|
The Evasiveness of Peace
- Oliver Mbamara
From the beginning of time man always wanted to survive at the expense of his neighbor. From the days of the “laws of the jungle” through the era of “the survival of the fittest” and upon these days of “international warfare,” man continues to find a reason to antagonize one another, while at the same time hoping for that moment of peace, when all men will live in peace and harmony on earth. Man enjoys exploitation and is easily provoked, yet he hopes for peace. He is slow to forgive but quick to revenge and eager to battle, yet he desires a peaceful world. He would not compromise, but thrives on conflicts and very reluctant to shake hands of resolution at the negotiating table, yet he expects to live in peace.
So, will there ever be a time of peace and harmony on earth? Experience has shown that even after the war is fought and won, and after the so called conqueror has conquered the so called vanquished, the ultimate peace continues to remain but a fleeing illusion to be continually pursued, sought, desired, but never attained. But shall we concede to a world of hatred, violence, and hostility, because world peace remains evasive?
It is worthy of mention that the emphasis ought to significantly be on the qualification of the peace being referred – “worldly” peace or “inner” peace. This emphasis becomes relevant in view of the fact that though “worldly” peace may remain a mirage, “inner” peace could be attained even in the face of the greatest physical and worldly turmoil. Many Savants and Masters have been known to emerge or exist with the masses at the time of tragedy, tribulation, and/or captivity. Take a look at some captivity times in history such as the Babylonian and Ethiopian captivities.
Incidents of war, turmoil, and upheavals have been the mark of earth, and will continue to be the trend of the times as the earth continues to run its course. Such remains the element of human nature, the human race, mankind, and the lower world. Yet, the seeking of worldly peace ought not to be discouraged, just as the seeking of inner peace ought to be of paramount importance to every individual Soul.
In the attainment of inner peace is found the understanding or awareness to appreciate the unfolding of world events. This informs why it would be suggested that the desire for worldly peace ought to be checked by the ability to tolerate worldly turmoil and the recognition of the place of inner peace in the scheme of things. Perhaps, in the process, man would be inspired to seek to know himself in readiness for the confrontation of the beyond, and thus see the world for what it truly is – a training ground for the purification of Soul.
The
Evasiveness of Peace
And from the beginning of time on earth
Through the present and into the future
Man continues to seek survival in war
From the age of the jungle law
Through the age of fittest survival
Upon these days of international war
Man dearly seeks attainment of peace
Which like a fleeting illusion remains
Continually pursued but never attained
And so we ask, if peace will ever be
On the face of earth some day attained,
Or shall man the inner peace rather seek?
©Oliver O.
Mbamara, 2004
Respond
to this Article/Story or leave comment
***************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oliver Mbamara is an Administrative Law
Judge with the State of New York. He is also a filmmaker and a Published
Poet and playwright. For more on Oliver, please visit
www.olivermbamara.com
For background/research reference on this
piece, click on this link
BACK
TO THE TOP
|
|
.
