The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
In this world, it may seem as though violence is part of the natural order. In fact, the forces that are used as foundational concepts include polarity, natural separation, attraction and repulsion. Atomic force is taught to either bind particles or expel them. Why then would we be surprised to see the same behavior happening on a human level, on a tribal level, or even a national level? It should be known that violence in its most simple form is judgment; in turn judgment is measure.
A woman decided to rank how much she was loved by each or her three children. She asked the children each to bring her a gift. By estimating the value of the gift, she would decide which child loved her the most. One child gave a jewel and this was valued the highest, another child gave a golden ring and this was valued almost as high. One child drew a picture of all of them happy and together and this was not valued as highly. This child who gave the drawing asked her Mother, why do you not love me as much? Even if she had valued the drawing higher, the other children may have asked the same question. You see, it was the Mother’s judgment, her measure of the value of gifts that caused feelings of being unloved among her children.
It is possible for us to let go of judgment. By letting go of our desires we can let go of the concept of measure and find peace. Although creation and destruction are constant in this world, nothing needs to be made or unmade, nothing needs to be transferred or stored, and nothing needs to be hidden or revealed in order for us to love completely. If you can, if just for a moment, try to liberate yourself from all desire you will come to understand this freedom and understand the fallacy of judgment. Without it, there is no attack, and without attack there is no violence. This liberation is waiting for you beneath the facade of the craving self.
Zen Momentum 