9th June 2008

Barbara: We’ve been reading the transcript 070926 about co-responsibility for peace or violence in the world. You have spoken about this before. In 4 months we have a presidential election. Of course all of us want world peace, but we differ on our views of how to attain peace, and thus, on which candidate can best lead us there. I certainly am not asking you to endorse a candidate, but can you give us some suggestions of how to best invite this elusive peace we wish to see.

Aaron: I am Aaron. My blessings and love to you. Do you remember years ago, on personal retreat, you stayed at a house with large woods just down the road? There was a troublesome dog who ran out to the road snarling and snapping every time you walked past his house. You wanted to walk in the woods but were afraid of and angry about the dog. So there was desire for the lovely refuge of the woods, and also ambivalence because the dog threatened. You did not know how best to approach the situation.

Should you forget about walking in the woods and avoid the dog? Should you walk past and ignore the dog, hoping he would not attack? Should you confront the dog with angry voice or stick? In the end, you offered statements of metta (loving-kindness) to the dog and yourself as you walked past, knowing that would not guarantee he would not attack. It would only serve to open your heart so you did not have an attitude of self-identity with the fear and anger that arose. This open heart would change your energy so the dog might perceive you differently. And he did. He still snarled at you, but not nearly as fiercely. It also freed you from the unwholesome karma of your antagonism to the dog.

Your human history shows that hatred only engenders hatred. 

As you practiced metta with the dog, you became increasingly conscious of his fear, and of his conditioned reaction to protect his home. In his mind, that home extended far out into the road. You ceased to blame him, and rather, felt compassion for his predicament, for you were a dilemma to him every time you walked past, and he had only one mode with which to react to that dilemma. For you the decision was, first, if you would meet his challenge with belligerence or loving-kindness; for you, it had to be loving-kindness. The next question was how to resolve your own fear. You were aware that the dog reflected your own attitude back to you, at least in part.

Everywhere in your world, there are snarling dogs. These are humans or nations that have been so steeped in the conditioning of fear and reactivity to fear as a show of power and attack, that they have not been able to see any other course of action. Your human history shows that hatred only engenders hatred. Disrespect of others invites fear and hatred. Greed stimulates fear and hatred. Thus, also, does the illusion of separation. If you want world peace, you must explore your reactions to these snarling dogs, each of you personally and as a nation.

Please remember that compassion is strong, and not afraid to say, “No,” but it says it with love, not hatred.

It is not necessary or even useful to begin the investigation on a worldwide level, but is more easily done on a personal level. When there is a snarling dog in your vicinity, how do you relate to it? Certainly the snarl will bring up fear and the question, “Will I be hurt?” Mindfulness attends to the physiological and emotional arisings, seeing how they arose out of the conditions of fear and feelings of threat. That which is aware of fear is not afraid. You train yourself to respond from Awareness, to respond with compassion.