To contribute to the reality that war is no longer an option, BWNW offers powerful principles from which people can develop their own thinking in dialog with other thinkers. Giving context, asking the questions, and then giving time for people to reflect is the heart of moving from reactionary thinking to reflective thinking. From that we can take action, make choices and create alternatives to violence.
Then the crucial question: What do you create with these principles and new way of thinking in your life?
We invite you to ponder what the Beyond War principle, “We are one interdependent whole” means to you. This principle has also been expressed as “We Are One” and “We all live on this planet together.” To the extent that these words have deep meaning and value for you, what is that meaning and value, how does it impact your actions?
Five years ago, Beyond War hosted a luncheon for the UNESCO chairs from all over the world to solicit feedback about the Beyond War DVD. Devoted to preserving cultural diversity, several chairs balked at the phrase “We Are One” because of the history of cultural hegemony and oppression. This feedback illuminated nuances to be considered.
Thich Nhat Hahn’s new book, Together We Are One: Honoring Cultural Diversity, Celebrating our Connection, reframes some of these concerns.
We invite you to consider your own experience and perspective and to share your ideas/ actions with us so we, as a learning community, move forward in exploring expressions of the foundation of our thinking during this new time for Beyond War Northwest.
Let’s get in touch in Seattle about this. I don’t agree with your board’s conclusion in 2012 that this group is no longer needed. The war people never rest, and the war system is completely unreformed. Obviously there will be another big war within short years. We are in a cool, interwar period. That’s all.
One positive consequence of the International Board’s decision is that we are now communicating more with the other legatees, the National Peace Academy, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and the Peace Alliance. This could be a very positive relationship for all concerned.
What did you mean by getting in touch in Seattle?
Another comment we received:
Beyond our differences we are one. We are one in our humanity. We all have minds, beliefs, joys and fears.
In the presence of respect for belief differences it is possible to look within our common humanity to find ways to help each other. We can do so without the necessity for seeking belief change. Unwanted efforts to change fundamental beliefs create fear bordering on terror.
There is no safety in a context of intense fear. Humans cannot move beyond war in a context of intense fear. Nor can humans move beyond war as long as “enemies” threaten to change fundamental beliefs.
Trust can be established if “others” feel that their way of life is respected.
Who would trust a country with enormous military power that makes it clear that it will keep the military option on the table? Who would trust a country that states it considers democracy the only acceptable form of government?
Increased trust reduces fear. Less afraid people are more open to joint effort to find peaceful ways of living.
Beyond our differences we can trust becoming one in our humanity