Turning the Other Cheek
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Paul F. Mitchell
 November 08 2020
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    Given what appears to be an ever increasing number of social and world tensions/stresses all around us - especially with the Internet of things - and because I've seen the topic appear more frequently on the Internet, I'm once again contemplating the topic/teaching of "Turning the other cheek...".

    I think the teaching surrounding the turning away from acts of violence - physical, emotional/mental - when we are confronted with them can be a powerful philosophical/spiritual guide to life but can be disastrous if the teaching is extreme and is literal. Although I'm personally a pacifist, I would think that taken to extremes such an attempted lifestyle might not be conducive to health given certain situations people find themselves in from time-to-time.

    I've had time to think about this topic for many years because there were aspects of it I found incompatible with self-survival, self-sustenance and dignity.

    For some time now, my understanding of this concept cannot refer to a masochistic acceptance of whatever violence might be directed our way. Nor do I agree with adopting the same negative motivations, traits and actions of people I view as my enemies or people different than me. An "eye-for-an-eye" mindset's not acceptable because revenge, a tribal mentality resulting in endless and usually escalating blood feuds, only making matters worse.

    What "Turning the Other Cheek" means for me is to guard against creating similar energies and actions as those who I perceive as negative or harmful; to refrain from emulating their motivations.

    If someone performs an actual evil act against us (according to Natural Law), the only way it can be balanced is by focusing on its apparent energetic/manifest opposite:by turning the other cheek. It does not mean to masochistically refrain from self-defence but it does call for ethics and morality. Many years ago when I dedicated my life to The Lady, I realized that to protect Her, I had to start with myself because I'm the closest source of life I can protect. Awareness is the best defence.

    I will turn the other cheek away from attacking you and others as you have attacked me. Personally, I prefer to utilize the Taoist concept of 無為 :

    https://www.travelcontentcreators.com/wu-wei

    "Action through No Action" works wonderfully in relation to this excellent concept of turning the other cheek. By not matching the emotional/egotistical energies of what might be confronted, this lack of identification, this Breathing space will give the individual time to consider more productive or at least comfortable courses of action compared to what is confronting him or her.



    "turning the other cheek"
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