I’m a pacifist. I have never, at any time, for any reason, believed that killing others to create peace was anything but an impossible scenario. Killing is not a peace generating act.
Whenever I raise this issue, I am usually challenged by someone who asks if the Nazis should have been allowed to continue to kill the Jews in World War II. Wasn’t that war justified? It’s a valid question.
I acknowledge that I don’t know what the alternative to World War II could have been. As a pacifist, I hold my truth that no war is justified.
Of course it’s unacceptable to kill Jews. Or Blacks. Or Hispanics. Or Asians. Or Palestinians. Or indigenous people. Or LGBTQ people. It’s all unacceptable. And yet, it happens. Grievances are addressed with guns, ropes, knives and other weapons. Nations go to war with other nations. Why? What is the real issue?
My Story of Violence & Killing
Have you ever killed a spider? Or a house centipede? Or a cockroach? I have killed all 3 of these creatures on more than one occasion. I’m pleased to say I have fully resolved my relationship with spiders, and it’s been at least 40 years since I’ve laid eyes on a cockroach.
Living in Portugal, house centipedes are my current growth opportunity. I’m pleased to say that last week I chose not to drown one in my kitchen sink, liberating it outdoors instead.
I’ll be honest. House centipedes flip me out. They are lightning fast, they have long antennas, and they’got lots of legs. They like dark, humid environments. They have venom in their front legs that they use to poison and liquefy the organs of the spiders, silverfish and other bugs they consume. They’re actually beneficial in my home! And they flip me out.
I Need Peace
I’m doing my work, people. I don’t believe killing creates peace. So I have to do this work. For my integrity, and for my sense of peace.
Copping to my irrational behavior helps. I truly know better.
I won’t consistently behave better until I own and resolve my violent need to kill these beneficial insects.
I own that the underlying emotion driving my violent behavior is fear.
House centipedes scare me. Their speed unnerves me. Their looks intimidate me. They are not poisonous to me, they won’t melt my organs with their venom, but I feel like if I looked at them crosseyed, they might go after me!
If I allow and focus on my irrational fear, then I am compelled to kill the house centipedes I encounter.
If I own my fear, I can make peace. Peace with my fear. Peace with the house centipedes.
Fear & Hatred Sponsor Killing
What do we know about hatred and fear? They are high velocity, low vibration emotions and energies. High velocity means they stimulate reaction. I see a house centipede, I’m afraid, I’m compelled to take action quickly – to kill it off.
Fear is a moment of profound separation from our connection to All That Is. In this separation, differences are perceived as bad, wrong, unacceptable.
In that separation, my need to be comfortable overrides the centipedes inherent sovereignty and right to exist. Killing house centipedes is motivated by separation, fear and fueled by hate. I have actually said out loud, ‘I hate house centipedes’.
Which means I’m cannot call myself a pacifist. Killing is ok when I deem it so. That’s a hypocrisy I can’t tolerate.
Love & Compassion Cultivate Peace
Will I ever love house centipedes? I doubt it.
Can I cultivate compassion for myself? Absolutely! And for them? Indeed, I can.
House centipedes are doing what they do because it’s who and what they are. They trap and eat bugs, liquefying their organs as they kill them. OK. Fair deal.
Can humans learn to love those they fear? Maybe. Maybe not. Can they cultivate compassion for themselves? Absolutely! And for those they fear and hate? Indeed they can.
An Invitation For You
Take a breath.
Take a moment.
Think about a small creature that you’ve killed (including via professional exterminator).
What is it about that creature that repels you?
What is the underlying emotion that emerges as you think about that creature – in your home, your basement, your garage, your garden?
Can you own your fear?
Can you own your hatred and revulsion?
Can you cultivate compassion for yourself? For that creature?
Does it bring you a measure of peace to do so?
Do you notice a difference in your state of being that’s softer, less rigid, more spacious, more accepting?
Now, look at the world around you.
Who do you fear? Who do you hate?
Can you own your hatred and fear?
Can you cultivate compassion for yourself? For those you hate and fear?
Does it bring you a measure of peace to do so?
Do you notice a difference in your state of being that’s softer, less rigid, more spacious, more accepting?
My practice and daily prayer
This is my practice and my daily prayer. Compassion for myself and other so that I may find peace.
In conclusion, as I listened to an audio today, I was struck by the statement that the idea of world peace is part of what gives the New Agers, the dreamers, the seekers, the spiritually-inclined a bad name, because the collective field holds a cynicism that world peace is unattainable. Therefore, those who meditate, pray, attend or hold conferences with the intention of cultivating peace are unsuccessful in their attempts.
And yet, these people are impelled and compelled by love. And love is a high velocity, high vibration energy. Just ask anyone who attended Woodstock! Hippies with their Make Love Not War slogans were a significant cultural factor behind the ending of the Vietnam War!
Your daily invitation:
Own your hatred and fear. Cultivate compassion for yourself and for ‘other’.
Receive the measure of peace that emerges.
Make it a practice and prayer.
Peace.
