Living with global conflict

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I was recently asked by an artist how I deal with the issues and conflict occurring on a global level – in particular, the events happening awhile ago in East Timor. Looking at this article, I see its still appropriate for today too.

In the world that we hear about via the media, it is easy to get sucked in to the global consciousness, which in a large way, is generated by fear. I think it is even more difficult to remain emotionally detached when we are creative, as the creative process involves opening our hearts to receive our inspiration. When our hearts are open, we are naturally more vulnerable to the suffering of others. I know from experience, that if I allow myself to identify with the pain of others that I see in the daily news, I find myself in a downward spiral that pulls me quite quickly into despair. Then all I can see is the negative and find it hard to return to balance.

I am learning to watch the news (and interact with others) by remaining emotionally detached from their suffering. This is not to say I am not empathetic and the hurt I do feel I silently turn into a prayer for their healing.

It helps me to remember that we are all souls created by the Godforce. And the Godforce has created each of us to experience Itself uniquely through each individual soul. And as such, we each have a unique experience of life itself. When I see souls suffering – such as in East Timor at the moment – I remind myself that this is an experience that they have on some level chosen to work through. Maybe their soul is learning to acknowledge difference in other people. Maybe they are working out years of anger and suffering, by fighting their brothers and sisters. Maybe they are coming to a realisation that there are more ways of settling conflict than killing and maiming. Maybe it is for us to learn compassion. Whatever the reason is, (and it could be different for each soul, as well as an experience that those in East Timor are experiencing collectively) it is happening in divine perfection.

It is important to remember as well that the underlying reality of all things is Loving Consciousness. And when I am feeling despairing that this world is ever going to become a peaceful loving place for all, I remember that the Universe wants us to be happy, whole and complete. When we are consciously working with the Godforce, we can see our dark side and bring it to the light by acknowledging it, healing it and deciding to act differently in future. We become aware of our thoughts and feelings and use them as a compass that points us in the direction of true happiness. We take our lives into our own hands – we become responsible – as aspects of the Godforce – and moment by moment choose to act as such. But there are many people on the planet who are not aware and have to play out their dark sides by projecting them onto the world and others around them. They have to painfully come to terms with themselves by acting out their fears. This is what is happening now.

I cannot heal the whole world. I cannot personally alleviate the suffering of those in other countries. But I can pray. I can send light and love to those who are in pain. And I can make a difference in my own life. I can use the suffering of others as a reminder of the power that we do have within us. The power of the Godforce that is waiting for us all to join It consciously and find true peace, happiness and abundance. That is where my power is. That is what I can do to help my brothers and sisters who are suffering. And I can also use my voice. My unique way is by writing inspirations and articles. And from time to time working with others face to face.

Only you know what your particular power is to bring this world to peace. To the lady asking the question, I feel, it is in her music and her words – to inspire others. For others it could be to take a stand. Others may feel the need to write to governments. For us all, I would suggest we work as aspects of the Godforce, and not act as victims of ‘the world out there’. The more of us who do so, the sooner the collective consciousness of the planet will make the shift we are all waiting for. As the Hopi Elders said, "We are the ones we have been waiting for".

One cause of conflict is judgement in a relationship. This relationship can be between two people, two countries, two ‘tribes’ within one country, or even two belief systems within one person. It starts when one person (nation, etc) sees the other as being wrong, less than, better than, or whatever. Now it’s one thing to be discerning and notice differences – and even take steps to avoid what you don’t like. There’s no point being tied down to a ditherer if you’re trying to achieve a goal quickly. But you don’t have to make the ditherer wrong. You just have to acknowledge that you want someone who can pick up the pace. Now the ditherer may be able to work more quickly, and if you think it’s worth it, have a chat with them. If not, go on your way, or send them on theirs in as amicable way as possible and get someone else who fits the bill.

What often leads to conflict is when one person makes the other person wrong and wants to change them, imprison them, convert them, throw them out of their own country or obliterate them. I’m not talking here about what to do with a person who has committed a serious crime – that’s what democratic legal systems have been set up for. I’m talking about plain intolerance.

The Godforce created us all as individuals. Like snowflake crystals, no one is like another. Our fingerprints are different. Our body shapes are different (tell that to the fashion industry). And our viewpoints of life are different. And it’s with this difference that the trouble often starts. For some strange reason, most of us have bought into the belief that we must all think alike, dress alike, worship the same name of God, want the same things and vote for the same party.

You see it, for example, in the corporate sector. Try attending a high-powered board meeting wearing a leafy-green flowing dress with your hair braided with feathers and see how much credence they give your ideas. No matter whether you’re a man or a woman. You might not even make it through the door to the boardroom. You may not even get through the revolving doors on the ground floor. Why? Because you will have been judged. As a flake, or someone who’s a militant or a greenie. The name won’t be important, but they’ll more than likely decide you’re someone who’s bound to unsettle the status quo. Some will ridicule you. Some will avoid you like a leper. Others will feel so threatened, they will react in anger. "Good God." They’ll say. "What on earth is that doing here? It’s polluting our nice sanitised atmosphere. Threatening the very fibre of society. It should be put down. Get rid of it at once." And you’ll get carted away, probably by the nice boys in blue. If you’re lucky, you’ll get away with an injunction against you. If you’re not, you may end up in jail for being a troublemaker. And all because you have a penchant for brainstorming in green cheesecloth.

Now I exaggerate. Or do I? I recently noticed a group of teenagers walking down a street in the business district of my local city. All they were doing was having a good time. They walked with a relaxed air, joked in naturally raised voices (other than the reserved air that accompanies a lot of adults in public), and crossed the road several feet away from the ‘little green flashing man’ at the traffic lights. As I watched this jovial young group, I noticed how the other adults on the street reacted to them. Fear flashed across more than one face and several actually changed their route to avoid walking by them. And all these young people were doing was enjoying a day out. That, I thought, was a bit of a serious concern when you looked at what it represented. Have we become so programmed that we see "different" as "dangerous"?

Suppose one body is made the authority on cheese making and a law is passed where everyone else has to comply with their standards and recipe. All other types of cheese are wrong, not good for you and are hereby prohibited. It might work for a while. It might actually be nice and cosy for a while only eating cheddar. You might even be relieved that the responsibility for making a decision has been taken out of your hands. Now you don’t have to agonise over whether Mildred and Frederick would like to round off your three course meal with something herby or something smelly. You just have to ask for half a kilo of cheese. But after a while the old palate will get a bit bored and crave a lovely creamy bit of Port Salut, or mouth awakening Stilton to go with that ten year old Tawny Port you’ve had stashed away in the wine cellar (cupboard). So you write to the cheese body and ask for some variety. You get a terse reply saying that it’s got nothing to do with you and like what you get. You ask around and discover everyone’s getting a bit cheesed off with the lack of choice (sorry, I couldn’t resist that pun). All except for the cheese-haters. But they’re a weird bunch anyway. They can’t see what all the fuss is about and try and convert you to pepperoni. You decide to avoid them in future. You get a petition signed by the cheese-lovers and try that. No luck. People start to get a bit disillusioned with the cheese body and campaign outside the government house. Some even manage to smuggle some Wensleydale in from the neighbouring country. A black market starts. Then one day, the government sends its army against you because it discovered you and your friends having illicit cheese parties. They try and force you to become cheddar orientated, torturing your family members as leverage….

Look, you can see what I’m getting at. The cheese example is obviously wacky, but at the end of the day, what’s the difference between freedom of choice for cheese and anything else? Heaven forbid you get punished for liking Brie. Or even cheddar for that matter. If you’re not hurting anyone by the choices you make, go for it, that’s my motto. And let everyone else do the same. Why else would the Godforce have given each of us different desires and talents to the next person? Variety. It’s the spice of life. Mother Nature is more diverse than we could ever comprehend. We could all learn about letting go of judgement from Her. Monkeys with blue bottoms live quite happily on the same planet as big furry slow things with tiny heads that take an eternity to climb trees – sloths. They don’t try and annihilate each other – they just get on with it.

So let’s let go of the judgement and the fear. If we were all the same we’d drop dead of boredom anyway. Let’s instead be bold and get into the acceptance of difference. It’s a challenge in the face of an unknown quantity, but that’s what curiosity is for. And who knows, what you saw yesterday as something to shun, you might be craving to experience tomorrow. Stranger things have happened. Live and let live today, and tomorrow we’ll live in peace. Now that is something that gets my vote. What about you?

Copyright © 2006 Aannsha Jones