The power of my own peace

I belong to a professional organization of Black Psychologists and ever since the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida I have received emails every day from members urging some type of action. There are calls to protest, or calls for political action but this one, by Dr. Mersella caught my attention. He apologizes. Further, he promises to work toward inner and outer peace in his own thoughts and actions. 

What sense does it make in the face of such justifiable anger and frustration to offer such sentiments?   This is exactly what the principle of non-violence protest is all about..the realization that the anger and hatred that seeded the problem cannot also root out the problem.

It should be evident by now that the solutions needed for out times, must come from a deeper source, a higher wisdom and a more enlightened view.  This does not mean that there is no place for public outcry and political change. However, a long view of history will quickly reveal that what ever is necessary to cause lasting and profound change in the human condition it must occur by creating changes from within. As Rev. Michael Beckwith says, "A person cannot seek to change the world and also remain the same".

Put another way,  In order for the world to change, I must change myself.

You and I both know that change is hard. If  changing one's own eating behaviors is difficult, what about ingrained prejudices, implicit feelings of superiority or inferiority, the effect of institutional biases that reinforce stereotypes. How does one person combat all of that?

 I say it is through a deep and abiding inner presence that will then influence all other actions and will alter all contradictory beliefs. I speak from my own experience. I have protested in my day and I have fought for political change. I know that it is hard and exhausting work and sometimes the rewards seem to be so fleeting. However, now I would have my protest be fueled from this inner presence and peace I want my political maneuverings to be informed by inspiration and insight. Then no matter what happens at the end of the day, I can have faith that something was accomplished.... if in no one else, in myself.

In peace and in health,
Cheryl

There is a deep, abiding darkness in the soul of our times.  A passion for violence and hate that is omnipresent and unrelenting in its pursuit of satisfaction and satiation. I am filled with grief and sorrow as a witness to the injustice, indifference, and faceless presence that is devouring our world. I offer you and every victim of this endless and timeless horror of our times my apology and promise to work toward inner and outer peace in my thoughts and actions.  Hope is not enough.  Patience cannot heal.  Our own nation, our institutions, our  popular culture are the very sources that sustain and nurture violence, destruction, and death.

 

 If there is any meaning to come from the killing of yet one more Black, one more repetition of a killing that has crossed centuries and place, let it be that this  evil be confronted in all it's forms across our land.  We must not permit time to remove this killing from our mind or conscience or actions.

It is time for a national atonement -- a confession and a public plea for forgiveness for what we have wrought, and continue to deny.

Anthony J. Marsella, Ph.D.