Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle  I would like to answer this with a Zen story called Fearlessness:
During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army would quickly sweep into a town and take control. In one particular village, everyone fled just before the army arrived - everyone except the Zen master. Curious about this old fellow, the general went to the temple to see for himself what kind of man this master was. When he wasn't treated with the deference and submissiveness to which he was accustomed, the general burst into anger. "You fool," he shouted as he reached for his sword, "don't you realize you are standing before a man who could run you through without blinking an eye!" But despite the threat, the master seemed unmoved. "And do you realize," the master replied calmly, "that you are standing before a man who can be run through without blinking an eye?" The general leaves, frustrated.
So maybe if someone breaks into your house, don't show any fear, just be. It's a great story, but it took me awhile to fully grasp the meaning. Just think about it. |
That's a wonderful tale.
I'm old enough now to choose non-violence - passive resistance at most. For one thing, my kids are grown. I could imagine myself killing to protect them, 10 to 20 years ago. At that time my belief system differed quite a bit, and though, even then, I would have preferred pacifism, love for my kids would probably throw principles out the window in a life or death struggle.
More than anything, though, I just don't believe I would attract such a situation. I don't identify with fear and terror, and I simply don't feel congruent with being attacked. So, it's easy to choose non-violence when I know it won't ever be an issue.
Life is so much simpler when we recognize that we are all eternal.
Love & Joy