It is no surprise that fear births disrespect, but that disrespect is the driver of most disagreements is an ever-deepening newbie to me. To respond to disrespect with no response is even newer, ever deeper. Example being the spiritual advice for what to do when we're not being heard or are feeling heckled and jeered...shake the dust off your feet and move on.
Oh, yeah...it's not what happens to us, it's our reaction to it.
My long-held belief is that all disagreements, all arguments, all wars start with self-centered fear, and face it, what other kind is there?
Self-centered fear, the mother of disrespect, breeds in what Goldsmith calls the part that makes the 'belly bitter.' That is our refusal to believe that we are wrong or, worse, our unconscious suspicion that the other is right.
The answer is right there in front of us, find something here to agree with. Until we know this personally, realize it from our toenails up, we will wait for the other side to be the first to "come to the table" lest we be seen as the loser.
The spiritual secret? To be unafraid of being seen as a loser is the peace we seek...unfathomable to the reasoning mind.
The death of disrespect is the birth of respect...and/or love and laughter.
Thank you.
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