During the course of our class discussions and discussions with Zen Buddhist monk, Claude AnShin Thomas, the topic of war appeared to be a reoccurring point of dialogue. In your book Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution, in the chapter titled “Why We Love War”, you describe the origins of war as “a collective response to our collective problem with lack.” In order to fulfill this lack that you claim exists within all of us; you argue that we must first understand what truly motivates us to seek war. By discovering our motivation we will in turn be able to approach the causation with awareness for what it is and ultimately (with much hope) be able to alter it. However, a question begs to be answered. If one can become aware of the motivation that is allegedly at the core of each of us, then how can the collective whole, the ones responsible for the collective response, approach the concept of lack together? In essence, how does one spread awareness of the causation for the motivation of war? While an awareness of the interdependence that exists may be a pivotal starting point, what further steps can be taken?
"Hatred will not cease by hatred, but by love alone.
This is the ancient law."
Jesse Carlson
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