The state and all those who are at war think that they are protecting their community by attacking those who threaten the safety of that community. What they fail to realize is that when one foe is vanquished, another will rise up to take his place. There will always be a bad guy sitting in the wings more than eager to take the place of the last one. This is reminiscent of the futility in fighting the Greek mythic beast the Hydra. The moment you cut off one head, two more grow in its place. In the meantime considerable resources have been consumed and great destruction has resulted due to the conflict. When the solders return home they find millions of vulnerable people who still need protecting. So the cycle starts all over again.
This is a symptom of colonialism and feudal methodologies and principles. What is required is Christ level consciousness to break this cycle.
So what is the root cause? Is it the fact that there are bullies, psychopaths and greedy individuals in this world or is the root cause actually the existence of weak and vulnerable people? I propose that the fact that there are those who are vulnerable leads to this vicious cycle repeating over and over again. If anything, people use the protection of the vulnerable as justifications for their violent acts. That has been the rally cry of the state for hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years. Yet they never find a way to end poverty or raise people up so that they are no longer vulnerable.
I propose to you that a core principle of the Pacem Arts (the art of peace) and even the Martial Arts (the art of war) is to focus on helping the weak and vulnerable so that they can protect and provide for themselves. It is our primary duty to teach everyone how to fish and that involves not only providing the skills, but also ensure that they all have the land, resources, tools, knowledge and experience to provide for themselves.
What this does is increases the individuals sense of purpose and self-esteem as they are no longer dependent on others. When they can provide for their own basic needs they are then free to explore life in all its glory rather than stress about where their next meal is going to come from. The time that gets freed up then provides opportunities for service to others which further strengthens the community. Over time, a web of relationships grows so strong, vibrant and dynamic, that no violent offender can penetrate the web of protection that has grown around the community.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi
The bullies and psychopaths cannot battle a strong, well knit community. Their lies, intimidating behaviour, covert violence, guilt trips and other tactics don't and won't work. The individuals within the community have the strength, time, energy and wisdom to see right through these people, which disarms them and makes their way of life obsolete and powerless.
A true spiritual warrior who practices the Pacem Arts is somebody who does his best to ensure everyone is independent and free. He builds communities by giving rather than destroying communities by taking. Colonial solders go to war to destroy and take. The way to counter these violent offenders is to go behind the battle line and help those who the solders claim they are protecting. Our goal is to help them become so free and independent that they no longer need solders. We don't waste our time on fighting, but instead we invest our time on building and creating peace, prosperity, joy, compassion and love.
Then the Hydra will die for good! We must rebuke those who go to battle to destroy despite their assertion that their efforts are righteous. This is a misguided notion as the real battle is in the hearts and minds of men and women as we struggle to surrender violence and chose peace instead.
The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members - Mahatma Gandhi
This is what a true Spiritual Warrior does.