BEN JAMISON
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The Spiritual Life

Thanks for checking out my blog.  All posts are inspired by where my spiritual life is taking me. They are written to inspire and remind myself to apply spiritual tools to my everyday experience, but I have a feeling you will find something useful here too...
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For or Against

4/28/2015

3 Comments

 
Events in Baltimore brought to mind for me the demonstrations inspired by the Grand Jury decisions to not indict the officers in the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.  Some of those demonstrations remained peaceful, some turned violent.  The violence in Baltimore has resulted in a state of emergency for that city.  This got me thinking - what makes the difference between peaceful demonstration and riot?  Gandhi and his followers managed to maintain non-violence, as did Dr. Martin Luther King, and in far more dramatic circumstances.  While there could be several factors, such as leadership, that play a significant role in whether or not a demonstration remains peaceful, I believe there is one factor that is more important than any other.  Are the demonstrations for something, or against something?

Dr. King marched and demonstrated FOR equal rights.  Gandhi’s activities were in support of a free and independent India.  The demonstrations related to Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and now Freddie Gray are against police mistreatment, against officers not being indicted, against racial profiling, etc.  This may seem trivial.  “What is the difference if you are for equal rights or against inequality?  Its the same thing!”  Well, not really.

To be for something is to be in support.  Support is about growth, positive change and inclusiveness.  To be against something is inherently combative.  It implies an “us vs. them” mentality and when there is something to attack, violence is much more likely.  Supporting what you want is creative.  Opposing what you don’t is destructive.  You can work to tear down what you feel is wrong or build up what you feel is right.  And, even if you do tear something down, you will have to build something else up, so why not start there?  The improvement process requires that which does not work to be replaced.  The destruction process just leaves...destruction.

There is a wonderful story of Mother Theresa.  She was asked to participate in an anti-war rally but refused, saying something along the lines of “...but when you march for peace, I’ll be there.”  It really is that simple.  Take whatever it is that you are against, look for what is 180 degrees from it, and work in support of that.  You will be more peaceful, progressive and powerful in creating what you want than you ever will by destroying what you don’t.
3 Comments
mary shanks
4/28/2015 02:20:28 am

So right, Ben.

Reply
Loretta Cook
4/29/2015 01:25:31 am

Yes Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi led peaceful protests, Which I know with the protests with King it was very difficult with all the police brutality they had to endure. This is one of the reasons that the black panthers were formed. While I don't condone the riots I feel that I can see the reason for them. While waiting for something to be said or done people are not hearing the right message from local officials. Sometimes local officials need to choose their words carefully. When officials release statements like Freddie Gray should have received medical attention before he was transported they do not provide a reason as to why he did not receive medical attention. People do not want to sit around and receive an answer six months or more down the road. At the same time they do not want to see this swept under the rug. Since the murder of Trayvon Martin I have only seen justice served once. I have relatives in Baltimore and they are ready for the riots to be over. I know they fear for their safety. I have relatives that work in public safety. You fear for their lives while they are performing their duty.

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Ben
4/29/2015 01:47:12 am

Hi Loretta. Thank you for commenting. I appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts.

Unfortunately, the rioting only adds injustice to injustice. The owners of the hardware store that was looted, the people who started the hair salon that was ransacked - this is more injustice and is counterproductive.

Luckily, the vast majority of the citizens of Baltimore are not participating. Many people are helping each other clean up and repair. This is where the focus needs to be - in serving others.

For your relatives in Baltimore - there is a wonderful prayer that I would like to share. It is called "The Prayer for Protection."

The Light of God surrounds me/us/them
The Love of God enfolds me/us/them
The Power of God protects me/us/them
The Presence of God watches over me/us/them
Where ever I/we/they am/are, God is and all is well.

~Ben

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