We know violence. Violence is manifested physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Violence is done to and is done by. Violence is direct and indirect. Violence is intended and un-. Violence is overt and covert. Violence is subtle and not. Violence is in nature. Violence is in us. Nature’s violence is neutral; it is part of. Our violence is purpose-full; unlike nature we seek to injure, damage and destroy. Our violence can be unintentional; the harm we do is an unintended consequence. Sometimes we are caught in a ‘harm-harm’ dilemma; we must choose ‘between’ and in doing so we know we will be causing harm – violence will be done. Are humans inherently violent? Is there any culture that disconfirms this? Have we, in our culture, accepted violence as a ‘given’ if not the ‘norm’? What is violence anyway?
Here is a working definition: Violence = force used to injure, damage, deplete, or destroy. And here is a working definition of Deplete = to make less by gradually using up, starving, or emptying.
Consider that one of the greatest types of violence is the violence we do to ourselves – self-violence. Consider that we choose self-violence each time we choose to deplete the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions [our P.I.E.S.] that make up who we are as fully human beings. Consider that ‘Self-Violence Matters, Really!’
What are your favorite ways of doing violence to yourself? If you ‘know better’ why do you choose to deplete one or more of these dimensions of yourself?
The antidote to depletion is nurturance. What are your favorite ways of nurturing each of these dimensions of yourself – your P.I.E.S.? Which one of these dimensions needs sustenance at this time in your life?
Searcher-Seeker 