According to Buddha Dhamma conflicts arise, within a person and amongst persons; at all levels; within a family, in society, in a country and internationally; due to two underlying common causes. The first is the failure to develop the cognitive faculties to the fullest and to see as it is the factors that cause the conflictual situation to arise. The second is the failure to comprehend its true nature.

I don't know about you put that puts conflict into perspective. Avoiding conflict in its entirety is not humanly possible. Conflict is common. However, for many years I ran from conflict, "I'll just take my toys and go home!" I still feel those feelings today! What I have learned to do is ask for help in dealing with conflicts, realizing that I do not have the congnitive faculties to handle them.

Through conflict we have opportunities to be creatively self-defining. If nothing else, conflict allows us to do things differently in the future. Through the resolution of conflict, we can, if we choose, evolve and redefine ourselves, our relationships, our community, our society and our world.

Today as I understand it the nature of conflict is differing belief systems and values resulting from participant's accumulated life experience and conditioning; and differing objectives and interests.

Without meditation I stayed in constant conflict with the world around me. Through meditation I have been given the ability to momentarily retreat to my old way, examine my shortcomings and slowly move toward resolution that begins within my own being.

Meditation affords me space. Interior space to grow! And for that I am truly grateful.