The violence of a divided self, a divided nation, a divided world… An ideal way
The Declaration of Independence is a wonderful illustration/reflection of the sublimity and nobility of ego-view and the violence attendant with living within it. The conundrum of ego-view, the Gordian knot, the quintessential paradoxical dilemma of human existence is the way divine inspiration gets co-opted in service of ego-view. Is it possible for 8 billion individuals to live without violence?
The 350 million citizens of the United States of America can’t seem to get along, though they share the goals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Even as we reduce the size of groups to a thousand or a hundred, violence seems to be a continual fly in the ointment.
As we reflect on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, let us ponder what in us contributes to violence.
Violence is not merely killing another. It is violence when we use a sharp word, when we make a gesture to brush away a person, when we obey because there is fear. So violence isn’t merely organized butchery in the name of God, in the name of society or country. Violence is much more subtle, much deeper, and we are inquiring into the very depths of violence.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti, The Kingdom of Happiness
The very activity of seeking peace is antithetical to peace just as the pursuit of happiness is antithetical to actually being happy. We do not seek what we have. When we’re happy, when we’re at peace, when we are fulfilled – we have it – we are that, in thought, word, and deed. We aren’t trapped in ego-view, which is always seeking from a “not-having” place.
The Depths of Violence
Spiritual people can be some of the most violent people you will ever meet. Mostly, they are violent to themselves. They violently try to control their minds, their emotions, and their bodies. They become upset with themselves and beat themselves up for not rising up to the conditioned mind’s idea of what it believes enlightenment to be. No one ever became free through such violence. Why is it that so few people are truly free? Because they try to conform to ideas, concepts, and beliefs in their heads. They try to concentrate their way to heaven. But Freedom is about the natural state, the spontaneous and unselfconscious expression of beingness. If you want to find it, see that the very idea of a someone who is in control is a concept created by the mind. Take one step backward into the unknown. – Adyashanti, author of The End of Your World
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are two of the great achievements and expressions of the quest for fair governance for all. The difficulty, the challenge, is that the pursuit reinforces the idealization of separateness and individualism. Autonomy and individual expression are not antithetical to liberty and peace, but the dynamic created by the conviction of separateness – us versus them – is. US versus THEM compounds exponentially when combined with scarcity-based thinking.
Was there ever a world without troubles? Your being as a person depends on violence to others. Your very body is a battlefield, full of the dead and dying. Existence implies violence. There is little of non-violence in nature. Do you realize that, as long as you have a self to defend, you must be violent? – Nisargadatta, I AM THAT
What is it like to experience the violence of inner division? All we need do is go to a public space and observe people until we feel rejection or aversion toward an individual. Then instead of focusing on them or the cascade of our thoughts, we attend to what is happening in us. The more openly and intimately we experience phenomenology, the more potential for understanding.
Hatred does not necessarily lead to violence. It is unacknowledged hatred that leads to violence! – Alan Watts
We might think that observing the two political parties in the United States would give us some insight into collective ego – yes, but deeper, more subtle insight can be gained by exploring the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution – and even deeper insight by looking into the ideals they are based upon. And even more, insight if we explore the notion and consequences and implications of – IDEAL.
This brings us to striving – the pursuit of…
To the extent that we live from the perspective of trying to find fulfillment, or from trying to get better, we live in an empty world. When you are seeking, you separate your consciousness, your soul, from your being, from your source, so that your whole perception then is perception devoid of being. Regardless of what you acquire or achieve, you are poverty-stricken because you are operating from an impoverished perspective. In this situation, you can only perpetuate your impoverished point of view. That seeking, by its nature, is a movement away from the fullness of reality and the source of pleasure, peace, or whatever is so feverishly being sought. Reality can’t be reached by seeking; you do not see it because you are seeking for something else. Whatever you are seeking, it could seem more and more refined, or closer to the truth, or closer to fulfillment, but none of this will make a difference. It is the activity of seeking that matters; no matter what you seek, this activity is the same. – A. H. Almaas, Diamond Heart Book Four: Indestructible Innocence
Part of what these five enlightened souls point to is that our living and expression of life are influenced by the latency of violence in our ego-view.
On this Independence Day – OH, say can we see???
FAQ
Q: What does “violently blind” mean?
A: “Violently blind” refers to being unaware or ignorant of one’s limitations, biases, or prejudices and acting in harmful or detrimental ways to oneself or others.
Q: How does being “violently blind” affect one’s pursuit of life?
A: Being “violently blind” can hinder personal growth and self-awareness, leading to missed opportunities for personal development and happiness.
Q: How does being “violently blind” affect one’s pursuit of liberty?
A: When individuals are “violently blind,” they may fail to recognize and address the societal structures or personal barriers that limit their freedom and autonomy.
Q: How does being “violently blind” affect one’s pursuit of happiness?
A: Being “violently blind” can prevent individuals from truly understanding their desires, needs, and values, leading to a misguided pursuit of happiness. It may result in choices not aligned with one’s authentic self, causing dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment.
Q: Can you give examples of being “violently blind”?
A: Examples of being “violently blind” can include being unaware of one’s prejudices or biases, refusing to acknowledge or listen to different perspectives, and holding rigid beliefs that limit personal growth and understanding. It can also involve ignoring or denying one’s emotions or needs, leading to internal conflict and unhappiness.
Q: How can one overcome being “violently blind”?
A: Overcoming being “violently blind” requires cultivating self-awareness and an openness to learning and growth. This can be achieved through practices such as introspection, mindfulness, seeking diverse perspectives, and being willing to challenge and question one’s beliefs and assumptions.
Q: What is the Diamond Approach, Sacramento Folsom?
A: The Diamond Approach Sacramento Folsom is a website and community that explores and offers teachings from the Diamond Approach, a spiritual path that integrates psychological understanding with spiritual wisdom.