Tag: peace

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Simple forgiveness

There is much wrong with the world and a lot of conflict. Ukraine and Russia, Trump, and drones sighted above Europe. It all indicates that a lasting solution is required.

The best solution I can come up with, upon reflection, is simple forgiveness.

In the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, how to face death is with forgiveness. As a person dies, they often regret much in their life and feel guilt.

If a person is dying, focus on their positive attributes and forgive them.

If it is your own death, you are facing, focus on forgiving anyone who has wronged you.

But the most powerful and succinct way to forgive is the Fourfold Steps to Forgiveness. This is outlined in Desmond Tutu’s book on forgiving, written with his daughter.

After apartheid came to an end in South Africa, there was much hatred between the black and white peoples who called the country their home.

Desmond’s daughter had a member of her household murdered in the family home, where they both lived.

And so the fourfold path was born.

  1. Tell the story and context of the hurt.
  2. Tell why it hurts.
  3. Forgive
  4. Release or renew the relationship.

This means that the two parties can separate,  unburdened by the hurt. Or they can renew their relationship and move forward into a better future, with wisdom.

Forgiveness does not mean the person or party who caused the harm goes unpunished. It means that you believe that they have a conscience and it’s their conscience they need to appease. It’s a belief in the goodness of all creation.

Forgiveness is the key to transcending the hurt and conflict in the world. As individuals we can make a lasting difference, if Forgiveness is the path we choose to tread.

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Healing relationships

Relationships form a delicate web across the globe. From dolphins and their interactions with each other to the role ants play in keeping the cycles of a rainforest turning, to the big human cities, we are all inter-related.

On a personal level, these relationships exist between members of a family, colleagues in a business and all kinds of social arenas.

So we may as well get along.

When a hurt has been witnessed by a relationship, three options lie available.

We can tear ourselves apart and continue at war with each other. This follows the “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” logic. But this just causes more conflict.

Or we can liberate ourselves from this cycle. There are two options branching out of this. We can choose to stay and repair, like with a family member we love dearly.

Or we can choose to walk away.

With any decision, it must be made with a wise heart. At the end of the day, we’re the ones who are left to live with our decisions.

Let’s choose peace. Let’s choose to live in a world with out violence and war.

Let’s choose to embrace the goal of healing our relationships.

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ANZAC day, a personal approach

Last year, on ANZAC day, I wrote about the dark side of this event in the Australian calendar.

You can read it here: http://ANZAC Day's Dark Secret

In response to these thoughts, rather than attend the War Memorial Services, I’m creating a more personal approach.

Instead of listening to stories designed to whip up the Patriotic spirit, I’ve chosen to light a candle. With the candle keeping me company, I sit and dwell on all the reasons why war is not the best way to win at anything.

Not only do I consider war in the context of the ANZACs, but I also spend some time soul searching for when I’ve instigated war and conflict within my own life.

The solution, if it cannot be found in the wider world, can be found at home with oneself. And for that to happen, it’s important to take time out from the busyness of society and look towards one’s own life and impact upon others.

What thoughts do you have on how to cease war?

What personal stand are you making in order to create a more peaceful world?