Sunday, February 1, 2009

What is the opposite of conflict?

(originally posted Friday, March 9, 2007)

The opposite of conflict is not peace. The opposite of conflict is indifference. Or withdrawal posing as indifference.
Peace is a dynamic process that encompasses conflict, and keeps it at manageable levels. Peace cannot be conflict free, for when we are at peace we are actively engaged – with the world, with each other, with ourselves. Conflict is an integral part of engagement.
To have no conflict is to be disengaged, indifferent. Not moved by the contradictions between what we want and what we get.
The question is never, can we live without conflict? It must always be, can we manage conflicts peaceably?
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