Greatest Enemy of All
Like a full circle, the mind must be empty, yet complete...
Having finished my course last night, I decided to go for a run in the lit forest track. Afterwards, just as I had entered the military gates and approached the hotel, I passed a soldier jogging with his gasmask on. It made me think of all things extreme.
I have to admit I’ve always been drawn to the extreme. But I think I’ve become better at choosing amongst the various extreme options out there. Reflecting over this selection ability – it may have developed over time and thanks to a maturity process, as well as the hard way; from learning through painful and often repetitive mistakes.
A life can be threatened both physically and emotionally by a situation, however my ability to choose also includes a more careful consideration of relationships. These days I am finding myself planning ahead more patiently and in line with a higher purpose, belief or meaning.
Also, I don’t have a wish to challenge myself to a degree where an extreme situation or experience may harm me, or threaten my life.
For instance, I turned down going to Afghanistan twice this summer.
I only had the benefit to contemplate on my verdict, since the offers were presented as a choice. In the end, my decision was based on the timing of the missions, but another reason may have been the instinct to protect myself. Age has definitely improved the instinct to protect what is ‘me’, which can only imply that I am finally forming a harmonious and accepting relationship with myself.
And what relationship could be more important to spend time improving and nurturing? If we can’t live in peace with our self – then who will stand a chance? Perhaps the conflicts and wars of the world today between people and nations, is in fact just an internal one, in disguise. We simply haven’t had the courage to face yet the greatest enemy of them all:
Our selves.
