War or Peace-What's the Vision

A discussion on the conflict in the Middle East recently raised questions in my mind about the seemingly endless amount of time it takes to resolve disputes through war, especially where there are substantial cultural differences. I had to ask myself, 'if war works so well, why does it never end?'

I don't think anyone would deny someone or even a country the right to defend itself. If push comes to shove, as the saying goes, one must take care of oneself. Israel has always fought powerfully and decisively against any and all attacks during the last 60+ years. The United States has done the same when attacked and has been extremely helpful to Israel, and others, as well.

Here's a link to some war statistics for the 20th Century, though it actually includes the period from 1860 to the present, just 150 years. http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/massacre.html . It shows that war has been a nearly pervasive fact of life since record keeping began. In fact, there has never been a year in the last 150 without war going on somewhere. The conservative estimate of the number of casualties of war is over 160 million people during this period. This figure doesn't take into account the countless millions who were wounded, physically or emotionally, nor the economic costs of war. We could look at estimates of casualties from wars throughout recorded history but for sake of space and time, it's pretty clear that war is devastating, is not new and it doesn't appear to be easing up any time soon. These facts and figures also lend support to the ideas that war is either inevitable or at the least, strongly believed to be so by most of mankind.

When there are at least a million people a year dying in war, year after year throughout centuries, isn’t it about time we ask ourselves how well is this working out? Are we realizing the pinnacle of our potential as the stewards of this planet, or is it time to look deeper for other strategies which may demonstrate that war is not inevitable, or that could be more effective than war in helping us accomplish our true goals?

First, I would suggest that a fresh look at our true goals as a people and planet is urgently needed. In the past, perhaps our view of the necessity of looking out for the planet as a whole was less important when we were in the rubbing sticks together to make fire stage, or even up to the fairly recent development of electricity, automobiles, and other mass conveniences. We’ve come a long way now in terms of being able to take care of basic needs, and even sophisticated needs like what movies to go to, what beer to drink and what sports to watch. Suddenly we are looking up and realizing our air and water are polluted, our energy sources appear to be threatening us with extinction and our self-created means of mass destruction have never been more lethal. Holy Annihilation Batman!

As an example of something that could be viewed as a potential planetary goal i.e. nations choose to support the idea and work toward it's fulfillment, could be to maintain our planet/home as a rich and healthy organism with freedom to live and love for it's inhabitants.  Perhaps these goals might further necessitate that humankind must find ways to resolve issues and conflicts peacefully, as the destruction of the physical planet and it's inhabitants would no longer be a viable option. What outcomes could emerge as a result of pouring our energies and efforts in this direction?

If our goals were aimed in a higher direction such as this, these and other questions would be raised and become self-evident such as what would peace look like? Would it include such things as the feeling of freedom that comes from knowing that healthy and clean air, food, water and shelter are available? How about the knowing that habitats are protected and mankind is doing everything it can to assure this to be so? Would it include the knowing that educational and employment opportunities are available? Would it include an uplifting sense that, because mankind has a clear goal to maintain peace in the world, decisions are being made which step down the preparation for war rather then accelerating a warring environment through plowing resources into the invention of an endless array of new weaponry? This is just a glimpse of the course I believe life on this planet would take if we were clear that our top priorities included the maintenance of health and peace on earth.

In addition to setting new and clear goals and priorities for our planet, it appears clear that there is a need to better understand how the basic principals of creation work on earth. It has been said that humans do not come with a handbook. Perhaps this is so, but I believe we have enough knowledge from observation and personal experience to understand some basics, such as the Golden Rule or ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.  Other societies believe strongly in Karma, the Law of Cause and Effect. Biblical texts advise, ‘As you sow, so shall you reap’. Some refer to the Laws of Human Creation or Principals of Manifestation. Some say simply, ‘What goes around comes around’. What if these ideas are more then just friendly advice, but the deepest reflection of how we, as humans, are designed and function? If we realize and accept that our words, thoughts, actions and deeds return in like words, thoughts, actions and deeds, it stands to reason that putting out positive, uplifting vibrations, so to speak, would be an important act of self-interest, and even national interest.

If we extend this awareness to the idea of war, we can see that if we send out war, we will receive more war. Looking at the huge list of wars just in the 20th Century, it appears to validate the theory that mankind is begetting wars faster then our Biblical forefathers begat children. What if we individually and collectively said, that’s enough, let’s stop this type of shipment of energy into the world? Let's deliver words, actions and deeds which promote our top priorities such as peace on a healthy planet?

A friend of mine likens war to the need of surgeons to remove cancerous limbs. Sometimes that may be necessary, however, doctors are now finding that merely cutting out cancer does not necessarily cure the disease. In many cases, they are finding it is essential to look at the state of imbalance in the body and provide nutritional elements, or basics, that have been deprived. Upon doing so, and attending to other important human basics such as restoring emotional and mental balance, healing tends to occur.

To test these ideas in the context of conflicts such as in the Middle East, or wherever they may be occurring, I believe we must ask ourselves two basic questions which go to the heart of human need and interaction. First, are we fulfilling our fundamental goals for planetary health and wellness in our provision for the needs and rights of all people associated with the conflict? Second, do our actions align with our realization that promoting the well-being of all on our planet will promote our own well-being due to the nature of the how the energy of consciousness flows, returning like for whatever we are presenting? I believe that if we address these two fundamental questions honestly and with sincere action, we will soon find that war as an option and action will fade from the planet.

See The Good and Let It Ride

There are so many choices of events, circumstances and opportunities competing for our attention. It would be easy to define some negative ones and it seems like it should be just as easy to define some positive ones. To me, the opportunity for national health care for all is a long-time dream and shows me that our nation is beginning to value the good of all as much as the needs of the fittest. One prominent Republican says it will bankrupt our nation. Seems to me, leaving 30-40 million people uninsured had already left us in a state of moral bankruptcy. It’s good to see us begin to climb out of it.

The streamlined student loan program appears likely to help millions of students with financing challenges to get an education and save $68 billion in middleman charges that weren’t adding any particular value to the equation. Is this going to shift some jobs? Of course, but there will be rosier times at the Universities and therefore new jobs created. As well as bringing brilliant new minds to work on our old problems. Sounds like a formula for success.

Phoenix received record rains this year and there has been very little conversation about the drought and it’s potentially drastic effects on our area. Water is flowing in the desert and may have the effect of making Phoenix more desirable to new businesses and individuals who had worries about the sustainability of the area. I sense an oasis in the making.

Buzz Aldrin has done senior citizens and military heroes even prouder by showing his versatility and willingness to put himself on the line for the pure fun of Dancing with Stars. He was one of the original moonwalkers and I think it was almost as momentous a piece of history to see him do his version of the Moonwalk on the show. What a wonderful thing to step out beyond the usual definition of who most people thought he was to show this other side. I am sure it was not really necessarily for a world class hero to risk embarrassment at this stage of his life. That was obviously not to big a concern and his level of enjoyment was infectious to millions who enjoyed watching him.

It’s safe to say that while there are world problems and concerns, it feels healthier to find the good and emphasize it. Every day there are countless examples that can be found in our personal lives and even our news media, which hasn’t been known for being particularly positive. If the world reflects our thinking, as many are now realizing, it pays to invest time in finding the positive and not to look so diligently for the negative. Perhaps sooner rather than later the world may end up looking pretty darn good.