The following excerpt from The Tao Te Ching sums up perfectly how I feel about the use of force in my role as a Police Officer. I include words and presentation as (potential) weapons also. One may forget how the uniform presents itself and I strive to present an open, non-judgmental presence. Using force, for some, can become a crutch – the easier way out yet with a terrible price to pay. I find the challenge and reward of “building a bridge” pays dividends for everyone in the short term and long run. From a non-duality absolute truth perspective, to harm another is to harm myself and indeed harm all beings. Policing is FULL of opportunity for spiritual growth!
Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn’t wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?He enters a battle gravely,
TAO TE CHING (a new english version by Stephen Mitchell)
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.
Thank you Walter!
“…as if he were attending a funeral.”
Respect, no gossip, peace; gratitude for what IS, no escape into becoming.
The joy of simply breathing and Being Aware.
Amazing.
Amazing indeed Holger… But who is amazed? 🤔
😜
Great quote Walter. So is this “self-defence”? I guess self-defence is the defence of all as we are one?
Also interesting that you did martial arts as I did. What were your reasons for taking it up?
Reflecting, I guess mine was initially fear. I’m now ok with not having to “defend myself”
I took up martial arts when young. Watching movies and the mystery of it all hooked me – and the idea of POWER over others was another way of saying I had fear also… As I grew I came to subscribe to what the founder of Aidkido, Morihei Ueshiba, said: “The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood. It is not a means to kill and destroy others. Those who seek to compete and better one another are making a terrible mistake. To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst thing a human being can do. The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter – it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.” This is directly in line with non-dual understanding and also reflects what you say in being ok with not having to defend yourself. Policing from a non-dual perspective: I am a field of pure potential attending to a situation and can be whatever I need to be to solve the issue. And, because of the non-dual understanding, self-defense, as you said, is the defense of ALL beings.