Image from Film: American Sniper
I confess that I have not seen “American Sniper” yet, but I am certainly aware of the controversy surrounding this film and plan to see it at some point. I try not to judge something based upon others’ opinions or media hype, but all the publicity made me think of a snippet of poetry from Jim Morrison’s The Lords and the New Creatures:
The sniper’s rifle is an extension of his eye.
He kills with injurious vision.(p. 17)
This idea has haunted me for years. I think that it is impossible to act, no matter how impulsively, without envisioning the act first in your mind’s eye. This may just be a split second in some cases. We may not even be aware that we are envisioning an act before we commit it. But I firmly believe that every act and every event begins with a thought, and thought is creative, internal visualization. We can choose to have injurious vision, or healing vision, but make no mistake; reality is a direct result of our vision.
Love this Jeff. We often wonder how terribly evil crimes happen. I think they can never happen without a persistent fantasy of the act first. This is just as true for acts of passion and compassion too.
Anyone who has ever fallen in love knows that fantasy plays a huge part of one’s desires and any bonding that might subsequently occur.
Hi Debra. We are in complete agreement here. Thanks for your comment!!
Thought-provoking post… interesting distinction between envisioning and awareness. I think other factors come into play too (when we behave less than admirably). Biological, psych., social, and probably spiritual influences. But I agree that we have to strip down the layers and ask ourselves, “was it my fault?”
Thanks! I believe we are all responsible for contributing to the reality that surrounds us. Hope you have an awesome weekend!!