War and Atmabhava

The Gita’s understanding of war includes a call to action for virtuous warriors, but also a prescription for the conduct that warriors should exhibit in battle. Call to action is to urge virtuous warriors to fight against vicious opponents.

Conduct in battle as prescribed by the Gita: A balance disposition towards pleasure and pain, gain and loss and victory and defeat. Warriors should be free of passion and hatred and instead exhibit restraint.

War is an attitude as described by Thomas Hobbes. War is also meant a state of affairs, which may exist even while its operations are not continued.

How do we perceive war?

It is happening at all levels. We are fighting each other, because of our overwhelming needs for territory, water and fuel. Our earth is depleting of its resources and we are avid consumers. We are unthinking of what will happen after us. There is no virtue in our battles, we are all vicious and predatory.

Some quotes about war

War is what happens when language fails. – Margaret Atwood

Know thyself, know thy enemy. A thousand battles and a thousand victories. – Sun Tzu

Be aware, reflective and self-observatory, then we can overcome the state of war. Practice Atmabhava, love for our fellow beings.

Aim Hrim Klim

 

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