I HATE THAT!
How and why does one person come to "hate" another, a thing, or a deed?
If we can define the term "hate", it may be that - in good Socratic-Platonic fashion - we may be able to prepare ourselves to actually do something about the condition.
That is, of course, if we sincerely wish to do so.
It would seem that almost everyone want to do so, but the concept of hatred is deeply imbued in the human psyche, it seems, and it may take some
"doing" to eradicate it. One element of hatred is, perhaps, to be found in the fact that so many who experience it seem to actually glory in doing so and do not wish to give it up.
We often use the term rather lightly. We commonly find ourselves saying : "I hate the color purple", or a place, a gadget or, sometimes specific people. We say "we don't really mean it " the way it might sound to others, but deep down we do feel that urge, I'm sure even if in a disguised form.
By saying we "dislike" a place, idea or person, I feel, we some times exaggerate it by using the actual word "hate" instead of a more temperate substitute. It is only a small step to a lower level.
Usually, when you stop to think about it for just a few moments, we take that mode of attack - saying we "hate" something - out of Fear. We tend to protect our selves by attaching a label to others who may, in time, do us harm - or, at least, do us no favors. Hate is set up as a barrier or barricade with potential encounters in mind.
If we are ignorant of the qualities involved in making such judgments; if we do not understand the intent and purpose of others we tend to set them apart as unworthy individuals on whom we had best keep an alert eye at all times. The element of fear dictates that we defend ourselves by setting up a wall and we do so by invoking the concept that a place, a person or certain things must be excluded from our area. We say we "hate" it, and screen it away from our immediate presence as much as possible. In reality, we may “fear” such a presence.
Over coming "hatred", then would seem to have something to do with doing away with the elements of fear which cause it to grow so readily and so rapidly. It is, so often, Fear based on ignorance, too, which gives us a clue as to how to go about correcting the condition.
To overcome fear we need to earnestly seek out the Truth through patient study and the acquisition of knowledge concerning the person, place or thing we have deemed to be an object of dislike which can become hate if not quelled. Knowledge can help replace distrust and suspicion with something a bit more positive.
A.L.M. August 26, 2003 [c490wds]
