Comments on: The art of retreat

By: Paulien

Paulien — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:41:46 +0000

“That is why the warrior never under-estimates brute force. When it is irrationally aggressive, he retreats from the battle field until the enemy has spent his energy.”

This week, our folk band had a little issue… Well, it wasn’t all that little. We were with five people, of which four were ‘go with the flow’ kind, led by enthousiasm, spirit and impulse. Though the fifth was a very tight young lady, very aimed on professional behaviour, seriousness and extremely focused on “the plan”, and not able to adjust to the river like water, to flow in peace… This eventually became rather a conflict and I was extremely angered by some things she said and thought about the rest of us. So I, in turn, expressed my frustration to her. After that I retreated and decided to lay low and leave her alone, until the time came in which we would settle it. For I we gone on with our discussion, the conflict could have exploded and in our anger we could have said even more things we didn’t mean or that were very hurting. So instead I decided to step back, to first calm myself and let the anger go away, for it blocked my “vision”… And when I was at peace, when I could see cleary again, I advanced once again, to that I could continue the “battle” with a clear mind and a clear judgement.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:04:21 +0000

I try not to judge people,because I understand I cant know all hidden details.

By: elisabeth delage

elisabeth delage — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:12:35 +0000

this is a very important point, so thank you for this topic again!
so true!to know ourself better,our dark side,and to understand the reasons,and how and why we can stop it,like that we can try to understand better the others.so true also,to know our capacities,sometimes the battles go nowhere,just to our destruction.so there is a time,a moment.but sometimes we are surprises of our reactions,wrongs or rights,because the world and people move all the time.more we learn more we can see,that a lot of wars are based on the differences,the fear to lose those differences.our societies don’t try to find this equilibrium,in many ways they teach us that we can’t find it.we are differents,our eyes,our cultures,our beliefs ect..right! but before all, we are humans and we live together on a same planet,with the same rule,life and death.i like also the simples thoughts,because there is no fight,no protest.bonne journée à tous!

By: Manish

Manish — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:48:04 +0000

Dear Paulo,

I dont agree with what you say totally. I ebelieve the quote from Gita but life is sacrosanct and we must do everything to preserve it. Im from Mumbai though staying in another country now but my heart bleeds for the people who are going through hell due to the senseless madness perpetuated by fanatics who has been brainwashed into believeing that the mission of their lives are dominance and suprimacy of their religion. These fanatics know they will be tortured and many of them would have deaths in gutters, yet they are fearless, they dont value their lives. We need a solution to the real problems. So much chao, so much hate, so much unrest going around the world and we need to harness our collective will power to bring a stabler, snaer world. I do pray for it. Let us all do since nothing else seems to have any answer to this.

Warm regards,
Manish

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:19:06 +0000

The Indian text that you refer to in this article has been misspelt. It is the Bhagavad Gita, and not Bragavad Gita.

By: luce

luce — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:24:31 +0000

Dear Paulo,

thank you for lovely citations. I agree with Okakura Kakuso and I have witnessed so many times situations and behaviours alike, but the citation from Bragavad Gita is precious to remember and treasure it, to help you fight sin of sins: FEAR

Dear Thelma,

I totaly agree with you.

Love
Luce

By: THELMA

THELMA — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:00:35 +0000

The fights are not fought with weapons and violence only. Most wars are taking place in secret chambers, in dark souls, in …the judges’ chambers. The enemy’s desire is for ..earthly possessions and power. At the same time the aim is to ..steal, to take advantage, to violate others’ rights, to destroy. The reason is envy, greed and ignorance. Ignorance of the Truth and of the law of ..Karma [dear Nelson D' Silva, Cause and Effect].
We have to be all White, luminous creatures with thoughts of Love and to radiate the energy of wisdom and our Father, our shelter, knows the wrong-doers and gives divine justice!
Love,
Thelma

By: Sefer JAN

Sefer JAN — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:31:23 +0000

I agree with Okakura Kakuso. The Pharaoh was killing children in the city, while his wife was looking after Moses. So don’t be like Pharaoh, who was searching for the enemy otside his palace, while his enemy was in his hug. You have to realize that your enemy is inside of your heart. When you understand the secret of story that is told about Moses and Pharaoh, you will never blame others.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:05:03 +0000

Nice explanation.I found it right.A battle lost does not mean a lost war………

By: Rekha

Rekha — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:31:46 +0000

In this physical existence I will remain a survivor because I believe that life holds many more wonders in store for me, for us.
By courage, by submission, by endurance, by constant search for the eternal truth of life.

Words from JRR Tolkien’s ‘I Sit and Think’ :
“For still there are so many things that I have never seen:
In every wood in every spring there is a different green”