The Peaceful Activist

"I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there." 


~ Mother Teresa

Activism. Now there’s a word that can split a room. There are those who are willing to put themselves out there to fight for what’s right and just in the world, and others who believe that the law is the law and people should just put up and shut up.

“In this world hate 
never yet dispelled hate.
 
Only love dispels hate.
 This is the law,
 
ancient and inexhaustible.”



- Buddha

However, much like Buddha taught of the Middle Path, so too is there a middle way for activism, and more and more people are coming to realise that.

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek,

but a means by which we arrive at that goal."


~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Recent peaceful activism has grown out of the roots of the likes of Egypt and spread across the world. Whether you look to Occupy or Tar Sands or other similar protests, people are waking up to the fact that you can’t fight violence with violence, and war does not end war.

“Peace is your natural state, 
it is the mind that obstructs the natural state.”

- Swami Turiyananda

The best indication that peaceful activism is a “threat” to those in corrupt power is the fact that more and more laws, regulations and injunctions are coming into effect to prevent protests (even peaceful ones) from taking place near certain people, places and companies.

The key now is for activism to not lose its way. To not lose steam or motivation or effectiveness, despite the onslaught of both court of law and divided public opinion. Now is the time for it to evolve, focus, and walk the talk. The time has come to stop wasting energy and time and resources on fighting losing battles. The time has come to stand up, lead by example, and set down the foundations for a new way.

But who will be brave enough, and bold enough, and love enough, to do this?

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, 
there is a field. I will meet you there."

- Rumi

If we value ourselves, and our world, and our fellow humanity, then we all should.

This is our time.