Working for Peace

I very much enjoy learning about various religious principles and practices. In the article “Working for Peace”, Hanh explains that in Buddhism, the pursuit of awareness is imperative. That is such a thought provoking statement. If nothing more, our existence should be driven by the quest of knowledge.
I appreciated how he personified the trees, rivers, planet, and the sun, making everything seem more alive. He describes us as being focused on the small body (our own physical embodiment) while obliterating the large self (everything around us). I just attended Annie Leornard’s “The Story of Stuff” and that statement has never seemed so true. We are gradually destroying our planet with a focus on the individual where we should be focusing on future preservation.
Hanh also explains that people typically focus on one side of a situation. Too often we see what we want to see. Such a view can truly inhibit our ability to attain awareness. Hanh therefore encourages people to try to acknowledge and understand both sides of a given disagreement.
I learned from this writing that I should open my mind and think about the implications of both sides. One should try and consider the personal experiences of others and how that has impacted their current actions and behaviors.