Attacks and Attackers – Part 1

“…what if the soul is so much attacked by others that the body becomes ill and they have no other option but to leave? I ask this because sometimes the soul is forced to leave not because they lived unhealthy or work was finished but because their cycle was cut short. Those who attack simply move on to the next victim. Therefore I would also like to ask what can be done for souls like these who have been decimated in their existence and died because of this? Thank you in advance for your reply and blessings.”  L. L.

As odd as this may sound, your question and view are both coming from a very human perspective within a very human paradigm.  In essence, you’re applying human standards and understanding to an issue that isn’t really what it seems.

As human beings on this Earth, we have a paradigm of experiencing “attacks”.  There are verbal attacks, physical attacks, emotional, psychological, financial, electronic, … etc.  even “self-attacks”.  As human beings, we have experiences of being attacked and being the ones doing the attacking.

As long as we continue with the way of thinking that we are humans in a physical world, attacks and attacking will be part of our human lives and human deaths.  As long as “attacking” is part of our perspective and paradigm, we will continue to participate in both sides of this “attack” issue for a long time.

However, to understand this issue more, let’s take a look at it in a different way.  Let’s take a look at the thought and belief of “attacking and being attacked”.  The “attack” paradigm sets one being against another.  This view can only exist in the human world.  This view is not the reality of what is referred to as the spiritual or non-physical world, because the spiritual/non-physical world doesn’t really work the way the human/physical world works.

The real issue here is who is the attacker and who are we attacking.  We, ourselves, our own personal selves – attack – ourselves.   We are the attackers and we are the attacked of our self as the attacker.  We do so while pointing the finger of blame at others – saying “You are attacking me” or words and thoughts to that effect.  (We do this for specific reasons which I won’t get into at this time.)

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It is a true statement that the person who is 100% completely at peace with themselves is not attacked by anyone.  In other words, a person who does not attack themselves, in turn, does not attack others, and also in turn, does not hold the attack idea when dealing with others.  This is because “attacking” is not a part of this one’s paradigm.  Another person’s actions usually perceived as “attacking” become recognized only to be an attack upon themselves.  In this case, what do we do when we see someone attacking – beating up – harming themselves?

Who among us can say that any of us are completely at peace with ourselves?  And in asking this, who among us can say to ourselves, that we are 100% honest about how we treat ourselves – attacking or any other behavior towards ourselves?

Who among us never thinks anything critical and judgmental about ourselves?  Who among us never says anything critical and judgmental about ourselves – our bodies, our looks, our behavior, our stature, our culture, how we treat others, what we think about others or our place in society, or … anything?  Who among us doesn’t beat ourselves up, when we’re upset with ourselves or someone else?  Who among us looks in the mirror and completely accepts ourselves for who we are – with love in our hearts and the peace that passes understanding inside our souls? And can then know that this is true even deep within the subconscious, and the full consciousness of their full Self?

It is true for ourselves, as well, that “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone” applies to how we think, feel, and treat ourselves.  If you think it’s not true, then answer this question – When was the last time you carried on a conversation or thought up an argument or fight inside your own mind with someone (or yourself) in your mind with criticisms, judgment, anger or condemning insults being a part of this event in your mind? The conversation/fight/argument is happening in our own consciousness/mind between one part of our self and another part of our self.  Both sides of the conversation (the fight, argument, criticisms, etc.) are our self.  We are condemning ourselves, judging ourselves, criticizing ourselves, beating ourselves up, and all of this is 24/7, because we live with ourselves 24/7.

If we are attacking ourselves within our own subconscious or unconscious, then what does it matter if we stop someone else from attacking us – we will be continuing to do it to ourselves.  If we learn to stop attacking ourselves or anyone else, from deep within our own consciousness, via accepting, forgiving, being merciful, understanding, being patient and kind towards ourselves as well as towards others, then what does it matter what another soul chooses to do with their mind, heart and soul that appears to be against us.  In the end, our changes will bring in Light that will also be present for them, when they’re ready to choose Light.

As Christ said to Peter along the shore after Christ rose when Peter asked about others, “Peter, you don’t worry about them, I’ll worry about them.  You follow me.”  It is our task to follow in the footsteps of the One who is the Infinite Peace – who is the Infinite Loving Kindness.

I’m not saying don’t worry about those you see attacked.  I’m saying we are called to change in order to stop being the attackers of our self and others, and in turn, learn that as we let go of attacking ourselves, we are also letting go of attacking others.  In the human Earth, when we let go of attacking other humans or other beings of any kind, those other beings lose their illusions of attacking eventually, also.

And those that come forth into our presence for any reason who are lost in the illusion of attacking, we then can pray, “God Bless All Life in all forms, and all that are here with us for any reason, and in any context, and in Your Infinite awareness.  God Bless Us All in all ways, now and for all time.”

If we’re so busy attacking ourselves (and others) in our own mind, heart and subconscious, then no amount of “psychic kung fu” will do anything to protect us from anyone outside ourselves, when the real attack is coming from our self inside ourselves.

If we are intent on believing that we (and others) should be attacked, and then continuing to attack ourselves (and others) within our own consciousness, and seek to fulfill our own attack, then we will find and latch onto others that will carry this out alongside us.  Like attracts like – attackers attract attackers.

Is this going to take some time to heal?  Oh, my God, Yes!  But, the axiom is true – “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”  How do we change this?  Forgiveness – of ourselves and others for the things over which we assign guilt.  Letting go of judgment – of ourselves and others for the things we’ve decided to judge.  Being aware when we criticize others and ourselves over things that we heretofore considered worthy of criticizing.  Patience – towards ourselves and others while knowing that with God all things are possible … even forgiving, letting go, being patient and kind, and changing ourselves.

We are called to know ourselves.  This includes knowing our own subconscious, so that we may let go of attack thoughts and attack behaviors.  We are a cosmos unto ourselves, and as such have much to learn about who we are within ourselves.  But, we have eternity to do this.

“We can escape from the world that we see by giving up attack thoughts.” The Course in Miracles

“Remember, those that are prayed for have God in their presence more than those that are not prayed for.” (The Rainbow Cards, ©, 1995-2015, Jodie Senkyrik)

PS.  I expect questions with this topic.  It is vast in its scope and not comprehensively explained in only one article.  I left a lot of loose ends untied.

6 thoughts on “Attacks and Attackers – Part 1

  1. A beautiful and profound post. Thank you very much for beginning a discussion on such an important matter.

    As someone who has recently has recently had the good fortune to meet some profound Buddhist teachings, I wish to add to this discussion what I’ve learned.

    In Buddhism, it is said that whatever happens on the outside is just a manifestation of the inside. Our intentions create karma that in turn shape our body, universe, milieu and situations. The outside is just a mirror that reflects the inside.

    Thus, Buddhist teachings also stress patience, mindfulness, forgiveness, introspection and mindfulness.

    If we meet insults, contention or other unpleasant experiences, it is not the fault of the aggressor, but actually our own. The reason is that they are simply a manifestation of our heart. If we have no roots or thoughts of contention or insulting speech in our heart, this would not happen. Thus, by wiping away our greed, hatred or ego with kindness, virtue and forgiveness, we eradicate our past/current evil karma and habits and change the outside for the better.

    I have also read a true account of a Buddhist practitioner who was once stuck in a difficult situation, accompanied by many irate people. At first, he blamed everyone else. However, he remembered the Buddha’s words that the volition of the heart dictates the external and afterwards repented and recited Amita Buddha with equanimity. In his heart, he turned around and felt contrite for allowing his own egoism and impure thoughts to shape situations that cause everyone inconvenience.

    As soon as he did so, the difficult situation resolved by itself and the irate people were calmed down. The outside is just like a mirror, if the form changes (i.e. change of heart), the reflection must change as well.

    This is why when virtuous people are reborn in the heavenly realms, they enjoy only bliss and do not have to deal with difficult people or hard situations at all. Because their virtuous habits have matured and the world outside (i.e. the mirror) naturally reflects their kindness and lack of aggression.

    Moreover, this is why the Buddha taught that those who seek to change their current fortunes should practice generosity, forgiveness and virtue. In thinking kindly and creating happiness for others, our heart changes for the better and will thus no longer generate and attract unpleasantness.

    I hope this presents an additional perspective on the topic.

    Namo Amitabha.

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  2. I can really relate to is this ever going to heal- in this lifetime I have understood the missed opportunities- that kept me on the merry go round- of trying do hard to heal my marriage that failed and trying so hard to heal the fragmented relationships between my daughter and be- my son and my daughter my son and his father- I kept trying on all levels spiritually emotionally for this to occur even after many years of a marriage that ended in divorce yet what actually healed this situation that took many years in this lifetime for me to finally – step aside and day- I forgive myself – and the resentment that I held disappeared in seconds – and turned to forgiveness of self and that change within me created a total shift with be and my former husband that did not hold him responsible for the hurt or sadness or disappointment in him as a husband and father- once this occurred in seconds- that took almost my we tire existence as a adukt this time around – changed because I felt abd saw things differently – it was like the dots were all connected for me- and now many healings took place almost at once my son and daughter , my son and his father, my daughter and me and my gurner husband and me- it was like all the tension and drama ended- what felt lije seconds but took years- I forgave myself – and that is how I ended this cycle – yet how many thousands of ripples are there-it seems endless- I do feel this healing within me and tge. My family has given me freedom to step forward to love myself more and feel the freedom of faith that there coukd now after many years still be a new romance in my life- since my heart has more space – to love me and welcome new love I to my heart and life to attract like- in romance- yet it has taken years for me- and it is not easy – prayer energy healing- more prayer and more healing was very present thru out this pricess Diane Collett Greenblatt

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  3. Hi Jodi!
    Love your posts, but this last one…. gave me a headache with all the twists and turns btwn Christianity and Buddhism and not sure what else. So, for me, it’s not complicated. Love God above all things and love each other as God loves you. The second one, love each other as God loves you is probably one of the most difficult, especially when one has been wronged and/or attacked. We have the right to defend ourselves, however the manner in which we choose to do so…..well, therein lies the issue. We can go all Zen and acknowledge that the person who is attacking you is really attacking themselves etc, and that’s all fine in hindsight, but in the moment, when your livelihood, career, your good name and yes, maybe your life is at stake….we all do what we feel is right.
    I worked with a woman who just loved nothing better than creating chaos, dissension and derision. She lied and verbally attacked those who worked under her. I kinda figured her out pretty quickly, and maneuvered around the crazy as best that I could. Picked my battles carefully and stood up for myself when she went too far. It got so bad, that I was waking up, sick to my stomach at the prospect of going to work. That was when I knew it was time to walk away without another job to go to. It was that bad. That was a year and a half ago. Do I hate her:No. Do I wish evil upon her: No, but I won’t lie, when I hear from a few co-workers about her antics, I thank God I left; Do I blame her because I have not been able to find work? Of course not, it was my decision to leave. IMHO, all this Karma stuff comes down to how you respond to whatever comes your way. Basically the Golden Rule. Yes, some people are rude, inconsiderate, angry, vengeful, hateful etc that have nothing to do with you….. Your just in their line of fire at that particular moment and to dismiss their behavior and suggest you have a part in it, thus relieving them of taking responsibility, I just don’t buy it. I respectfully disagree. We are all responsible for our actions and the intent behind them and the thing to do is to forgive whomever with your whole heart, not hold a grudge and learn from the experience.

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    • “Love your posts, but this last one…. gave me a headache with all the twists and turns btwn Christianity and Buddhism and not sure what else..”

      Donegalgirl,

      Actually, Christianity, Buddhism and the main world religions are quite related and have profound shared roots.

      I recommend that you watch this short interview with Dharma Master Chin Kung titled: All Religions are Brothers:

      It is in Chinese but has excellent subtitles in English.

      I hope you find this interesting.

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    • Just a little note about one thing you wrote: the question for us is not what religion do we believe in – Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam. The question for us is what God do we believe in. Do we believe that there is One God and that God is God of all? Then it doesn’t matter which religion we talk or study or share or learn or explore, because any religion which teaches there is but One God leads to the One God. Look for the Christ Spirit under any name with any followers inside any religion that teaches of the One God. In the same way that only a small percentage of the world’s people speak English and all of the other hundreds of languages, only a small percentage of the world’s people follow each different religion.

      With regards to defending ourselves – if we see ourselves being attacked, then we hold the attack/defend paradigm in our consciousness. If we are part of that paradigm and seek to participate in one side – either attack or defend, remember we cannot participate in one side without also participating in the other side. No matter how many times we choose “heads” on a coin, the “tails” side comes with it. When we no longer see another person’s actions towards us as an “attack”, then we have the opportunity to see deeper into the person and what may really be happening for them and for us. Remember, an injured animal, desperately suffering in pain, also “attacks.”
      It’s not easy, and we may not be able to move completely to this state of consciousness, but it is an ideal to work towards.

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