Have you noticed any changes in your day to day life since the latest war in the Middle East began? Have you noticed how interpersonal conflict has increased? How little feuds have re-erupted? How past grievances have re-surfaced?
When masses of people around the world are pulled into emotionally charged opposition, it creates a psychic tension in the collective. The surge of resentment, contempt and hatred ends up reverberating into people’s lives.
Many people are being affected, even if they haven’t given much attention to the situation in the Middle East. Racial tensions, ethnic divisions, religious fault-lines, political squabbles — and pretty much every other gripe, disagreement and grievance that people have with each other are at risk of being intensified.
On top of this, many people are feeling increasing anxiety, sadness and despair as a result of focusing on the horrors that continue to unfold.
And when people concentrate on the pain and suffering of others, it can bring to the surface their own pain and suffering. For example, their own unprocessed grievances and traumas from their own experiences of persecution and abuse can become activated in unison.
So, we’re looking at an increase in emotional extremes in an already volatile world. And many people are vulnerable because they are still reeling from the distress of the covid crisis.
Inner Ceasefire
It is natural to sympathise with those who are suffering, and it is natural to want an end to atrocities. But in times like these, you have to be careful to not get swept along with the outcries of emotion and opinion. You risk getting pulled into a spiral of hostility that usually doesn’t help anything.
And this is the mechanism by which vast swathes of humanity can be hijacked. You only have to look at the malice that was unleashed after 9/11 to see how people’s emotional reactions were weaponised and manifested.
And let’s not forget the irrational medical apartheid that was recently enforced against those who didn’t take part in the fraudulent genetic experiment. Many people lost relationships and livelihoods as a result. And it came close to people being thrown in prisons or concentration camps.
We live in dangerous times because people are so easily triggered and manipulated. And to make matters worse, we’ve somehow ended up with many characters in positions of authority and influence who exhibit clear signs of narcissism and psychopathy.
The solution to conflict is always the same, whether it be in personal relationships or between two nations. People have to heal their hatred, resentment and contempt — and they have to agree to live peacefully with mutual respect for each other. All other solutions for lasting peace and good relations unfold from this.
But unfortunately, despite many people in Israel and Gaza wanting peace and reconciliation, it probably isn’t going to happen any time soon given the recent surges in brutality, cruelty and xenophobia. In an area of the world, where ethnic segregation, discrimination and violence was already commonplace.
And all that most of us can do, is make sure that we’re not getting pulled into the darkness of hatred, resentment and contempt. That we’re not acting in ways that inflame tensions, conflict and division. That we’re not giving tacit consent for escalations of violence and oppression that will only lead to more suffering and more hatred.
The Resonance of Peace
Whenever the darkness in this world intensifies, you can choose to walk further in the opposite direction. For example, you can choose to bring more calmness, more tenderness, more compassion into yourself and your relationships.
If you are living in safety. If no one is threatening to hurt you or imprison you, then I suggest you count your blessings at this time. Take advantage of the stability you have and make the most of your life.
And if you feel like some of your old wounds have re-surfaced, then perhaps use this opportunity to focus on your healing process, and to let go of grievances that are weighing you down.
By nurturing compassion and respect within yourself and your relationships — you not only improve your life and the lives of those around you — you also become a silent resonator of peace. And your presence alone will have a positive influence wherever you go and wherever you focus your attention.
We’re all influencing each other in subtle and unseen ways. And I do believe that the more people there are who attain inner peace, the more peaceful this world will become.
Related article: The Influence of Collective Consciousness
© Adrian Connock
