Healing the Great Divide
A line from A Course In Miracles states: "I could choose peace instead of this." When I find myself frustrated with someone else's view of the world I remember this line. I need not convince anyone of anything. Who I am is much more convincing than what I say.
It is easy to see the inconsistencies in many of the prevailing viewpoints of today. Many evangelistic Christians are horrified at abortion but think capital punishment and preemptive attacks on other countries are acceptable. Other "spiritual" people are horrified at the destruction of war but think abortion is acceptable. Both see themselves as valuing life and offering a spiritual perspective. Both see themselves as right. We attack each other's inconsistencies yet fail to acknowledge our own.
Inconsistency doesn't make a viewpoint invalid. Nearly all of us are inconsistent and selectively indignant about what we see as unacceptable. Rather than defending and rationalizing our inconsistencies we could be examining them. The examination needs to come from a place of nonjudgment. As I question my own views on abortion or on war, I need not feel guilty for my point of view. If I participated in war or abortion, I need not feel guilt about it. My participation gives me an up close opportunity to learn and grow.
Let's say that I come to realize that I value life too much to support either of these activities. Having come to this conclusion, is it now my job to convince everyone else? Is it my role to to make sure everyone else feels the way I do? Should I try to make people guilty for what they do? Should I quote scripture and go on a campaign against war and abortion? My thought on this is a definite "No!"I realize that people reading this might be thinking: "War and abortion--there is no comparison here." Some would see abortion as absolutely horrible but war is a reality of life. Others will see war as absolutely horrible but abortion is a woman's choice. If you are thinking one way of the other, I invite you to explore the space in between the polarities. I invite you to rise up above the polarities and see the big picture. I invite you to ask someone who feels differently from you to explain why they feel the way they do, and that you would listen with the goal of completely and compassionately understanding that person.
Does this mean we should not express our opinions? We are free to express our opinions. The deeper questions are: "What is the goal when we express an opinion? How am I seeing this other person when I express my viewpoint? Is it my intention to create healing or is it to dominate the situation with my viewpoint?"Beneath all of our viewpoints and perspectives is something much deeper and profound. There is something much more important than what I believe. People may be impacted by my opinion, but they are more deeply impacted by who I am and how I see them. Do I think I am smarter, more moral, and more spiritual? Do I see this person as stupid, evil, or misled? If so, than I am disconnecting myself from this person. I cannot influence and I cannot heal from a place of disconnection.
We may be arguing about war or abortion, but the more serious issue is the rift between us. It is the disconnection we create by convincing ourselves that because we differ on an issue, that we are separate. In my mind I may divide the world into the red states and the blue states, the right wing and the left wing, the new agers and the fundamentalists, or the people who get it and the people who don't get it. What have I accomplished? In dividing up my world am I a healing presence to myself and others?Life is a process. We are all in process, learning as best we can. I am connected to you because we both have emerged from the same source. We are both learning to express and find joy, each in our own way. I offer you respect and love, but it may not always be gentle. I may call you on your inconsistencies, your judgments, or your behavior because that is what is in the highest interests for all concerned. At the same time, I am willing to be called for my own inconsistencies. I want you to expose my inconsistencies so that I can heal them.
Clubbing people over the head with your opinion, no matter how holy you think it is, usually drives them away. Taking the time to understand another, and to see them as human, draws them closer to you. By honoring your connection you increase the possibilty that another may agree with you. You also increase the possibility that you may find agreement in some of what they say. More importantly, you heal the illusory divide that has been created by your differences. This builds trust and respect, and opens the door to future dialogue.
If you truly are for peace and for life then offer the gifts of peace and life to everyone. Allow yourself to exude life, to radiate peace, and to express deep respect for everyone. In every interaction, your sense of connection allows you to teach and to be taught. In offering peace and well-being to everyone you will cross the great divide into a new and more joyful world.
Related Tags: healing, great, the, divide
William Frank Diedrich is a speaker, executive coach, and the author of Beyond Blaming: Unleashing Power and Passion in People and Organizations. William offers keynotes and workshops on leadership and moving beyond blaming. William also offers an online leadership class and a free e-newsletter, Transformation Times. Learn more about William at http://noblaming.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Unused Power
Ever wondered what would have already been accomplished on this earth if only a handful of people ha - How Horoscope / Astrology Does Affect A Person's Happiness
When we speak about happiness, it reflects on two variations. One as an emotion like being happy or - Using The Internet For God
Do you have a Christian product, service or message that you would like to inexpensively advertise a - Get The Latest Catholic Church Mass Times Now On The Internet
Get to know the Catholic Church Mass Times through the Internet. It is generally obligatory to atten - Horoscope Compatibility For Libra, Capricorn, Sagittarius
According to psychic readings, people under this horoscope signs are somewhat different and somewhat - Know Your Life Through Psychic And Clairvoyance!
Having psychic and clairvoyant readings done from professionals is the best way to know the flaws th - Astrology/horoscopes: Why People Love Astrology
Astrology/horoscopes is the study of celestial body movement. Astrologers believe that the movement - Benny Hinn: India Healing Crusade
Benny Hinn recently conducted a healing crusade in India that drew one of the largest crowds ever. P - Sun, Moon, Ascendants Sign In Birth Chart Wheel
The Ascendant signs or the rising sign - is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the e - Zodiac Sign Gemini And Its Houses Description
Understanding Zodiac is not that difficult at all, determining your reading for the said subject doe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- No Sign in the Prayer Test
The recent release of the Richard Dawkins book, "The God Delusion", has brought renewed accusations - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences Array (2) the Bees
Before dealing with the topic of the Bees in Quran versus Bible versus sciences, it is mandatory to - Understanding the Heart
(If you wish to more benefit from this article, please read first our "The Alems" titled article. - Christian Dating vs Courtship
Over the past decade, or so, It's become popular in modern churches to use the concept of courtship - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences, Array (19) the Birds
The issues concerning the Birds in the Bible are:1) The Birds are Detestable and intolerable, 2) The - Starting the Wealth Process
Luke 6:38 KJV Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken togethe - Dissolving the Illusion of Fear
Webster defines fear as unpleasant emotions cause by expectation or awareness of danger. However, - Crossing Paths with a Whistleblower
Mordechai Vanunu grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home but abandoned the faith by his mid teens. He bec - Conspiracy Madness
In connection with the WTC disaster there are conspiracy theories that have been proposed. Such as t - How You Dream Your World Into Existence
Reality is not real. It is a dream. This is not a metaphorical statement. On the quantum level of