Gossips are in a great deal of pain, perhaps more than they cause…. which is a lot. To be in the ‘gossip-zone’ all the time takes a great deal of self forgetfulness, though it is not based on focusing on others, it is rather a lack of being rooted within oneself and looking outwards so as to hurt, harm and yes destroy others with whom one is jealous of, or perhaps fears, or maybe there is no reason, just a desire to lash out at others. Irrational and self destructive true, but this is a common cause of suffering in the world. It is a destructive road leaving one alone after a time. For when I am with someone who gossips, I know that it will soon be my turn to have the knife thrust into my back. I think, most of us, (well I do) fall into gossip from time to time, which is just is very wrong. It is when I murmur against another that I am the most scattered, angry or afraid of my own inner emptiness and fragmentation. Perhaps gossip is like taking a drug, might feel ok for a short time, but in the end, there is hell to pay. The cure for gossip is compassion for self and others. Self knowledge takes away the ‘freedom’ to gossip, since we see ourselves and do not need to run from what is there. We all hate to be the victim of gossip, so perhaps pondering that will keep us from spreading the pain and hurt around.
Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
