War on Peace

Recent terminology used in the press and by politicians to discuss the pandemic has reminded me of the saying 'what we resist, persists'. Paraphrased from the psychologist Carl Jung, this means when we attempt to resist anything within our reality or present, the more that thing will remain in our reality or present. The more thought, effort and energy we place on trying to stop that thing, the more power we give to it. Another way this is expressed is in the Law of Attraction. This philosophical approach states that positive thoughts (which are a form of energy or vibration) produce more positive thoughts. Conversely, negative thoughts produce more negative thoughts.

In the 70s-80s we had a War on Drugs followed by a surge of drug use, addiction and drug-related crimes and incarcerations. It is estimated that 21 million Americans aged 12 years or older has one form of substance use disorder. In the 00s there was the War on Terror which led to acts of terrorism around the world, major wars, thousands of people killed, and millions displaced. Despite all of this, the war has lasted for over 19 years.

Military terminology and metaphors have also infiltrated healthcare. We often hear that someone is “battling cancer” or someone is “fighting a flu”. This suggests that somehow there is a winner or loser in this battle, that the patient must be “strong” throughout their process or that they were not strong enough to overcome their disease. Now we have been told there is a war on an invisible and deadly virus. We must “suit up” in personal protective equipment and healthcare workers are described as working on the “frontline”.

Waging a war requires being in a state of almost continuous high alert, placing huge strain on your nervous system, digestive system, endocrine system and fundamentally your immune system. Seeing our health in the context of war – winner or loser, enemy and victor – can negatively affect our health beliefs and expected outcomes and decrease the readiness to seek necessary treatment. Being “at war” requires preparedness and rations, so it is unsurprising when there are long lines outside stores and supermarkets the day after it is announced we are at war with a virus. The soothing words of “don’t panic” are drowned out by the racing heartbeats pounding in people’s ears as they plan for the next few weeks of their lives. There is no time to reflect on the present moment and what is needed or begin to accept a level of uncertainty.

In energetic terms, wars are a reflection of wounded masculine energy or imbalanced yang energy. Wounded masculine energy is aggressive, reactive and mistrustful, compared to balanced, mature masculine energy which is humble, mindful and secure with a sense of physical safety. Masculine and feminine energy is present in both men and women in varying degrees throughout life experiences. When politicians declare that “we” the nation are at war it may ignite a sense of nationalism but it may also amplify the wounded masculine energy which is selfish and seeking to protect “I, me, my”. Do people pushing and shoving outside the supermarkets look like they are expressing wounded or balanced masculine energy?

Yes, it is important for people to be vigilant and take greater care of their health and well-being but declaring war may not be the answer. Does viewing a global pandemic in the framework of a war prevent us from thinking and behaving rationally? Sales of toilet tissue suggest yes. Discussion about health, particularly by politicians, lead medical professionals and the media, should be clear, concise, and free of inflammatory metaphors or terminology.

Iris Canham-Gezane (2013) The Wounded Daughters of Africa
Hauser and Schwarz (2019) The War on Prevention II: Battle Metaphors Undermine Cancer Treatment and Prevention and Do Not Increase Vigilance
Marron et al (2020) Waging War on War Metaphors in Cancer and COVID-19