Parakalein

I was listening to NPR this morning and heard a scientist talking about the movement of vegetation from the sea to earth where there was mostly stone and little soil.  She spoke of the concept of mutual benefit of the decomposing plant into the composition of soil.  I thought of my compose pile.

I then thought how unique that in this mutual cooperation both benefit.

I wondered, what if apparent conflicts in every sphere or phase of life found a way to see benefit in giving to and receiving from each other.  Conflict exists not to perpetuate conflict but to promote coalescence through healthy cooperation, mutual valuing, and meaningful competition.

Conflict is transformed into the soil of living when we see conflict as an invitation to "Mutual Beneficence" not "Individual Dominance".

Competition would not be eliminated but enhanced as its focus would be each others improvement and enhancement like two tennis players playing so competitively that they both get better.  Competition would then be about mutual improvement not about exclusive conquest.

This is the essence of spirituality.  All people, all creation, and all parts seeing value, meaning, and mandate not to eliminate one in favor of the other but to embrace all in favor of all.  When I learn to practice "mutual beneficence" I see with alliance not dominance, I act with acceptance not judgment, and I live in peace not in reaction to threat.  "As much as in you is possible live in peace with all people/things".  This Biblical injunction invites and instructs "mutual beneficence".  Jesus words so similar to many other esoterics, "Love your enemies, one another", and all things in and around you.

Mutual beneficence benefits us all and is something we can all give.  It sees good, gives, good, receives good and is the essence of goodness in and for all!

"And God saw everything that was made and said, it is very good!"  Genesis 1:31