Reflections On The Art of Peace


There have been a number of issues influencing my thoughts as of late. Amongst these things includes dealing with co-workers who seem to put themselves before all so that they can have an easy go of things, even if it is to the detriment of their colleagues. This is pretty sad, given that the environment in which we work, that being a maximum security federal penitentiary, in that at any given time your life can be in the hands of a fellow Officer.

Further to this, and what may appear at first glance as being a digressive point, my wife recently went to see Dr. David Suzuki ( http://www.davidsuzuki.org/ ) speak about the state of our world (not good), came home quite impassioned to the point of even writing (and publishing - cudos to her!) a letter to the editor in a local daily newspaper. My wife is also a big fan of Stephen Lewis ( http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/ ), who lectured here in town last week as well. I didn’t see this lecture live, but caught the first half of it on CJSR-FM, the local university radio station. He was speaking largely about Africa, but also diverged into human right’s issues in his talk.

We are subjected to these influences everyday, compounded by the latest propaganda gushing from our televisions, radios and print media, but I think, more often than not, we do not really reflect upon these issues, in spite of knowing that much is ill within our world. Then I was reading “The Art of Peace” by the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. Amongst these many wise words, one phrase in particular resonated with me, perhaps bringing everything together. Ueshiba writes:

“All things are bound together harmoniously; this is the real law of gravity that keeps the universe intact.”

As a practising Buddhist, I believe in the connection between all things, much the same as is taught by the Native Medicine Wheel and other similar concepts. So, reflecting on Ueshiba words, the first part of the comment was nothing new. It is the imagery of the latter part of that statement regarding “the real law of gravity” that made this a strong image in my mind. Think about it…

Ueshiba also writes:

“Conflict between material and spiritual science creates physical and mental exhaustion, but when matter and spirit are harmonized, all stress and fatigue disappears.”

These two short but concise statements truly depict, in my opinion, all that is wrong with the world and what needs to be done to correct these problems. I also believe that this is how we must approach the problems in our world. Look within yourself, and when there is peace there, begin to reach outward beginning with your home, then your neighbourhood, city, region, country and world. If everyone were to address the first three phases of this endeavour, the world would return to a harmonious state. Closing with one last passage from Ueshiba:

“The Art of Peace does not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed; instead, we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain peace in our own realms, nurture life, and prevent death and destruction. The true meaning of the term samurai is one who serves and adheres to the power of love.”

Portrait: Morihei Ueshiba