Many years ago in Denmark I saw a wonderful cartoon (I think it was by the classic Rune T. Kidde). One guy was saying: "I anti-war, anti-polution, anti-whaling, anti-bureaucracy, anti-commercialism, anti-globalism!"
And the other guy says: "Wow, that's really... um, positive."
And like the saying goes, it's funny because it's true. Are you positive because you're fighting negative things? Well... it's a lot better than fighting positive things! But... does it really help all that much?
Mother Teresa said that she refused to go to an anti-war rally. "Show me a peace rally, and I'll go."
By fighting things you give them your energy, and you strengthen them.
Instead, give your energy to the things you want rather than those you don't.
Featured comment by TTL:
"All true.
What puzzles me, though, is how come so few people get this? This is not rocket science but rather quite elementary psychology.
The U.S. goverment is infamous for their "War Against this" and "War Against that" programs. The late and great Harry Browne once listed them all and showed how not a single one of those programs had diminished the thing they had 'againsted' for with those unfathomable sums of taxpayers' money.
A perfect example is "War Against Drugs". There is a more or less direct correlation between money spent in this program and the growth of illegal drug use in the country."
Very, very Danish!
ReplyDeleteGood Idea.
PYL
Mother Teresa said that she refused to go to an anti-war rally. "Show me a peace rally, and I'll go."
ReplyDeletethat's hypocrisy. anti-war is peace. duh.
All true.
ReplyDeleteWhat puzzles me, though, is how come so few people get this? This is not rocket science but rather quite elementary psychology.
The U.S. goverment is infamous for their "War Against this" and "War Against that" programs. The late and great Harry Browne once listed them all and showed how not a single one of those programs had diminished the thing they had 'againsted' for with those unfathomable sums of taxpayers' money.
A perfect example is "War Against Drugs". There is a more or less direct correlation between money spent in this program and the growth of illegal drug use in the country.
TTL,
ReplyDeleteBased on the results his tactics gathered so far, I'd say the safest way for G.W. Bush to nix drug use would be to start a war against the D.E.A.
Dang, it just might work!
I say we start a war against the war on drugs!
ReplyDeleteSPARTAAAAAAAA! TONIGHT WE DINE IN HELL!
*Later, I'm standing alone in a cold jail cell wearing naught but a red cape and my undies* Upon retrospect, it probably wasn't a good idea to kick that cop in the crotch when he confronted me for public indecency...
Pascal,
ReplyDeletethe War on Drugs was started by Richard Nixon in the 1970s. Presidents after him have just kept it going.
Drug use has increased throughout the lifetime of the program and is now higher than ever.
Great use of taxpayers' money!
Peaceful Blade,
ReplyDelete"That wasn't a cop with a mustache, that was my ex-wife!"
Told you she was a mean one, didn't I?
Hey, stop me if you've heard this one:
A priest, a rabbi and a mullah walk into a bar. The bartender looks at them, and asks:
"What's this, some kind of joke?"
(Get it?) :-D
TTL,
ReplyDeleteI know, but if one flamboyant loonie can succeed at it by trying the opposite, it's definitely old Dubya.
Shucks, what have we got to lose by trying, anyway? ;-)
I've noticed in reading your posts and responses that you are a reader of "A Course in Miracles" and have an interest in spirituality.
ReplyDeleteYour posting about evil and nothing, and the relationship between war on anything and the fact that such wars simply supply more energy to that which they attempt to overcome is very perceptive.
I am reminded of the writings of a 20th century mystic by the name of Joel S. Goldsmith and what he had to say in a similar vein.
If you are not aware of his writings, you might investigate them, as he wrote more than thirty books, most all of them still in print.
franklyn, Joel Goldsmith has been one of my great spiritual influences. I have over a dozen of his books, I continue to study The Infinite Way. It's awesome to find someone else into him. His book "A Parenthesis in Eternity" is one of my favorites. Also, "Thunder of Silence." Thanks for bringing him up. Do you study him?
ReplyDeleteLaurie
PB, when you're funny you're very funny. Love that visual, you in your undies and cape. Let your first book be a comedy, I'll plunk down a twenty-spot for it.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
20 books, and most still in print? That's unusual. I'll take a look at Goldsmith.
ReplyDeleteSpecial Agent Pascal said: "I know, but if one flamboyant loonie can succeed at it by trying the opposite, it's definitely old Dubya. Shucks, what have we got to lose by trying, anyway?"
ReplyDeleteYou may be right. After all, he says he's been drug-free for seven--no, 25 years. [1]
So, implying that he used drugs (cocaine) 8 or 26 years ago, he clearly has won his personal war on drugs. He just isn't sure about the time framework (of the war).
Given this, I'm sure he will win the war against "terrists", too. Of course, he now must also start a War Against Global Warming. Now, there's a toughie. But as there's no problem that can't be solved by appling overwhelming force, it's only a matter of time. But you must support the troops.
But you must support the troops.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But nobody supports that A**HOLE BUSH. He's living alone on a rock somewhere between madness and stupidity.
Let's be positive, people. Instead of saying, for instance, "I'm against Bush", let's say "I'm all for Bush being incarcerated in Alcatraz".
ReplyDeleteDon't say "nobody supports that a**hole Bush". Instead, say : "We ALL want to boot some holy Bush butt!" (or shoot some lush Bush tush)
Being assertive will make it happen.
Not to mention we'll be back to our original topic. :-)
Okay, friend dudes? Peachy!
Back again, sorry haven't had a chnce to look at this post for several days.
ReplyDeleteStudy Goldsmith all the time.
Member of a small community of people who have been on this path for many years. (A glimpse of what we are doing outwardly can be seen on this site: www.zarephathwines.com)
I have found that several of Goldsmith's recent books (published posthumously) have been very helpful. One that I would recommend in particular is"Spiritual Power of Truth" It doesn't pull any punches and can be quite challenging to conventional wisdom, but it was well worth the effort!
Franklyn,
ReplyDeleteI checked Zarephathwine site. What a beautiful way to live. I will look for your wines.
Spiritual Power of Truth is a gem, I agree. It was one of the first Goldsmith books I got.
Check out www.theunofficialinfiniteway.com,
--- and their Yahoo group. There are some true mystics and teachers on that site.
blessings to you!
Laurie