Violence is inherent to life. period. exclamation point. expletive.
I want so badly to convince you of this fact. I have a visceral need to prove to you that it’s true.
Why?
Because…..
Maybe then we can find peace.
Maybe then we can revive the sanctity of life taking.
Maybe then we can re-establish relational health.
Maybe then I can relax.
I won’t wait for you. I’m doing this thing. Come or stay, the choice is yours.
I repeat violence is inherent to life. This is not a bad thing. It’s not a good thing either. It simply is.
Violence does not need to be harsh, it can be soft, nurturing & reverent. Violence can be sacred.
Violence feeds me & it always has. I mean this literally. Every time I eat I am consuming nutrients liberated from life through violence.
Maybe that’s why cultures across the globe have insisted on prayerful ways of killing, harvesting & consuming crops & animals.
Maybe these traditions hold an age-old secret reminding us to respect the sanctity of death & to understand ourselves through the process of grateful mourning when the beasts & rooted ones come to our fires & roasting pots.
Maybe this secret is pointing us toward a truth of who & what we are.
I often consider the violence of the world of today & wonder:
Would we still be shooting one another in cold blood if we truly respected the sanctity of death?
Would we still be piloting drones from across the globe if we had accepted the sanctity of our own violence?
Would we still be beating children if we…..
I can hear in my minds ear the voices:
“I would never….”
“Only a monster would…..”
But did you eat today?
This is truly a hot take and I really appreciate the fresh perspective