Neutrality or fence-sitting?
I’ve never been a fan of conflict and have always shied away from taking sides. For a long time I equated this with cowardice and indecision on my part, and I’m sure there was an element of that. Recently I’ve wondered though, and hoped that it’s something more than just sitting on the fence. I’ve had some thought-provoking experiences and conversations this summer which have prompted me to reflect on responses to conflict further and to begin to see neutrality less as a passive cop-out and more as a (pro)active stance. There’s alot of talk in Engaged Buddhism about neutrality in conflict and some pretty good writings on the subject. At the moment I’m trying to apply a bit of mindful introspection to my own approaches to anger and conflict. I’m doing a bit of reading too. One day I might even work out what it is I think about it all. Then maybe I’ll be less reticent and less embarrassed about my stance…
