An Easier Route to Peace
by Roy T James
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Peace will sustain, as long as we do not do things to disturb the balance. So, we need to ensure that none of our actions or reactions fail to meet an appropriate, end.
“What can we do to make human societies peaceful, while not restricting people from progressing with their call?”
This book says that peace will sustain, as long as we do not do things to disturb the balance. So, we need to ensure that none of our actions or reactions fail to meet an instant, and appropriate, end. Here is a way to make it the 'default', as far as human society go.
Excerpt:
Introduction
In my book, An Easy Route to Peace, I addressed one of the most relevant questions of the day. How to make our society, a naturally peaceful one? “What can we do to make human societies peaceful, while not restricting people from progressing with their call?”
I think, it is not difficult to say, peace will sustain, as long as none of our actions or reactions fail to meet an instant, and appropriate, end. And, in this book, I proposed a way to make it the 'default', as far as human society go. But, now I have a question. Why should, our actions or reactions that are not dealt with instantly and appropriately, pose a threat to peace and harmony?
Let us say, actions and reactions should not be a threat to peace, even if directed inappropriately. If there is a way to achieve this, won't it be an easier route to peace? In this light, let us examine all our actions and reactions. To make matters simple, let us scrutinize culture, which is a treasury of all that our actions and reactions lead to.
Chapter 1: ABCD Techniques and Culture
I think, prioritize, is a well acknowledged management tool, and I have seen it in action in many and varied activities of importance. Sometimes called ABCDE technique of management, it is nothing but a planned and monitored allocation of resources. Put roughly, here, each constituent part shall get attention in proportion to its relative significance. All parts proceed smoothly, no time lost in waiting for any kind of intervention. The end result is, the activity as a whole becomes rather self-correcting, and also shall progress without the need of constant supervision.
I also think, we have been missing this from where it is most appropriate. Take human nature, one, which effectively is an edifice having as many parts as the population of this planet. We all know, there is no aspect of human life and living that is even remotely self-correcting. In addition, there is always an issue or two, in spite of constant supervision, not to speak of the new challenges that keep us on toes. Of course, we are very well aware of this, and many of us, especially the ones specializing in spiritual affairs, are always coming up with fresh techniques to manage or regulate human life.
I have a question. Why can't we think of an ABCD technique of self control? Had we employed and formalized such plans and procedures in the management of human affairs, wouldn’t the world be missing all the wars and strife? Wouldn't that make, human society, a peaceful one by default? With this idea, let me see, how it will look, if we are to make a start, now.
Where to Begin?
Where shall we begin? Naturally, with something easier to comprehend or respond, human nature being a huge canvas. What is the most widely visible part of human nature? Which part of human nature is in action, all the time? Undoubtedly, culture, without which, no human society exists. This only can account for almost all that we celebrate, and also, all that we find difficult to put up with. Or, not only that cultural values take a prime position, but also it contribute handsomely to all that is not 'OK' with the human society.
Chapter 2: The Mountain of Culture
What is culture? In fact, it is nothing but a collection of contextually relevant abstractions mixed imaginatively, and pragmatically. So, there are many sides to culture, each capable of arresting our attention in full. At any time, depending on a few parameters like the environment, one side shall be assuming prominence. And, it will have a say, not only on all that one does, but also on all that one despises.
What does Culture do?
Here, we can make a good start by looking for the most significant side. Now, what is the most cherished part of culture? In fact, much of vagaries that culture can lead to, or the many and different ways it can manifest, finally results in things that have meaning or appeal that greatly varies with the circumstances. These give rise to 'social waves' that can land with a feather touch or a violent rock.
In the vast sea of cultural values, many such wavelets rise and fall, leaving hardly a mark. But, the waves resulting from the expression of freewill do not do so. Such waves, more often than not, overturns, at least, all that is nearby.
In fact, culture can be functionally equated to an array of combinations of freewill, and abstractions like courage, fear, love, shyness, or happiness that are commonly found among all people. Or, we identify someone as cultured, only if freewill triumphs over all other human traits. A cultured one will ‘know’, when to respond and how. Like, when to feel shy, when not to, how it should be shown, and to what extent. Or, whether to show anger, and if so, how much and at whom.
Therefore, a study into freewill, its manifestation, and its repercussions, can enlighten us more about the value of cultural values. Look Qualitatively and Quantitatively In fact, among all the attributes, freewill is the one that enjoys the foremost recognition and value, as far as humans go. Freewill, in this case, is far different from whatever is the freedom that can be observed among all other beings. Put in a nutshell, it refers to the propensity to reach absolutely independent conclusions, even when it involves inconvenience or extreme danger, to oneself, or for all, and for reasons real as well as abstract.
(Historically, we have been confusing this with the free expression of one's choice in the activity of interest, which is more or less present among all forms of life. I think, because of this reason, freewill is not getting due attention. Each of us will be more attracted to things that are distinctly human, than the common ones.)
The Mathematics of Culture
To understand this better, let me introduce two kinds of mathematical equations.
One, which is quite common and clearly understandable to all. Where, an equation will have both LHS and RHS, and we manipulate one side (most often LHS – left hand side) to get the other side of our liking. All the activities that can be called meaningful or understandable, belong here. Everywhere, there will be a result that will have a link with a cause.
Two, which is not so common and not that clear to one and all, where, one can manipulate both the sides simultaneously. These equations can represent all our transactions that are beyond the limits of our senses, or those that cannot be directly experienced. Here we manipulate at will, both the LHS and the RHS. The more imaginative of those manipulations appear to us as derived knowledge, philosophical treasures, and many other forms of literary wealth, of which we pride ourselves. Here, a result and its cause need not show a link. Almost in all cases, what we celebrate as wisdom is nothing but the ability to originate such a link.
The Role of Attributes
In fact the life of an average person, as well as that of all forms of life other than the human, almost fully consist of activities that can be represented by the former style of equations. Here, all the milestones and components of living, like success, failure, happiness, or sorrow, occur in a manner that keeps the current equation, desirable as well as complete. If it doesn’t happen so, one will be left with voids that will always be leading to some form of consternation, unless kept refilled. Generally such a void gets filled by the random activities of play, love, or fight, that pervades every bit of the space, humans come to occupy. To doubly ensure this, each one of us is also having a few individual traits, which, in fact can enable one to make sense, even when no one else can. (This can also be spotted quite easily among all forms of life, though to a much lesser extent.) In fact, the many facets of a human, and the widely varying ambience that gets associated with each such facet, ensure that no trait goes without a room for expression. And, as mentioned, these expressions keep those ‘voids’ filled, letting us lead a contended life.
