The Source of Violence

Here's the September edition of the Chaplain's Corner
by Pastor Dave, SCYL Chaplain

Perhaps as a reflection of this diffused global violence, I have been noticing in the movies coming out of Hollywood these days an extremely high degree of violence. Shooting, killing, car chases and destruction fill hours and hours of movie time. On top of all this violence, movies today often depict anti-heroes. I can’t help but think that the effect of these hours of violence, crime and adrenaline can’t have a good effect on the viewers.

Violence and fighting all come from the lower level of our personalities, called the natural level. This level of human personality is concerned with meeting the needs of the self first. This means gratifying the senses, and the body’s needs, eating, clothing, shelter, financial security, and self-protection from any threats—emotional or physical. When the natural level of our personality is threatened, the reaction is to preserve self at any cost. This may mean to fight and destroy anything threatening the self’s survival.

The spiritual level of our personality works against the natural level. While the natural level is formed after the world, the spiritual level is formed after heaven. While the natural level sees self first, the spiritual level sees God first. Where the natural level wants the world to bow to its needs and desires, the spiritual level wants to give to others and to serve the neighbor. While the natural level wants to control and dominate, the spiritual level seeks mutual freedom and consensual relationships.

When our spiritual level begins to rule in our personalities, we begin to know peace. To the extent that ego and selfishness recede, and we allow God into our consciousness, we begin to know bliss and peace. To the extent that we love our neighbor instead of seeing our neighbor as an enemy or as competition, we come into bliss and peace. Letting our spiritual nature rule in our personalities comes over time. It takes a lifetime. But it is worth the effort. As Swedenborg says, “The nature of the tranquility of peace is so delightful, that it surpasses every idea of delight.” (AC 92)