Following up on the original post - it may be useful to remain mindful of which side of the Love/Winlose - Winlose/Love polarity we're playing out at any given time, as we go through our day. We all know, I think, how Love feels, and how irritating Winlose/Losewin feels. And if we realize that even Win carries Lose with it, the choice becomes even clearer.
But then catalyst comes up. People's actions will often pull us strongly towards Winlose/Losewin. Someone makes an antagonizing move and our ego leaps up to respond in kind, even if only with anger and resentment -- but even if we don't aggress, we're still in the conflict-ridden mind-space.
Egos are very sensitive to perceived aggression, and don't understand Love. Egos enjoy getting sucked into conflict and try to gain the upper hand. Which is also the lower hand, unfortunately (Win/Lose = Lose/Win) but egos don't get that. They're part of social animal consciousness, steeped in hierarchy, social status and survival needs. So if we want to be free, this is where Spirit needs to step in and gently redirect us back toward the path of harmony - even with those who would choose to attempt to suck us into their ego-games. Especially with them.
Hence, love thy enemies. Because then, as Laozi apparently realized, you will have no enemies.
But then catalyst comes up. People's actions will often pull us strongly towards Winlose/Losewin. Someone makes an antagonizing move and our ego leaps up to respond in kind, even if only with anger and resentment -- but even if we don't aggress, we're still in the conflict-ridden mind-space.
Egos are very sensitive to perceived aggression, and don't understand Love. Egos enjoy getting sucked into conflict and try to gain the upper hand. Which is also the lower hand, unfortunately (Win/Lose = Lose/Win) but egos don't get that. They're part of social animal consciousness, steeped in hierarchy, social status and survival needs. So if we want to be free, this is where Spirit needs to step in and gently redirect us back toward the path of harmony - even with those who would choose to attempt to suck us into their ego-games. Especially with them.
Hence, love thy enemies. Because then, as Laozi apparently realized, you will have no enemies.
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