I was listening to a great talk by James O'Dea on transforming conflict through four sacred skills of peacemaking (see
http://theshiftnetwork.com/course/JamesODea/intro/recording) and something struck me about accessing energies to sustain the peacemaker.
James says that in his peacebuilding he is always "aware of the dimensions of the problem but not inside the problem." Called the cycle of violence, these energies of war are fear, disconnection, destruction and do not, in and of themselves, have the capacity for regeneration. Using negativity, anger and even violence (in our hearts or externally) will lead to more of the same in this cycle. Hope and life do not grow from this path.
James comments that "entropy is inside the problem and the energy is inside the solution." A focus on peace draws on the energies of possibility that are infinitely available for sustaining creativity and innovation.. A vision toward reconciliation gives access to unlimited potential for transformation.
