My Take On Activism and Activists:
Stop Resisting and Start Embracing
by Yahya Abdul Rahman- Nov 8, 2006
"All that you achieve and all that you fail to achieve is the direct result of your own thoughts." - James Allen
Many people will openly admit that a great source of their daily stress is the news. Despite this fact, they still feel compelled to watch, read or listen to the news on a regular basis. Many go to the extreme of inundating themselves with numerous news items every single day. The reasons for this varies, but most people will say they want to keep informed about what is taking place in the world, but also feel guilty or irresponsible if they just tune out altogether. They are driven to know and are driven to act upon what they know. In doing this, however, they are unwittingly making themselves sick, filling their lives with anger and conflict and, ironically, not really making that much of a change. When one is in such a condition, they are not in a good position to really help others as they are taken up too much with their own personal suffering.
From my vantage point the problem lies in people's thinking. Such people I have just described are actively resisting that which they don't want and, in the process, are actually empowering that which they oppose. There must be a better way, and fortunately there is.
I suggest we stop resisting and start embracing.
In order for us to bring about the change that we all seek we need to first let go of wanting to change it. As long as we are in a mode of opposition or a desire to control the situation, the more we actually perpetuate, strengthen and ensure its continued existence. If we begin by accepting the world as it is without trying to change it we are in a much better position to project love, understanding and compassion to others. Is this not the world we all wish for?
Additionally, instead of resisting that which we do not want, it is more powerful and more effective to imagine the world they way we want it to be. This is a significant shift in thinking where one is not actually resisting, but embracing into their thoughts and emotions what kind of world they would like to live in. It is also a much more peaceful way to live.
Also, it is important to release any contrary feelings or thoughts that say that which you desire cannot and will not happen. Such thoughts merely generate and send out negative energy. Truly believe that what you desire is in the realm of the possibility and don't accept no for an answer.
When we are anti something we are actually holding that something in our mind. In fact, our anti feelings are sometimes stronger than those who are for the thing. When we remain in this strong mode of opposition we are sending energy to that thing or situation we oppose and actually supporting its creation.
Remember, the human mind only creates in pictures. It does not understand the "I don't want" or "not" or "never," etc., and thus ignores these words. When we say, for example, "I don't want" pain or war or disease etc., the mind ignores the "I don't want" part and only concentrates on the pain or war or disease etc. And like a magnet it is drawn to us and manifests into a full blown reality. In essence, thoughts become things.
Think Salman Rushdie. In 1988 he wrote a book titled The Satanic Verses. Members of the Muslim community became upset about the book's contents and message and Khomeini called for his assassination and a price was placed on Rushdie's head. The book would not have gotten any notice at all if it were not for the reaction against it, but when opposition against it was generated Rushdie was destined to be a very rich man and the backlash against the community is still lasting until this very day.
Or think about the offensive caricatures of the prophet Muhammad published by the Danish newspaper recently. Once again there was a mass opposition and the news of it spread throughout the world. This opposition gave the caricatures free publicity and were re-published in several other newspapers and all over the internet.
This is merely two of literally hundreds of examples of how we empower that which we resist.
I suggest that instead of being anti-racism, be pro equality. Instead of being anti pollution, be pro-environment. Instead of being anti-war, be pro peace. Instead of being anti-poverty, be pro-prosperity and abundance for everyone. Instead of being anti-Harper, Blair or Bush, be pro their opponents etc....
In essence, hold in your thoughts those solutions to what you want to see accomplished and not the problem itself, as that which you give thought to- whether you oppose it or not- empowers it. Begin by embracing that which you desire and you will find greater peace in your life as your energies are no longer utilized for resistance.
We all want to help others and make this world a better place, but we must begin with ourselves and re-orienting our thoughts about things. When you do so you will see a great transformation in yourself as well as those around you.