Day, Interior, Home Office

Day, interior, home office of AUGUST. He sits in front of a huge computer screen set on a wood desk. A steaming mug of coffee is the only other accoutrement visible. He is typing with obvious gusto a document that we see over his shoulder. 

LECTURER

…..the argument can then be made with validity that the best argument is no argument at all. There is no need to take sides, even when the circumstance - in traditional situations - calls for response, a counter or debate. All that is necessary, in this approach, is one’s willingness to do two things: One, to stay present, and two, to be wiling to love. That’s it. And while at first glance this may seem overly simplistic, having spent ten years in its practice, I can tell you that it is one of the most difficult things to actually do. The successful execution of presence and love. Will…

The lecturer is rudely cut-off by a male attendee in the front row of auditorium seats. 

ATTENDEE

…will get you a loss in every debate, a label of pacifist, or worse yet, the contemptuous scorn of both your employer and your competition. 

There is audible murmuring from the audience, seemingly split 50/50 for/against. The scene is now in real life, moving from the computer screen to the auditorium.

LECTURER

Excellent point, and a perfect example of the traditional methodologies and stereotypes we all have accepted as standard operating procedures. But please, allow me to ask a question. In this scenario, is there a winner? Is that the goal? What agenda do we wish to pay forward? I am asking you, please stand, you have the floor, sir. 

The attendee sheepishly stands.

ATTENDEE

I wouldn’t last five minutes with my company if I wasn’t prepared to fight for market share, growth and profit. I don’t think going with the flow, however present and loving I might be, will add to the bottom line of the giant global multi-national corporation I represent. 

LECTURER

Excellent. Perfectly normal and appropriate corporate attitude. 

Harrumphs from the audience.

LECTURER (continuing)

But I disagree with your methods, although they are the current standards of business negotiation. What would happen if, as an example, if you were to listen to the position of the competition and offer your commitment to finding a more efficient, cleaner, less destructive, non-polluting and job creating way to increase BOTH bottom lines, those of your company and that of theirs? What would happen in that scenario?

ATTENDEE

(shaking his head in mock sarcasm) I guess we would both be happy. A win/win?

LECTURER

Be present and really listen - between the lines - of what your competition is saying, so much so that they are no longer competitors, they are teammates. You, they, we, us - all are in this together. Without the needs of the people being at the heart of every decision, what you get are monopolies, corruption, and totalitarian capitalism. The rich eat steak and the people cake. They get health care and we get Oxycontin. We end up with us fighting us. The victims of this targeted political strategy, along with an overly exploited planet, are women, people of color, gays, the poor, the disenfranchised, seniors, vets and students. Those who feel left behind by the people they elected to lead them. Such a juicy paradox. 

I know it is hard to love your enemy. We might start by changing the rhetoric. If we are working together they are no longer the enemy. The first Noble Truth in Buddhism is that life is suffering, but once we accept it as such, it is no longer suffering. Because we have adjusted our view. We CAN handle the truth. It is no longer frightening. We can create a harmonious balance that gives a blue-plate victory to everyone. Even to the greedy, corrupt and power hungry. Violence is not the answer to this question. Stay present and love more. Try it and see for yourself. And continue your practice. 

Audience cheers. Attendee sits.