Conflict

Conflict can become habituated in individual lives and in cultures. Ancient tribalism ritualized conflict in the form of regular raids by one tribe upon another. This promoted tribal cohesion and asserted territorial superiority. Male children were initiated into violence through these raids. This human behavior still exists in the world.

 

National Public Radio presented this piece on Israel. Commando tourism. This speaks for itself.

 

Conflict is hard-wired in capitalist cultures. When materialism and money rule, there is inevitable conflict over limited physical resources. With increased population and environmental pressures, conflict is likely to intensify. There is nothing which will stop this in the immediate future of the planet.

 

As an individual, I can choose in any situation whether to participate in conflict with others. This choice becomes easier when the conflicts within my own brain are resolved through personal practice. If I am healthy, meditate and focus on my life's priorities, conflict is relatively easy to avoid as long as I am not trying to profit from the loss of others.

 

Whatever control comes from winning a conflict is short-lived. Conflict does not end conflict. It breeds more conflict.