I'm not defending the gunman's actions in the slightest - they were heinous and worth his self-inflicted death penalty. But there's got to be a reason why he did what he did. Somewhere inside his mind, he became a tortured soul. I don't hate him; I pity him.
That probably stems from my training in and studies of aikido and Zen philosophy. There's a number of stories about the founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba, known to his students as O-Sensei (meaning great teacher). One in particular sticks out in my mind right now.
He was riding a train in Tokyo when a visibly drunk young man carrying a bottle of booze entered the car and behaved belligerent to the other passengers. It was clear than he was frightening them - they acted as if terrified. So, here is O-Sensei, master and founder of aikido, a very strong martial art. He certainly had the ability to do what was needed to stop this man cold in his tracks if he attempted to physically attack him or anyone else. What did he do?
He waited until the man drew near - and proceeded to strike up a conversation with him, agreeing with his statements, complimenting his choice of beverage, asking him questions, and ultimately, trying to determine what drove him into this state. It turned out that the man had just been fired from his job, and he was the sole breadwinner for his household. He lacked the courage to confess his perceived disgrace to his wife and children, fearing they would be unsympathetic. O-Sensei listened with a sympathetic ear, encouraging the man to pull himself together and talk with his wife - if his family loved him, they would understand. By the time the conversation was over, they left the train as friends.
There's debate about whether the story is apocryphal or embellished over time, but it holds true with O-Sensei's beliefs which are incorporated into the practice of aikido.
What is the best way to win a fight? By not having one in the first place.
What is the best way of defeating an enemy? By making him your friend.
Imagine if you would how differently today might have been if the right person reached out to this young man and gave him the sympathetic ear he so desperately needed. Use this as an example. Be that "right person" - reach out to your fellow folks, friends and strangers alike, give them your attention when they're in dire need of it, make them your "successfully defeated enemies". We see so many similar tragedies and we need to take heed of the lessons they have to teach us, so that this tragedy may be the last. Sympathy and a warm heart can go much further than stricter laws or a warm gun in making this happen.
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