Not me

We are quick to see violence in others, slow to see it in ourselves. Humanity is steeped in violence. Are we not human? Where in the teapot is there no taste of tea? Ambition is violence. Winning is violence. Sport and fandom are violent. Wanting is violence. Pornography, politics, poverty and religion are violent. Putting the young in uniforms, training them to kill—this is not violence? Our penitentiaries legalize criminal behaviour in the name of good government. Women are paid less than we are. Our daughters are assaulted, raped, murdered, disappeared. But no, I am not violent. Not me.

Know yourself

If you are looking for a place to begin, start with I AM. This is Life’s most basic fact. You can dive straight into it.

I AM animates this small 162-pound mass, circulates its blood, digests its food, eliminates its waste, grows its hair and does all of the other things necessary to a normal existence. Without I AM, I’m ash in an urn.

Shouldn’t I at least begin to acquaint myself with this power?

At this point, I know this much: If I am conscious of I AM, all is well. If I am not conscious of I AM, all is not well.

I may be wise in the ways of the world. But worldly wisdom will not protect me. Calamity and misfortune will land at my door. I am not being punished. I am ignorant, is all.

I AM. Is there a higher authority? I see none other. I know none other.