What keeps us from using our resources to heal this planet?

By Johannes Wich-Schwarz, PEP Board Member

7/21/2009

713,100,000,000

Is this the number of stars in the sky?  No. It is the amount of dollars spent by the United States on military expenses this year. It is so terrifying. Why, oh why, do we spend money, so much money, on creating suffering, instead of using it to alleviate human pain? What keeps us from using our resources to heal this planet? I just don’t understand it.

Perhaps we’re like an addict who knows how evil his or her compulsion is, and yet continues on with the self-destructive behavior.

Then—please—tell me, why do we continue acting out with military budgets and war preparations and combat? What keeps us from choosing peace? What is the payoff of war? I don’t understand. Doesn’t everybody seek peace? I think so. But perhaps we need to remind ourselves of the emotional advantages of a militaristic outlook. I believe it is much more comfortable, for instance, to divide the world into “us” and “them.” And, obviously, “we” need to be protected. It is often frightening to realize an underlying common humanity; it seems easier to continue thinking in “enemy terms.” And, keep in mind how we’ve connected such beautiful notions as “honor” and “sacrifice” with the military.

But aren’t these words often abused, misused for ideological purposes? Maybe. But I think they also speak to this deep yearning so many of us have, to, well, be honorable, make sacrifices. And I think one of the tasks of envisioning peace is to reflect on these notions more deeply. Maybe “sacrifice” could mean something different: perhaps it really means an attitude of not holding on to stereotypes, the willingness to be completely open and vulnerable in our interactions. That would take an incredible amount of courage.

Sometimes I wonder whether language in itself often tempts us to hide behind abstract categories such as “sides,” “enemies,” “honor,” “freedom.”

I agree. Abstractions are a way for us to avoid being in touch with, to use another abstraction, reality.

What’s reality? I believe it’s the immediate encounter with another human being. And I fervently believe that when we’re completely open to that encounter (and maybe that’s the most difficult task for any of us), then war is simply no longer an option; it would become completely unbearable.

So, what would a vision of peace, of human flourishing look like?

Hmmm. Let’s reflect on that some other time, okay? Right now, let’s return to the sky—do you see all the stars tonight? How foolish of me to think you could count them all.