The ‘war within’: ethical and spiritual responsibilities to children in an age of terror and consumerism

Abstract

What does it mean to live in global times of terror? What are our responsibilities to children in such times? This paper draws attention to how war and terror are internal states that express themselves externally. With reference to Asian wisdom traditions, and specifically the Bhagavad Gita, it suggests that spiritual insight into our fundamental anxiety around our perception of an inherent existential groundlessness provides possibilities for identifying and negotiating the war within. Contemplative practice offers a productive means for acquiring embodied insight. From this educative insight, we can clarify our responsibilities to children.

Keywords:

• war
• spirituality
• Asian wisdom

Acknowledgements

My thanks to Zehavit Gross for inviting me to contribute to this important special issue. My thanks also to Cliff Therou for his feedback on an earlier draft of the paper.

Notes

1. For the purposes of this paper, I am drawing upon different ancient wisdom traditions, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Vedic philosophy. While similarities and influences among these abound (as this paper emphasises), it is vital to stay cognisant of their differences. Even within one tradition, such as Buddhism, there are numerous different traditions, and within these sub‐traditions, further different groupings still.

2. Here I deliberately deploy a feminine metaphor in order to recognise a generative connection between site of birth and earth. In tai chi, however, there is also the more genderless recognition of the Dantian or Dan Tien, the physical centre of gravity and balance located in the abdomen (just below and behind the navel). It is the seat of one’s internal energy. In yoga philosophy, it is the location of the Manipura (the place of jewels), or navel chakra.