Retaliation : The Absence of True Power
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14 May 2011
Judgment, in the context of self-righteousness, demands punishment, revenge and retaliation. It is blind to compassion, common sense and kindness. The deadly twin bomb attacks in Shabqadar, by the Pakistan Taliban, in retaliation for the elimination of Osama bin Laden, are a horrific display of the insanity of judgment and the appalling harm it causes, not only to the direct victims and their loved ones but to the perpetrators themselves. It is the absence of True Power, not the expression of it.
Judgment is the source of all suffering. It is like a virus which spreads silently throughout mass consciousness. Judgment says my beliefs and behaviours are right, yours are wrong. Each act of judgment, whether of self or others is a denial of your true nature. This was spectacularly demonstrated by the suicide bombers who triggered the blasts. Our innate state of consciousness is unconditional love, which is living in acceptance of all that is, in balance and harmony with all life.
Events in Shabqadar are an extreme example of judgment and retaliation. It operates in our society in more subtle but nonetheless harmful ways. Marriage breakdown and divorce are a good example of this, when access to children is denied and/or delayed to the other spouse, or financial arrangements fought over endlessly. Usually, there is an element of punishment and retaliation in such conduct. Spreading malicious rumours or gossiping about another person, following a perceived slight or other personal offence, is another expression of retaliation. Having sex with someone else to punish a philandering partner, is also punishment and revenge. Other examples of judgment and retaliation are bullying someone you judge weaker than yourself, discriminating against people because of their gender or sexual orientation by denying them a position of employment for which they are qualified. From acts of terrorism to taunting and teasing, retaliation is harmful, not only to the people upon whom it is inflicted it is harmful to self, whether by suicide or eroding self-worth and self-respect.
How often do you find people guilty for their words or actions? How do you respond? Do you retaliate and punish or do you consider your options and take whatever action feels intuitively right to you? The former is to allow yourself to be the servant of your mind and emotions, the latter, the exercise of true power!
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