All war does is prove who has the biggest gun. I have long said that if there has to be a war, fight it on a chess board! But it always seems to be that the actual killing of boys and girls, who really don't wish to be in the battle, is more fun for the so-called leaders of nations. If they think battle is necessary, have them fight life or death battles, face to face. But of course that won't happen, nor will their children or grand children be involved in the battle. I especially hate the propaganda and brain washing dished out to justify mass killing.
I am also very certain you will take heat for writing this kind of article, but, I once told you, I'd rather you serve people than shoot people, and I am so proud of you!
This pieces was really moving. I am not from the US, and my country doesn't have any war power at all, although the first thing the government decided to do in the first days of our republic, was to annihilate the native population. It's a very sad thing, and of course I wasn't even close to be born when it happened, but still, a very sad thing that we all need to rethink and rewrite. Who are we? Are we the sons and daughters of the mass murderers, are we the descendants of the survivors, are we a mix of both? I know I am. And it's really sad.
Back to your piece, I find it so incredible that some people would ignite themselves. To take their precious lives like that, and for what? Do people know about them? Do people care? Do people remember? Is it worthy? It breaks my heart to think of these people doing these things, just for this genocide to continue and most people not even caring about it.
There's a lot more to discuss. A lot. I sigh. I don't know how to continue.
We have to remember these people and we must look deeper than our current modern understanding of what is right and what is wrong allows. Without understanding the views held by mahayana practitioners, these acts seem violent and crazy. Indeed, likely sometimes they are. But what is more crazy is what these people are protesting against. I just learned from a reader of yet another self immolation. This particular case was in protest of the U.S. governments insane neglect regarding the climate catastrophe.https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/24/wynn-bruce-climate-change-self-immolation/
Sounds like the revolution will not be televised, but it *will* be streamed on Twitch.
I think your question, which I’ll paraphrase as “how can we better honor life—and the sacrifices of these martyrs—with our everyday actions?” is the right one.
It’s not just the lack of reporting on these events in the consent manufacturing machine. The modern Pentagon has a “counter insurgency manual” to stamp out whatever antiwar movement might arise today. The status quo’s immune system has developed antibodies to fight off what it sees as the “infection” of protest.
I will continue to look inward and examine any urges I get to be more politically active again, but after a youth spent gathering signatures, knocking on doors, phonebanking and going to rallies, I’m currently convinced that my most efficacious possible contribution is a practice of peacefulness, compassion, and liberation in daily life.
Good thoughts here. Thank you Geoffe for having the courage to share. I am sitting beside you friend, looking out over the strangeness of the day. Like you, I too spent the first half of my life doing similar seemingly important work. Although I don’t feel it was all in vain, and I agree with you that the best work we can do is to inwardly transform, I also feel that, for the benefit of a time we will never see… there is outward world-building that now must be done too. Let’s dream, and get to work. Together.
Nothing in this life is. Even if one choses to be a vegan. The corn we eat is another beings child. There are many songs sung while harvesting that honor this deeply human reflection. When we walk down the street we kill countless beings with each step. To live is to kill. Yet learning how to hold this in our awareness and to actively do less harm, to make life's inevitable losses adornments that feed a higher understanding, well, this is arguably why we are here. The actions of these martyrs likely prevented countless other unnecessary deaths. Peace is not a destination, it is a way.
There are ways to be peaceful without killing or martyrdom... I'm not a vegan. I'm aware that I kill bugs possibly more important than me every time I go for a walk... But how did these deaths prevent more deaths? Is there a clear connection established?
Indeed. It is widely believed that the initial spark that caused so many to oppose the American war in Vietnam was ignited by Thich Quan Docs self-immolation (See Ken Burn's masterpiece on Vietnam for more details). It rapidly caused countless beings to dedicate themselves to ending that war. You are correct that there are other ways. I am in no way suggesting we should do what these men did, but we would be wise to be as bold. For a deeper, more detailed look into this, I highly recommend the book Lotus in a Sea of Fire by Thich Nhat Hanh.
All war does is prove who has the biggest gun. I have long said that if there has to be a war, fight it on a chess board! But it always seems to be that the actual killing of boys and girls, who really don't wish to be in the battle, is more fun for the so-called leaders of nations. If they think battle is necessary, have them fight life or death battles, face to face. But of course that won't happen, nor will their children or grand children be involved in the battle. I especially hate the propaganda and brain washing dished out to justify mass killing.
I am also very certain you will take heat for writing this kind of article, but, I once told you, I'd rather you serve people than shoot people, and I am so proud of you!
Love you dad. Thankyou for remaining pro peace your entire life.
This pieces was really moving. I am not from the US, and my country doesn't have any war power at all, although the first thing the government decided to do in the first days of our republic, was to annihilate the native population. It's a very sad thing, and of course I wasn't even close to be born when it happened, but still, a very sad thing that we all need to rethink and rewrite. Who are we? Are we the sons and daughters of the mass murderers, are we the descendants of the survivors, are we a mix of both? I know I am. And it's really sad.
Back to your piece, I find it so incredible that some people would ignite themselves. To take their precious lives like that, and for what? Do people know about them? Do people care? Do people remember? Is it worthy? It breaks my heart to think of these people doing these things, just for this genocide to continue and most people not even caring about it.
There's a lot more to discuss. A lot. I sigh. I don't know how to continue.
We have to remember these people and we must look deeper than our current modern understanding of what is right and what is wrong allows. Without understanding the views held by mahayana practitioners, these acts seem violent and crazy. Indeed, likely sometimes they are. But what is more crazy is what these people are protesting against. I just learned from a reader of yet another self immolation. This particular case was in protest of the U.S. governments insane neglect regarding the climate catastrophe.https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/24/wynn-bruce-climate-change-self-immolation/
Sounds like the revolution will not be televised, but it *will* be streamed on Twitch.
I think your question, which I’ll paraphrase as “how can we better honor life—and the sacrifices of these martyrs—with our everyday actions?” is the right one.
It’s not just the lack of reporting on these events in the consent manufacturing machine. The modern Pentagon has a “counter insurgency manual” to stamp out whatever antiwar movement might arise today. The status quo’s immune system has developed antibodies to fight off what it sees as the “infection” of protest.
I will continue to look inward and examine any urges I get to be more politically active again, but after a youth spent gathering signatures, knocking on doors, phonebanking and going to rallies, I’m currently convinced that my most efficacious possible contribution is a practice of peacefulness, compassion, and liberation in daily life.
Waking up can ripple.
Good thoughts here. Thank you Geoffe for having the courage to share. I am sitting beside you friend, looking out over the strangeness of the day. Like you, I too spent the first half of my life doing similar seemingly important work. Although I don’t feel it was all in vain, and I agree with you that the best work we can do is to inwardly transform, I also feel that, for the benefit of a time we will never see… there is outward world-building that now must be done too. Let’s dream, and get to work. Together.
Self-immolation is not peaceful... Especially when it means leaving behind a family.
Nothing in this life is. Even if one choses to be a vegan. The corn we eat is another beings child. There are many songs sung while harvesting that honor this deeply human reflection. When we walk down the street we kill countless beings with each step. To live is to kill. Yet learning how to hold this in our awareness and to actively do less harm, to make life's inevitable losses adornments that feed a higher understanding, well, this is arguably why we are here. The actions of these martyrs likely prevented countless other unnecessary deaths. Peace is not a destination, it is a way.
There are ways to be peaceful without killing or martyrdom... I'm not a vegan. I'm aware that I kill bugs possibly more important than me every time I go for a walk... But how did these deaths prevent more deaths? Is there a clear connection established?
Indeed. It is widely believed that the initial spark that caused so many to oppose the American war in Vietnam was ignited by Thich Quan Docs self-immolation (See Ken Burn's masterpiece on Vietnam for more details). It rapidly caused countless beings to dedicate themselves to ending that war. You are correct that there are other ways. I am in no way suggesting we should do what these men did, but we would be wise to be as bold. For a deeper, more detailed look into this, I highly recommend the book Lotus in a Sea of Fire by Thich Nhat Hanh.