We love war! What? Forgive me, this is news to me. Have I been naïve and uninformed? I have always believed that war, or our response to war, has virtually always been an accident: a disastrous amalgamation of poor leadership, tyrannical power hunger, and tragic bad timing. Not true, according to an article in one of America’s foremost intellectual magazines, Utne Reader (http://www.utne.com), entitled “Why We Love War.” Pacifism and peace are, supposedly, not the opposite of war. They exist in a parallel universe. The opposite of war is “non-war”: a state of ongoing, armed preparedness before the actual act of military aggression. A country with a “standing army” that is constantly being upgraded and improved, and is constantly preparing for war, exists in this state. America exists in a state of non-war, while Sweden’s military is a pure defensive institution. The piece further concludes that war is attractive on many levels. It validates our desire to prove our “strength” as a human being; it reinforces our involvement in the national tribe and, most tellingly, it allows us to psychologically distance ourselves from the petty problems of everyday life: relationship conflict, money, employment, and social status. War places us in a state of “suspended animation.” This may be a partial answer as to why so many veterans cannot reintegrate into civilian life and their attendant homelessness, poverty, drug, and alcohol, addiction. Is this a factor as to why more soldiers commit suicide than are killed in action? (1) All in all, pretty depressing stuff, but not hopeless.

So how do we achieve a state of international peace? Firstly, no country possesses a Ministry of Peace, but virtually every nation contains a Ministry of Defense or of War. Therefore, we must force governments to change their thinking and acknowledge that war is not an intractable concept: it is not a natural part of human life or of physical existence, unlike the act of breathing or of eating. Secondly, we must remove war from its mythical status and tell our children the truth about armed conflict, with all its pain and carnage. The Battle of the Somme in 1916, for example, should have been the end of war as a romantic concept, but it wasn’t. (2) Thirdly, we must realize that the production of the military-industrial complex is not a positive generator of economic growth or employment in our society. (3) It is the exact opposite. Contrary to popular belief, the combatants and their economies in WW I were figuratively and literally on their knees. Without the arrival of the Americans, the war would have been a stalemate. (4) Finally, greed and blind consumerism can only produce envy and want, must be curtailed and, ideally, expunged. War is not a romantic, heroic pastime. It is fraught with coercion and stupidity. Osho leaves us with a thought: There are no heroes or cowards, only those who act (however illogically).

A closing thought: I am much more interested in exploring the world of self- development: physically, spiritually, and psychologically. Our “job” in life is to educate ourselves and then to give back to society. The human tribe includes everyone: the Chechens, the Arabs, the Chinese, the Africans, and the Caucasians. We are all the same; when we bleed, our blood is always the same color: red. Earl Nightingale, a renowned speaker and life coach is a stimulating and thoughtful man who defines success memorably and touchingly. (5) Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) has a memorable quote: Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. (Parts of this essay were first published in 2012)

To sum up: This week, we spoke about the dangers of a war mindset.

To be noted: From Ralph Waldo Emerson — Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.

Just for fun: HAUSER & Caroline Campbell - Czardas

For reflection: Face The Lie You've Been Living | Best Motivational Speech | Jordan B. Peterson

This week on your contemplative walk, please think of your own hopes and dreams.

Every day look for something magical and beautiful

Don’t be a wage slave – critical thinking is great!

Quote: Look to achieve a moment of peace and contemplation every day.

1) US military struggling to stop suicide epidemic among war veterans

2) Battle of the Somme 1916

3) The Military-Industrial Complex is Ruining the Economy

4) Without America’s Help in World War One: Would the Allies have Won?