Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Peace Realized

Weapons of violence
are contrary to the common good
no matter how skillfully used
Where armies settle
Nature offers nothing but briars and thorns
After a great battle has been fought
the Earth lies stripped of its Motherhood
So we vow to do no harm

If faced with unavoidable violence
we remember this vow
act quickly
and return immediately to peace

Battles are not with enemies
They are with beings like ourselves
Knowing this, we do not rejoice in victory
and the downfall of others
Every victory is a funeral and an illusion

Once a battle is over
we lay down our weapons
and weep that we did not prevent it

Blend of 30 and 31 of Tao Te Ching from Teresa Rylander

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