“The Buddha declares, ‘Enraged with hate, with mind ensnared, humans aim at their own ruin and at the ruin of others.’” (Jack Kornfield, https://jackkornfield.com/nature-hate/ )

Yes, the world is suffering. Armed conflicts are raging in the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine, Africa, South America, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. But there’s another war going on: the fight for our humanity. This war uses the thirst for power over others as its weapon. The leaders use fear, intimidation, and chaos as their tools. Leaders strive to humiliate others, especially those who disagree. Our human gift of care for others is slowly seeping away.

Today, disagreements quickly dissolve into rage, and rage morphs into hatred on all sides. When hatred takes over, we all lose; for hatred, like war, is an insidious foe. Hatred is energizing; it focuses us. It seduces us with the sense of power, fueled by a self-righteous voice that shouts, “I am right, you are wrong!” Too often, “wrong” morphs into “evil”. When I’m caught in hatred, the emotional intensity only adds to the chaos. I can no longer think clearly, or make wise decisions. Hatred takes an enormous toll on the human nervous system, interrupts sleep and easily becomes addictive.

Words matter. Words shape beliefs. Beliefs fuel action. Day by day, tensions are flaring, people are tired and angry. The potential for violence is escalating.

In the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment guarantees the precious gift of free speech. Too often today we are squandering this gift under the illusion that free speech means, “I can say anything I want and you can’t touch me!” Not true.

The First Amendment urges us to care for our language. If all we’re doing is pouring more hatred into the common well, we’re making the situation worse, not better. Can we speak plainly, clearly, without a message of hate?

I think we can. But when I am filled with rage, I need to pause, turn my focus away from the other and toward myself. What is going on inside me that fuels my emotional intensity toward the other? 

In most situations, deep fear and a sense of helplessness lurk beneath rage and hate. Sometimes, the present situation triggers deep feelings associated with historical events. If that happens, I acknowledge the past wounding and remind myself that past events were then. Today’s events are now and they are different, separate and unique.

Next, I engage some questions, like: “Why am I speaking? What am I trying to accomplish? Do my words help the situation? Or do my words create more noise, adding to the problems rather than helping resolve them? How can I use my speech to help create a better vision for our society?” Tending to this self-exploration process allows me to engage current situations with a clearer mind and less emotional entanglement. Let us care for our freedom of speech, not take it for granted. 

It helps to remember that my anger is also a sign that I care. I care about the country, our people, and want all of us to thrive. I suspect readers of this blog care too! Self-reflection is like a re-wiring process. It takes time and practice for new wires to form. But new wires will emerge. 

There’s a well-known exchange in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus says:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”   (Luke 6:41-42, New International Version) 

(This is a rare example of words attributed to Jesus that appears not only here, but almost verbatim in the Gospel of Matthew 7:3-5, New International Version.)

Jesus, like Buddha before him, taught that the path of non-violence is the antidote to hate. And that it demands that we engage parts of ourselves we do not want to face. Jesus says:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” (Matthew 5:38-40, New International Version)

The language of “God” goes by lots of other names in religious and spiritual traditions around the world. Regardless of the language used, people commonly believe in an energetic reality that propels humanity toward wisdom. Cynthia Bourgeault * says:

“We are still under the loving hand of our Common Father, and the marching orders have not changed: to live and establish ourselves in alignment with the highest benchmarks of what we know human beings are capable of: courage, commitment, compassion, forgiveness, conscience, integrity. To simply keep walking toward these, arm and arm if at all possible, for there the force of individual integrity is vastly magnified.”  (From her website: cynthiabourgeault.org )

AMEN!

* Cynthia Bourgeault is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader. She dedicates herself to studying and teaching universal Wisdom traditions while firmly planting her faith in Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Families often gather in November and December to celebrate various holidays. These gatherings can be especially challenging when political views clash.

~ When discussions with loved ones become heated, how can you reduce the tension? 

~ How do you process the intensity of your emotional reactions during these chaotic times?

~ What brings you a sense of rest during the day? (For example, listening to or playing music, meditation, artwork, going out for walks, practicing Yoga, taking a nap)

Please offer any comments or questions in response to this post.