Question:

Some thoughts and questions about the Principle of Means and Ends as it relates to 9/11...

If a pit bull attacks my 2-year-old, I do what it takes to remove the immediate physical threat. I use violence to severely injure it or kill it in order to protect my child. The end I seek is a peaceful life with my family. So I realize that I have violated the principle of means and ends, but have saved my kid.

Wouldn't you agree that it would be ludicrous in that situation to make a peaceful request for the doggie to please stop, or to sit cross-legged and chant something like "All is love," "I love this pit bull just the way he is," or "Ah, I see that this perceived attacker is using his free will to express his love in the manner that is perfect for all involved?"

I am quite unsure as to how to respond to the 9/11 terrorists, but I believe that if our response on 9/12 was to simply reflect on the love and perfection of it all, the attackers certainly would have thought "Hah! They are the fools we believe them to be. Proceed to strike the next 3 targets and kill thousands more!"

Arnold, I believe in and have experienced the results of the means and ends principle, but aren't there some who are just bent on doing what they believe is right regardless of cost of human life? And shouldn't that be met with some kind of resistance because, however illusory, we value this physical life?

 

Answer:

As long as we believe that there is power outside of us that is what we experience. Pit bulls and terrorists do not arise randomly. They enter those people's lives who invite them in.

Each of us is The God Presence. It is through the ultimate and unlimited power of this Presence that we create our human "reality." What we consider "real" is just a figment of our imagination made to seem real because we are so powerful. If God were facing a pit bull, would you be concerned for God's safety? Well, each of us is the God Presence.

We are never "unsafe." We are never "victims." We can, however, create the seeming reality of being victimized, by using the Power of our God Presence to give ourselves that experience.

As for valuing our physical life, we truly value ourselves by being clear who we really are. Seeing our limitations as real is valuing illusion. Accepting and appreciating ourselves as The God Presence is placing our valuing where we benefit the most. Are you worthy of any less than that?

The next question is how do you value yourself more? I suggest that you read THE JOURNEY for the answer to that question as well as a more detailed answer to your questions. You may also gain more insights by scrolling back through answers to other questions at this website.