, or nothing at all."

According to Pitirim Sorokin, in _Social & Cultural Dynamics_, in a period of time in ancient China, there were several centuries of peace. So where there is a feeling of solidarity in a stable culture, peace is more than possible on a large scale.

In our new world culture, it is a true necessity. And deeper than governments, our culture -- our worldwide sharing of values -- is the key our planet's future. It is in our hands & hearts. As we make that creative effort, we receive God's Grace... And peace on Earth will finally dawn.

"Love is the key to everything." ~ Meher Baba

Ocean breeze....thank you for all the love you have shared with everyone.

 

[Bob]

Speak softly, but keep the big stick in the same zip code.

 

[Ocean breeze]

[I am certainly not advocating or excusing violence, aggression or fear. There are times, however when balanced action is required to be taken to stop those who choose to use violence, aggression and fear to harm and destroy others. (Like Hitler)

Again this is just my humble perspective. We must seek to live a peaceful life first and foremost and then remain in balance when action is necessary to protect that which we love. Also key is our motivation for taking action. It must not be done out of hatred, but simply done out of love to counteract the negative force.[/quote]


I like your last two paragraphs there. They limit the use of violence in a balanced way, as in fighting crime on a smaller scale.

But in the spirit of freedom & love, we should go further to prevent the need for that violence. We should promote peace with foresight, in the context of human rights everywhere, more & more.

 

[Ocean breeze]

Speak softly, but keep the big stick in the same zip code.

Got it!

 

[SON]

I like the Love Part

lightworker ,

Creation.... Maintenance....Annihilation


Everything in this world is subject to these three things


The goal is to keep them in balance

 

[LightWorker]

I like the Love Part

lightworker ,

Creation.... Maintenance....Annihilation


Everything in this world is subject to these three things


The goal is to keep them in balance

Reminds me of... (Rage Against The Machine)

 

[SON]

Maybe they read the Bhagavad Gita

 

[Kurt]

..... We see it in nature all of the time. Just try going near a momma moose with her calf, or a momma bear with her cubs. (No thanks). Chances are you won't come back alive, or at a minimum with all of your limbs intact. ....

.....because as a species / race we collectively tend towards destruction and fear in the first place. ....

I used to believe that myself but have begun to think differently lately. The Dalai Lama makes a persuasive argument that compassion is the true nature of humans, rather than aggression or fear. Part of his argument is the love a mother has for her child, and a child for its mother. It's interesting that you brought up a mother's protectionism.

A mother's love is something almost everyone on the planet is blessed to experience. It's a perfect way to come into this world. Without it we would all be doomed.

Perhaps compassion is our default mode rather than fear. Although I can sure understand why it might be hard for people in modern society to have a different perspective.