Drama v. Conflict

Conflict is something I oftentimes like. I love watching people try to squirm into the higher ground of an argument. It's the darkness in me that knows that conflict produces growth.

From a Jedi perspective, conflict is something we try to resolve. And, the process of resolving conflict can come in many ways. Hashing out ideas is one thing, but getting in arguments that go in circles is another. It's a pointless exercise in the end, don't you know? While I enjoy conflict, I find that conflict for conflict's sake is also unbecoming... The Force Academy, a website I am active at, is a hive of conflict. It's members are often spouting out philosophicalisms to spurn debates on various points of human interest: force abilities, morality, etc. What we have to remember, as Jedi, is that Conflict is different than Drama.

Drama is rampant in the online community. In a way, I fear that many use the community as an outlet when their favorite show isn't on television. Humans are so wrapped up in stories. I have been watching the news lately, and I notice that CNN exposes stories that are conflict-ridden and sure to make people feel polarized. This is how drama gets started; people run to opposite sides of the room and throw things at each other from afar... hoping that at some point the other team will be dead. But, conflict-resolution shows that in this way, not the RIGHT idea wins... but the strongest and most belligerent.

How is it, then, that conflict is to be dealt with when Drama arises? Easy, come to the MIDDLE of the room and talk with each other. Leave extremist ideals behind and try to remove the personal issues from the problem.

Of course, I say it's easy. The process itself is easy. Human ego oftentimes gets in the way. Trolls cause drama not because they care about the community, but because they want to show off their own accomplishments rather than contribute. I don't want to point out any in particular, but I'm sure you've seen them around.

I'd like to offer this advice to people seeking conflict resolution: check yourself to make sure you aren't ascribing to any extremist values. I beg of you to take a middle view. Sounds very Buddhist, I know, but it makes sense to me. I resonate with the idea of not being extreme.

Think about your emotions for a second. Why do they exist? Is it to feel? Is it intrinsic? I don't think so. I find that emotions exist to show our mind changing views in our selves. Emotions are reactive. They come from the action being presented to the person. So, when I am feeling sad, it is because I am in a deviation from balance. And, that's what it all comes down to: balance. Emotions are there to pull us away from balance, so we can see the imbalance and try to fix it... Emotion; yet peace.

Arguments are the same thing. In arguing, we pick sides. They teach us to argue one point in school.

Ponder this yourself: Are you somebody who takes extreme sides every day? Somebody who worships conflict?

Meditate on this, and see if it is because you have some insecurities, reacting to some past trauma that keeps you from being balanced.