Never trust those who claim they cast no shadow

 It is in these times,
that it is most important,
to admit to yourself,
that you are not an altruist.

That whatever evil exists out in the world,
always exists as a potential within you.

If you can't imagine a scenario where you would
steal, rape, kill, or lie or cheat to win, or whatever atrocity,
you haven't been paying attention,
and
you still have much of yourself,
 and of history,
 to study.

It isn't a judgement about you,
or your personality,
it is about the nature and physics of your biology.

It is the fate of all those who continually choose to pursue and be fueled by truth,
that when they are faced or threatened by evil,
that they themselves are most vulnerable and open to being seduced.

Think back in your life,
when have you felt that thing rise in you that you know would cause harm or pain to another?

Look at the evil men of our times and of history.
They were victims,
little, loveless, seeds, 
tortured and dehumanized by their parents,
who then grew up and victimized the world.

A perverted alchemy,
they strive to make the world match,
their internal state of damnation and hate.

We must remember,
that WE
each one of us,
are the gate.

Even though, the space where we are able to choose can feel instantaneously miniscule,
it is always there.

And if you have never prayed,
this might just be the perfect place.
To take a moment now,
to speak silently and softly,
to all the cells and intelligence within,
as well as any greater intelligences which may be around,

Now is the time to rally and fortify,
And in those flashing moments where we can choose,
please help guide us to always take the action or choice,
which serves and or celebrates

Love, Peace, Truth.

Not death,
not fear,
not justice,
not family,
not self,
not country,
 not glory,
but:

 Love, Peace, Truth.

Let me hear their symphony loudest,
when all seems to be coming undone,
When hate is at every turn...
Allow me to continue,
To choose

Love, Peace, Truth.

which is to choose Life,
which is to choose Liberty,
not just for me and mine,
but for everyone,
everywhere,
everything.
In Infinite Diversity.

The Dove of Love
The Phoenix of Peace
The Turtle of Truth

In each is also its shadow.

For when the Dove flys away,
many times,
 hate takes its place.

When The Phoenix is slain,
Peace spontaneously switches,
unleashing unregulated primal fire and power and rage.

And when the Turtle refuses to risk its neck,
all truths are but
self-referential,
unverifiable
dreams, illusions, and fantasy.

Do you see?

You cannot have the one without the pressure of the possibility of the other.
To fool yourself, that you can,
leads to your own self-made disaster.

You must always stand as the first vanguard unto yourself.