Conatus: THIRD EDITION by Tom Wallace - HTML preview

C O N A T U S

seeing the universe as we see it from that perspective. This is our shared, common ground, the common ground of interbeing, empathy and compassion.

No use then in criticising another’s view of the truth, or their view of what is good and right. We build up others mostly by not tearing them down! We find the right way to live by a conversation — not by trying to conform to rules or customs — far less by seeking ‘authenticity’ or living by instinct. To paraphrase Rumi — outside the place of right and wrong, there is a mountain. I’ll meet you there. Seek peace wherever we can then. Life and the universe has been gifted to us, so let’s return our gifts back to the world.

The Search for Peace

The mountaintop experience is the place of peace — in the profoundest of senses — and grace could easily be described as seeking peace, balance and harmony. Could we wish for others to be at peace with the world, for instance? Could we seek peace in our own hearts and give up conflict with others and conflict in our own heads? Peace with ourselves, peace with other people, peace with the universe at large — this just seems like the ultimate aim, the ultimate source of joy and contentment.

To work for peace is, in a way, to try to counteract the paradoxes we’ve examined above. To try to bring order out of chaos, to resist evil and work for good, to see the world from the perspective of others and not just our

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