How to Deal with Enemies
Conflict surrounds us. We find it within ourselves, our families, our communities, our nation, and our world. Sometimes, there are winners and losers. Many times it is unclear what the result of the conflict is. But what is the source of all this conflict?
"People aren't against you, they are for themselves."
I heard this quote recently, and the answer (at least one answer) to the previous question became all too clear - self-interest. History has a never-ending supply of examples of people and groups that lie, steal, cheat, kill, scheme, and plot in the name of self-interest. Does this mean we should not seek to better ourselves? That self-interest is always a bad thing?
Enter an unexpected example: anime.
In this show, the young protagonist, Yukihira Soma, faces off in cooking battles a la over-the-top Iron Chef. The conflict is always heated. Opponents are insulting, diabolical, and utterly bent on totally destroying Soma. He always remains calm, using the insults as fuel to drive him to improve. And, ultimately, whatever the outcome, he offers his friendship to his foe, immediately disarming the person who, before that moment, was determined to be his enemy.
It reminds me of so many stories of Abdu'l-Baha, often and fondly remembered as the Master. He and his family lived in exile and imprisonment for decades, for following the teachings of his father, Baha'u'llah. These teachings included the oneness of humanity, education for all, and the equality of men and women.
Here is one such story from his time in the prison city of Akka:
"When the Master came to ‘Akká there lived there a certain man from Afghanistan [Haji Siddiq], an austere and rigid Mussulman [Muslim]. To him the Master was a heretic. He felt and nourished a great enmity towards the Master, and roused up others against him. When opportunity offered in gatherings of the people, as in the Mosque, he denounced him with bitter words.
‘This man,’ he said to all, ‘is an imposter. Why do you speak to him? Why do you have dealings with him?’ And when he passed the Master on the street he was careful to hold his robe before his face that his sight might not be defiled. Thus did the Afghan. The Master, however, did thus: The Afghan was poor and lived in a mosque; he was frequently in need of food and clothing. The Master sent him both. These he accepted, but without thanks. He fell sick. The Master took him a physician, food, medicine, money. These, also, he accepted; but as he held out one hand that the physician might take his pulse, with the other he held his cloak before his face that he might not look upon the Master. For twenty-four years the Master continued his kindnesses and the Afghan persisted in his enmity.
Then at last one day the Afghan came to the Master’s door, and fell down, penitent and weeping, at his feet. ‘Forgive me, sir!’ he cried. ‘For twenty-four years I have done evil to you, for twenty-four years you have done good to me. Now I know that I have been in the wrong.’ The Master bade him rise, and they became friends."
"People aren't against you, they are for themselves."
I heard this quote recently, and the answer (at least one answer) to the previous question became all too clear - self-interest. History has a never-ending supply of examples of people and groups that lie, steal, cheat, kill, scheme, and plot in the name of self-interest. Does this mean we should not seek to better ourselves? That self-interest is always a bad thing?
Enter an unexpected example: anime.
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| Food Wars: Shokugeki No Soma |
It reminds me of so many stories of Abdu'l-Baha, often and fondly remembered as the Master. He and his family lived in exile and imprisonment for decades, for following the teachings of his father, Baha'u'llah. These teachings included the oneness of humanity, education for all, and the equality of men and women.
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| Abdu'l-Baha as a young man, circa 1868 |
Here is one such story from his time in the prison city of Akka:
"When the Master came to ‘Akká there lived there a certain man from Afghanistan [Haji Siddiq], an austere and rigid Mussulman [Muslim]. To him the Master was a heretic. He felt and nourished a great enmity towards the Master, and roused up others against him. When opportunity offered in gatherings of the people, as in the Mosque, he denounced him with bitter words.
‘This man,’ he said to all, ‘is an imposter. Why do you speak to him? Why do you have dealings with him?’ And when he passed the Master on the street he was careful to hold his robe before his face that his sight might not be defiled. Thus did the Afghan. The Master, however, did thus: The Afghan was poor and lived in a mosque; he was frequently in need of food and clothing. The Master sent him both. These he accepted, but without thanks. He fell sick. The Master took him a physician, food, medicine, money. These, also, he accepted; but as he held out one hand that the physician might take his pulse, with the other he held his cloak before his face that he might not look upon the Master. For twenty-four years the Master continued his kindnesses and the Afghan persisted in his enmity.
Then at last one day the Afghan came to the Master’s door, and fell down, penitent and weeping, at his feet. ‘Forgive me, sir!’ he cried. ‘For twenty-four years I have done evil to you, for twenty-four years you have done good to me. Now I know that I have been in the wrong.’ The Master bade him rise, and they became friends."
-Excerpt from Centre of the Covenant pg 101
Just think how ourselves, our families, our communities, our nation, and our world might be different if we took the example of the Master (and the master chef) to heart.
"You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred."
"You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred."
-Abdu'l-Baha circa 1912
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