Peace Recipe

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:42:51 GMT  <== Politics ==> 

Retta Fontana at Strike the Root - a must read. Some clues to creating peace in the inherently anarchist world in which we live. [root]

Being vigilant about liberty to me means living consciously, including staying sober, so that I can use serendipitous opportunities for building bridges, for opening other people's eyes, not with force but with the simple truth. I cannot open someone else's mind when my own is closed. But when I approach others with a peaceful, open heart, it is irresistible. When I begin from a place of peace, it's as if everyone recognizes, on some level, this thing for which they have been searching but couldn't even name. Like responding in class that day, we're all just too afraid to be the first to offer it. Others must be given room to change, and a peaceful heart gives others the space to change their stance.

As anarchists, we believe in the non-initiation of force principle. I find that I need to take it one step further and not only avoid the temptation to initiate force, psychological or otherwise, but also refuse to push back when someone else is attempting to use psychological force against me. It's a choice that reaps amazing results when done skillfully and intentionally.

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