Dialogues with William Escalation of Violent Approaches Q. What is your position concerning the current(Oct., 2001) bombing of Afghanistan? I begin with a story. I have a good relationship with raccoons that share our land. They were here before I was, and we treat each other with respect. A few years ago one got into our beloved room where Judith writes and where we see clients and students. I asked him to leave, and, understandably, he didn't want to since there was cat food there. I listened to him closely through observation and also a silent language that sometimes I can have with animals. He was disturbed and suffering. Then, I realized that he had rabies. I was finally able to get him out of the house without any aggression. Then, I was faced with a knotty problem. Did I allow him to spread his disease among other animals I also count as my deep friends? My dilemma came to a head when he charged me. I went to get the shot gun that I keep from my hunting days, and I killed my friend the raccoon. Q. I have many problems with your story. The first problem I have comes up in the question: what does this have to do with my first question? I have inside me a Ghandi like character who sits at my inner council of beings. He does not want me to use violence at all, under any circumstances. His truth force requires that. I also have a character who sits in my inner council who is a fierce warrior. In relation to the raccoons I generally listen to my inner Ghandi; however, in this case I called on my inner warrior. Now, to your first question: I oppose the current bombing of Afghanistan. My inner warrior didn't like that. He wants a quick solution, but I do not choose his advice. Q. Finally, you get to your point. I realize talking with me requires considerable patience. I oppose the bombing because I don't believe there is enough tension yet between the Ghandi energy of the universe and the warrior energy. I need to sit for much longer in the tension between these opposites because in this tension more awareness is born. Out of awareness comes creativity. We have not yet even scratched the surface of the creativity we could bring to this tragedy. The warrior energy of the USA far outweighs the peace energy, so I generally come down on the side of peace. Before we can unfold as a planet there will have to be a ground swell of peace energy that can balance the warrior. Much of this peace energy will have to come from groups like the Earthtribe, other informal spiritual communities and also from the Islam community, as well as other organized religions. Q. For example? On Sept. 12th I suggested we bomb with bread. To my surprise the Bush team did that very thing. Q. At your suggestion? Not directly. But as we put our intentions into the larger energy field, each powerful intention makes its imprint. I also suggested that we agree to the Tailbone's early position that they would turn over bin Laden to an Islamic court. I countered with one stipulation: that the court be made up of USA citizens who are Islamic. I also would like, in that case, that Hakeem Oulajuwon be on the court.(Coyote needs to be heard, also. Playfulness is not out of the question.) Next, I suggested that we offer to educate one million Afghan women for four years and return them to the Northern alliance. We could secure that area and demonstrate a new day for women and men in that region. We could see how that works for a few years. Q. All of this before you would bomb? Yes. That would give us a decade. Bush asked that we be in this for the long haul. I agree. There may be many holes in my suggestions, yet I am offering creativity as an alternative. Q. You are not an absolute pacifist? No. Neither am I absolutely against hunting, as I made clear in NATURE AND INTIMACY. I was an ardent hunter before my initial spiritual awakening when I was sixteen. After that I made a covenant with the animal world that I would not eat them(indirect hunting) unless I was hungry. I gave up hunting for sport altogether. The raccoon story speaks to my position. I kill only as a very last resort. Yet, I kill nearly everyday. When I drive my car, I kill hundreds of insects that hit my windshield. I also pick tomatoes often and eat them. I kill them. Research seems to indicate that they have a certain consciousness, so I eat them with respect and joy. So, no, I do not always agree with and choose my inner pacifist. Q. Yet, I know you opposed the war in Viet Nam. Yes. I resigned my exempt status as a clergy with my local draft board in Plainview, Texas. I asked them to draft me so I could further protest the war. I would encourage my grandchildren to do the same in this situation for the above reasons. We have not yet exhausted other means. If, after a decade or so, we exhaust other means, I might change my position. At the time of Viet Nam, I also listened very often to the part of me that is self-righteous and believes he knows what is best for the world in every case. He has been off base enough that I don't listen so quickly to him any more. Judith will tell you that that aspect of me is still alive and well in our conversations. Q. This way you have of approaching reality seems wishy/washy to me. It gives you the opportunity to change your mind at the drop of a hat and wiggled out of a tough situation. You can be a pacifist when you want to or you can choose another course. I prefer the term "flexible" and "authentic," but you understand my personality has an investment in this process as well as my soul. To illustrate your point: another raccoon recently entered our office. He was a very creative brother. He came in through the drier vent. To do that he pulled the drier duct out and followed the duct over the appliances and went through one room into another to get to his feast of cat food. Such creativity garnered my respect and admiration. Yet,I could not allow this situation to continue, so I trapped him and gave him a wonderful new home by a pristine creek. Balance and harmony seems to be restored between me and my raccoon brothers and sisters, at least for the time being. We have forgiven each other. They, my killing. Me, their invasion. This harmony has taken five years to evolve and is always in a state of change and challenge. Q. I am not nearly finished with this conversation. I have much to ask you. I have much to say, yet I am called to my breakfast where, after a blessing, I will eat my brothers and sisters the soy patty with the understanding that I will give my body for the Earth to eat at a later time.