Will Braun our course leader in the course we took at Canadian Mennonite University  always slid towards the gentle. That, largely, is what I liked so much about the talks he facilitated largely without preaching.  He did it with gentleness. He reminded me of what I know about Vaclav Havel and his velvet revolution.

He also reminded me of Mennonites. In fact, I thought he exemplified the best of the Mennonite perennial philosophy of trying to be Die Stillen im Lande.” (The quiet on the land ) That really is the essence of negating the tensions as Braun called  it and dissolving the extremes as I call it. Mennonites like to consider themselves as peace makers as well. Again dissolving opposition. Though sometimes it seems Mennonites are happy to reap the benefits of the violence of others. There is nothing morally great about that.

I think some people in our class found it difficult to follow Braun’s example. They wanted to oppose what they thought of as morally wrong, even if that merely sharpened the polarizations. I tend to do that too,  but it makes a difference how you oppose it. Some means of opposition result in the other cementing his or her position more tightly and indelibly. Braun’s way is to meander towards reconciliation wherever possible. He does it softly and always with gentleness some find irksome and I found encouraging.

I would say the best part of Braun’s classes on the upside down view of polarization as he called it, was his example of gentleness in action.  He taught by example. Usually the best way to do it.

I wish I could be more like that.