At this time of this world, we find much conflict. What is the source of this conflict? What are the components and evidence we see. We can look at some of the causes.
The number one cause of conflict may not be easily defined, but we will say that is caused by amnesia. The one where the person has forgotten his most essential identity. Called the spirit or higher self, it is the same in all humans. It is different than identifying as the body - What do you get out of that? A few decades; striving and fighting to pay the "cost" of living. The soul has chosen, or believes himself to be of a certain race, class, ethnicity, nationality, and family. We will say that there is nothing wrong with this, as it has been the way of life on this planet, and the choice is there to create an identity. It can be a great adventure, like the role of an actor. We seek experiences and the emotions they provide. But we are talking about conflict, and if we examine this phenomena, we will see that it is one of the main ingredients that perpetuates conflict. Probably the biggest reason, in the current time, is the competition for resources, but these other components are always there. Free choice has allowed the inhabitants to behave as they wish, and the selfish actions and fear have created a large imbalance. Nature seeks balance and cooperation, and when it gets unbalanced, what usually follows is a correction. Like a pendulum: life, although sometimes chaotic, moves to find harmony. Although often chaotic, one can see the cohesive aspects that underlie this bizarre and beautiful existence.
What are most important things to people - the things that they value. We can agree that most seek pleasure and happiness, which could be defined by the many desires that humans pursue. We often see people following others, who have or seem to be enjoying an experience. One thinks that if they could attain that thing or experience, that it would bring happiness. Humans, and other primates, can always be seen - watching, asking, following - looking for that thing. Often involved in a group - all looking for; experiencing the same desire. This has been a naturally occurring phenomena, with different variations. Natural and predominating, seeking interaction in this world - to share places and times - this is the way of human life. A template has been created - and the soul enters it, and sails the sea of desire.
How does freewill manifest in the human world. Before our current time, events, communications, and geography created space for individual experience. A sheepherder in the middle east would have no idea what a native American in the western world was experiencing. It has been said that in earlier times, there was only one language, but in our history we only know of a myriad of languages and different identities that existed. Tribalism has prevailed as the common human way of life for millennia. Customs,beliefs,rituals, and religions have been handed down through the generations. Some professing tolerance for others different than themselves, and most believing their way is the right way, and looking down (or worse) on the other groups. This seems to be the human ego desperately needing to be right, and just as blindly, wanting an assurance of salvation. Believing their exclusive model of what is right and possessing the Truth, unspeakable acts of violence and aggression against their fellow humans have been seen. Fighting for resources and religion has gone on non stop for thousands of generations. We teach our children to follow, and they identify with the cultural / historic conflicts between tribes stretching back generations. Every group thinks that they were the first people, beloved of the creator(s). So, along with the burdens of a current life, they carry the grudges and hatreds of the past.
Why do we choose these cycles. Unknowingly asleep, identifying with our primate forms, we follow along. People rarely change en mass. Without a strong stimulus or event, things go on as usual. Fortunately, in the recent past, there have been different occurrences that have affected individuals, and therefore society. We can remember a recent one from the 1960's when psychotropic plants were used to alter consciousness, and new ideas and possibilities became more accessible. People experienced a deeper aspect of themselves, and propagated a culture of love. Love for humanity and our precious planet became a larger part of the societal conversation. Now, with technologies, we see and are conscious of a global connected ecosystem, with people feeling a communal, commonality on one planet.
There is much evidence that there is common experience of source, and a similar experience of human life that illustrates a oneness of mankind that many are increasingly feeling. At the same time, unfortunately, there are those that feel themselves different than the different tribes and groups that inhabit the globe. Is the time of the "sorting" that was predicted? One can feel that mankind is evolving, or that things are getting worse. This is part of the dualistic nature of life, and a particular time of the world. As much as the peacemakers feel an increasing evolution, it is wise to realise, as one strives for oneness in the world, the nature of this world. The true oneness is ever existent within the self, and in the end, one leaves this world, as he came in: one by one.