Could words create peace in our world? What words would it take to move me enough to choose peace over conflict? How do I go from reading or hearing about peace to choosing peace?
Words have moved society in the past. Seemingly mobilized people for social change. Were they words alone?
What if I consistently took the opportunity to read about peaceful activities, visions that a peaceful world might bring about, how peace could effect my life, how peace is effecting others lives around the world, the focus of peaceful activities on saving our environment and providing a safe world for my children and all the children to grow up in, could this help bring about peace?
In some countries, most today perhaps, voting can influence peace over war. If those on a public payroll knew there salary depended up on their peaceful efforts and thought that their constituency would only pay them for peaceful activities, might that influence them? Some perhaps, others possibly not so much.
I will never refuse to believe that in their hearts most want peace, for themselves, for their children, for their loved ones, and for others. To achieve peace I only have to activate that desire in action when presented with the opportunity. Does peace require sacrifice? Less sacrifice earlier than later. If we allow those not seeking peace to run our governments or our lives, the sacrifice to get peace will become larger. Look at our past. If we give power to those who will use it to create war, it is only harder as time passes to remove them from power. Even in countries where leaders are elected some element of society is made dependent upon that war for prosperity. Those dependent will themselves fight for the right to wage war, even creating war to retain their power or increase their wealth. How do we break this cycle? Sacrifice for peace now, and it will be the least possible cost.
Why should I sacrifice for peace? What if others do not sacrifice and peace does not come, is my sacrifice wasted? At the end of my life, when it flashes before my eyes, or I ponder it at length, will I remember those sacrifices as worthy? More than the moment I could have read a book, taken a walk, watched a movie, talked with a friend, hugged my children, or kissed a loved one? Would I remember it more than the time I took to watch TV, eat at fast food, drinking a beer/wine/soda, desire a gadget, spend a buck or even make a buck? Would I remember a vote for peace? Would I remember volunteering for a cause? Would I remember a conversation about choosing peace vs war?
What makes a memory worthy of end of life?
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A 13 year old who dreams of a world future at peace
This is incredible that a group of 12 and 13 year olds can see what kind of world they are growing up in, but as adults we cannot live by "if you can't fix it stop breaking it".
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Art for Peace
Can art make a peaceful difference in our world? This site thinks so. Given the creation of art itself is typically a peaceful process, wouldn't it make sense it could create more peace.
What if all the soldiers in the world turned into artists? Utopian, I know, but what if?
What if all the children in the countries at war, exchanged art projects, even simple drawings, sketches, or coloring? Would that foster peace in the next generation?
What if all the homeless (and refugees) drew pictures on tiles or colored them. Then they were used to coat our public buildings, fences, walls, walkways, etc...? Would it not help them contribute to society and get used to investing in society? Bellevue WA has used tiles on fences around subdivisions and apartment complexes, that from the street look like a striking use of art for public good. I can imagine if a person has their own tile up on public display the sense of pride it would instill. Don't we need more of this in the world?
What if all the art produced in schools, ended up on permanent public display in some way, inside a public building or outside on a public byway (foot or vehicular)? Would it hurt to save the art of multiple generations and make permanent public landmarks from it? Are the only worthy artists of permanent public display the Da Vinci's or Michelangelo's of the world? I think not.
What if each one of our homes was an art gallery? Imagine each piece of furniture, each home appliance, or any displayed piece of stuff, instead of being a mass produced, mass marketed, lowest cost, yet decidedly non-unique item in our environment was uniquely created by ourselves, a local artisan, or anyone of modest artistic talent? We would be putting our dollars back into our local community, would that be so bad?
What if we could pick the patterns we had in our home, not from Wallmart's limited selection, but from a worldwide select of patterns, colors and textures? Once we picked them, a local person would turn it into reality so more of our dollars stay in our own community.
What if we could learn about other cultures through the exchange of art, and it wasn't just an occasional display at a local art museum, but integrated into our lives on a daily/hourly basis? A constant learning process, an enhanced understanding of who the people we say are evil, or who we are bombing really are as people?
What if those who might bomb us, had expressions of our peaceful nature integrated into their lives, would they be so eager to bomb us?
Would art exchange lead to a better understanding between diverse cultures and political views? Would this improve the world?
The neysayers might complain about art being of little real world help, so why put so much effort, why not just write a book or make a documentary? Something that can be copied over and over for less money? Because it is one point of view I would counter. How many people actually see the documentaries or read the books? We are all inundated with movies and books about less important topics. Where is the real world value in that? People find value in understanding our world, and connecting with others, that is why we have sister cities in foreign countries. For cultural exchange. What about allowing everyone with an interest to play the role of artist and contribute to cultural exchange?
What if you could write to an artist that created a particular piece you liked and ask them for the reasons behind the piece and the meaning that it holds for them? Would that not be of interest and of value, connecting people across the world? Like penpals from the old days?
What if lawmakers received public expressions of interest and values through art? If nothing else C-Span would be more lively as that art was displayed as part of the congressional record. Send your congressional representative your expressions today.
What if we got to know people from around the world, and stayed in tune with their artistic expression, would we know more or less about their moods and their lives through their art?
I will part with this last thought. Art is some of the most expensive stuff society has ever collected. Masters might be rare, and therefore one of their limited pieces can be worthy of the lifetimes salary of a common person. Artists used to be rare in days that people had to really work a long day's hard labor to feed their family. Could there be time in the average American's day, which includes 4 hours of TV per day, to create art? If it promoted world peace by sharing cultural values across political and economic borders would it be worth it?
What if all the soldiers in the world turned into artists? Utopian, I know, but what if?
What if all the children in the countries at war, exchanged art projects, even simple drawings, sketches, or coloring? Would that foster peace in the next generation?
What if all the homeless (and refugees) drew pictures on tiles or colored them. Then they were used to coat our public buildings, fences, walls, walkways, etc...? Would it not help them contribute to society and get used to investing in society? Bellevue WA has used tiles on fences around subdivisions and apartment complexes, that from the street look like a striking use of art for public good. I can imagine if a person has their own tile up on public display the sense of pride it would instill. Don't we need more of this in the world?
What if all the art produced in schools, ended up on permanent public display in some way, inside a public building or outside on a public byway (foot or vehicular)? Would it hurt to save the art of multiple generations and make permanent public landmarks from it? Are the only worthy artists of permanent public display the Da Vinci's or Michelangelo's of the world? I think not.
What if each one of our homes was an art gallery? Imagine each piece of furniture, each home appliance, or any displayed piece of stuff, instead of being a mass produced, mass marketed, lowest cost, yet decidedly non-unique item in our environment was uniquely created by ourselves, a local artisan, or anyone of modest artistic talent? We would be putting our dollars back into our local community, would that be so bad?
What if we could pick the patterns we had in our home, not from Wallmart's limited selection, but from a worldwide select of patterns, colors and textures? Once we picked them, a local person would turn it into reality so more of our dollars stay in our own community.
What if we could learn about other cultures through the exchange of art, and it wasn't just an occasional display at a local art museum, but integrated into our lives on a daily/hourly basis? A constant learning process, an enhanced understanding of who the people we say are evil, or who we are bombing really are as people?
What if those who might bomb us, had expressions of our peaceful nature integrated into their lives, would they be so eager to bomb us?
Would art exchange lead to a better understanding between diverse cultures and political views? Would this improve the world?
The neysayers might complain about art being of little real world help, so why put so much effort, why not just write a book or make a documentary? Something that can be copied over and over for less money? Because it is one point of view I would counter. How many people actually see the documentaries or read the books? We are all inundated with movies and books about less important topics. Where is the real world value in that? People find value in understanding our world, and connecting with others, that is why we have sister cities in foreign countries. For cultural exchange. What about allowing everyone with an interest to play the role of artist and contribute to cultural exchange?
What if you could write to an artist that created a particular piece you liked and ask them for the reasons behind the piece and the meaning that it holds for them? Would that not be of interest and of value, connecting people across the world? Like penpals from the old days?
What if lawmakers received public expressions of interest and values through art? If nothing else C-Span would be more lively as that art was displayed as part of the congressional record. Send your congressional representative your expressions today.
What if we got to know people from around the world, and stayed in tune with their artistic expression, would we know more or less about their moods and their lives through their art?
I will part with this last thought. Art is some of the most expensive stuff society has ever collected. Masters might be rare, and therefore one of their limited pieces can be worthy of the lifetimes salary of a common person. Artists used to be rare in days that people had to really work a long day's hard labor to feed their family. Could there be time in the average American's day, which includes 4 hours of TV per day, to create art? If it promoted world peace by sharing cultural values across political and economic borders would it be worth it?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
What small change can you do to make the world that you live in better?
Another Deepak Chopra question from Yahoo Answers:
What small change can you do to make the world that you live in better?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
... I think that the best way to contribute to the change of the world is by changing ourselves and, in that form, changing the energy we provide the world with would bring in, what you call, a critical mass that eventually will bring a big world change.
By changing ourselves, we change the energy we add to the general consensus, and in that form, we contribute with some light and wisdom in a world of ignorance and darkness.
I have read in many books and in the net that we don't need to fight the darkness, The way to "fight" it is just by bringing light into it. That is what we have to become , a candle in the darkest night.
Angel
Peru
Deepak's Rating:
5 out of 5
Deepak's Comment:
Your answer makes 2 beautiful points & shows a deep understanding of consciousness:
1) We have to be the change that we want to see in the world, as stated by Mahatma Gandhi.
2) When enough people undergo personal transformation, it automatically leads to social transformation.
What small change can you do to make the world that you live in better?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
... I think that the best way to contribute to the change of the world is by changing ourselves and, in that form, changing the energy we provide the world with would bring in, what you call, a critical mass that eventually will bring a big world change.
By changing ourselves, we change the energy we add to the general consensus, and in that form, we contribute with some light and wisdom in a world of ignorance and darkness.
I have read in many books and in the net that we don't need to fight the darkness, The way to "fight" it is just by bringing light into it. That is what we have to become , a candle in the darkest night.
Angel
Peru
Deepak's Rating:
5 out of 5
Deepak's Comment:
Your answer makes 2 beautiful points & shows a deep understanding of consciousness:
1) We have to be the change that we want to see in the world, as stated by Mahatma Gandhi.
2) When enough people undergo personal transformation, it automatically leads to social transformation.
YouTube Peace Video Channel
I have created a channel on YouTube to record videos I find that I identify with as promoting Peace. Sometimes they may be graphic, sometimes they may contain music, they inspire me, will they inspire you?
What would I do for peace?
I would write songs that made people cry over the past, and then lifted their spirits in hope for the future to the point of laughter.
I would create a sculpture of light that people could interact with to see what is going on in this world, the sorrow, the joy, the tragedies and the miracles. People would learn what good effect occasional simple acts and what bad effects frequent inaction have on this world. It would teach compassion for all living things and at the same time intolerance for the actions of those you abuse this world without regard for other living beings, we are all related. This light, sound and touch sculpture would give back, small sculptures as momentos of your experience.
I would dance, a funny little jig, to inspire others to live with wild abandon, and tread lightly upon our common cosmic room, we call earth.
I would tell stories of my life, what else do I know? The stories would clearly show a person dissatisfied with their own commitment to date, but willing to change their future.
I would create a sculpture of light that people could interact with to see what is going on in this world, the sorrow, the joy, the tragedies and the miracles. People would learn what good effect occasional simple acts and what bad effects frequent inaction have on this world. It would teach compassion for all living things and at the same time intolerance for the actions of those you abuse this world without regard for other living beings, we are all related. This light, sound and touch sculpture would give back, small sculptures as momentos of your experience.
I would dance, a funny little jig, to inspire others to live with wild abandon, and tread lightly upon our common cosmic room, we call earth.
I would tell stories of my life, what else do I know? The stories would clearly show a person dissatisfied with their own commitment to date, but willing to change their future.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Winter Soldier
Winter Soldier features over 50 veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars testifying to the public about their experiences. Is this the first step in healing the nation? Will people listen? Will people take action to create peace once they know the truth? If it is worse than you thought, would you take action to create peace? Write your politcal representative? Participate in a march for peace? Tell your friends to support peace? How much will it take? How bad does it have to get? Before we call for peace, demand peace of our government for the people?
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Giving as a source of peace
If we give of ourselves or our possessions, we foster less conflict in our lives. That which we put out into the world comes back to us, over and over. Giving therefore is a precursor to receiving. We give ourselves to a job and it will return payment. We give ourselves to our children and they will grow up to make us proud.
Somethings we freely give. What about giving that which we do not want? What is the return on that? If we allow it to be so, we get returns in at least two significant ways. One is the gift itself, it's effect on us from making someone else happy. Two is the reward we can give ourself for the detachment from a treasured possession. Some prophets have taught to give everything and attach to nothing, in this way we can live a fully life of true freedom and happiness. Once we have detached we will not feel the sorrow of loss.
If it is this simple, why then is there war in the world? Giving others the right of free choice, allows them to choose to make war on us or others. Detaching from the notion they have to use freedom peacefully, is like a gift. If they absolutely are attached to getting what they need from us, it would be our detachment and gift that would create peace. If we say, it is they who should see the world as I do and not require me to give that which I do not want to give, we may be righteous, but if we go to war to keep our possessions, we will ultimately be as responsible for the lack of peace as those making the war.
What about security, if my security is threatened, don't I have the right to protect myself and loved ones? We all have a duty built into our history and nature to sustain life, sustain our species. Any threat to ourselves will likely be met to an autonomous response as often as not to protect ourselves. An autonomous response is not a threat to peace, it is the premediated act that threatens peace. Yes small numbers of us may get harmed in this method, but is that not happening already? Is there not premeditated war, war machines, built and procescuted from nothing more than fear?
Somethings we freely give. What about giving that which we do not want? What is the return on that? If we allow it to be so, we get returns in at least two significant ways. One is the gift itself, it's effect on us from making someone else happy. Two is the reward we can give ourself for the detachment from a treasured possession. Some prophets have taught to give everything and attach to nothing, in this way we can live a fully life of true freedom and happiness. Once we have detached we will not feel the sorrow of loss.
If it is this simple, why then is there war in the world? Giving others the right of free choice, allows them to choose to make war on us or others. Detaching from the notion they have to use freedom peacefully, is like a gift. If they absolutely are attached to getting what they need from us, it would be our detachment and gift that would create peace. If we say, it is they who should see the world as I do and not require me to give that which I do not want to give, we may be righteous, but if we go to war to keep our possessions, we will ultimately be as responsible for the lack of peace as those making the war.
What about security, if my security is threatened, don't I have the right to protect myself and loved ones? We all have a duty built into our history and nature to sustain life, sustain our species. Any threat to ourselves will likely be met to an autonomous response as often as not to protect ourselves. An autonomous response is not a threat to peace, it is the premediated act that threatens peace. Yes small numbers of us may get harmed in this method, but is that not happening already? Is there not premeditated war, war machines, built and procescuted from nothing more than fear?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Peace begins inside
I may have discussed this already, but I do believe that peace begins inside each of us. There can only be peace between people that choose peace, and are willing to sacrifice for it. We will not find peace in a store. We will not find peace by requiring others to sacrifice that which we are not willing to. We will not find peace by demanding the world change to suit our needs.
We will only find peace when we have birthed peace within our own beliefs and through our own actions.
From here we begin a journey which may not be easy, but it will be rewarding.
If peace were as simple as going to see a movie, or buying a magazine from the store, what would it be worth?
We will only find peace when we have birthed peace within our own beliefs and through our own actions.
From here we begin a journey which may not be easy, but it will be rewarding.
If peace were as simple as going to see a movie, or buying a magazine from the store, what would it be worth?
Yahoo Question: Peace?
This question appeared on Yahoo Answers some time ago:
Peace ?????
We all see what happens today. I wanna know DO YOU BELIVE IN PEACE. I dont mean any peace, i mean the real peace-world whitout hate, no terorism, no killings. Do you think that the time will come when people of the earth will live in peace for ever, till The Last Day. Love for all, is it possible???
Best Answer from Grateful... - Chosen by Voters:
La la la la give peace a chance! All we are saaaying is give peace a chance...
Sorry, I couldnt resist. Yes I think world peace is possible. But the thing is, is this:
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"-
Mohandas Gandhi
Which means, basically, if you want to see world peace, you have to live peacefully, love everyone, forgive and forget, etc. Everything that is necessary for world peace, you have to do it yourself. Its not enough to stand around asking if world peace will ever happen, that wont do anything. Actions speak louder than any words. If everyone starts living the peaceful, loving way, things will change. But someone has to start and lead by example. You cant rely on anyone else to do this. You have to do it yourself. And by the way, these arent just empty words, everything I'm asking you to do, I do myself. I can tell you from experience, that living like this, its great. Really, you give out love and peace, and (for the most part) thats what you get back. Anyways, Im rambling now, so yes, it is possible.
Peace ?????
We all see what happens today. I wanna know DO YOU BELIVE IN PEACE. I dont mean any peace, i mean the real peace-world whitout hate, no terorism, no killings. Do you think that the time will come when people of the earth will live in peace for ever, till The Last Day. Love for all, is it possible???
Best Answer from Grateful... - Chosen by Voters:
La la la la give peace a chance! All we are saaaying is give peace a chance...
Sorry, I couldnt resist. Yes I think world peace is possible. But the thing is, is this:
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"-
Mohandas Gandhi
Which means, basically, if you want to see world peace, you have to live peacefully, love everyone, forgive and forget, etc. Everything that is necessary for world peace, you have to do it yourself. Its not enough to stand around asking if world peace will ever happen, that wont do anything. Actions speak louder than any words. If everyone starts living the peaceful, loving way, things will change. But someone has to start and lead by example. You cant rely on anyone else to do this. You have to do it yourself. And by the way, these arent just empty words, everything I'm asking you to do, I do myself. I can tell you from experience, that living like this, its great. Really, you give out love and peace, and (for the most part) thats what you get back. Anyways, Im rambling now, so yes, it is possible.
Friday, February 15, 2008
How can an organization help you fulfill your life dreams?
My Yahoo Answer:
Any organization can help me fulfill my life dreams by honestly explaining to me what the organization's purpose is, and what services or products it has that might help me fulfill my potential. Then letting me decide what is compatible with my dreams, even if that is nothing.
Every organization has it's own purpose. As far as I know there is not a single organization in existence that has my true potential as it's primary purpose. It's purpose might be compatible with my life dreams, but it will still serve itself at some level. To be independent, I have to decide what services or products I will accept and utilize to fulfill my true potential.
An example might be a spiritual based organization that wants to help me achieve a level of spirituality I have decided I want in my life. That organization can support me, only in way's it knows and chooses. It also needs to recognize that I will ultimately decide what my spirituality is and will become, and how I can be helped in fulfilling my spiritual path. The organization can let me know what it is about, the services and literature it offers to enlighten me. Then let me decide which services and literature to utilize to live up to my true potential. Each person is likely to have a different answer, because we are all pursuing our own unique destiny.
Being honest about it's purpose, products and services is the bottom line. Trying to fool me through clever marketing or leading me down a path that I might not feel is right for me, just because the organization itself believes it is, are not examples of an organization helping me fulfill my life dreams. It is an example of an organization pursuing it's own purpose and believes, no matter how much the organization believes it is for my benefit. Only I can make that decision, it is my life, I am an independent being.
Being saved, in the Christian religion, is an example. Don't scare me into accepting Jesus Christ so I can get into heaven, when even the bible does not say it is so, then ask me to tithe. Tell me honestly what you believe and even why, but let me make the choice of whether or not it is right for my life dreams, and how I can give back.
If an organization says it's only purpose is to help me, I will challenge it. If I then ask to lead this organization and make absolute decisions for it, in pursuit of my own life dreams, what would the answer be? If the answer is "No", which I would expect, then that organization has a different purpose and is not being honest about it's purpose to me.
My life dreams are going to be self-serving no matter how much they claim to be serving others. No matter how much time or money I donate to the service of others, I still am trying to achieve something in the process, for myself. Even the Christian who would save my soul by imploring me to accept Jesus Christ, is interested in saving their own soul by doing what they believe is God's work, they are not solely concerned with just me.
I would say to any organization make your purpose what you love, offer services and products true to your purpose, be honest about what your purpose is and give me the freedom to decide how I will allow myself to be helped. This is the best way to help me fulfill my true potential.
More specifically, I have a wide variety of dreams but sometimes I lack the self confidence to pursue paths that lead to the realization of those dreams. Inspiring me to believe in myself, which you have done through your writing Mr. Chopra, is a perfect way to help me fulfill my true potential.
I can change the world, only if I believe I can!
Any organization can help me fulfill my life dreams by honestly explaining to me what the organization's purpose is, and what services or products it has that might help me fulfill my potential. Then letting me decide what is compatible with my dreams, even if that is nothing.
Every organization has it's own purpose. As far as I know there is not a single organization in existence that has my true potential as it's primary purpose. It's purpose might be compatible with my life dreams, but it will still serve itself at some level. To be independent, I have to decide what services or products I will accept and utilize to fulfill my true potential.
An example might be a spiritual based organization that wants to help me achieve a level of spirituality I have decided I want in my life. That organization can support me, only in way's it knows and chooses. It also needs to recognize that I will ultimately decide what my spirituality is and will become, and how I can be helped in fulfilling my spiritual path. The organization can let me know what it is about, the services and literature it offers to enlighten me. Then let me decide which services and literature to utilize to live up to my true potential. Each person is likely to have a different answer, because we are all pursuing our own unique destiny.
Being honest about it's purpose, products and services is the bottom line. Trying to fool me through clever marketing or leading me down a path that I might not feel is right for me, just because the organization itself believes it is, are not examples of an organization helping me fulfill my life dreams. It is an example of an organization pursuing it's own purpose and believes, no matter how much the organization believes it is for my benefit. Only I can make that decision, it is my life, I am an independent being.
Being saved, in the Christian religion, is an example. Don't scare me into accepting Jesus Christ so I can get into heaven, when even the bible does not say it is so, then ask me to tithe. Tell me honestly what you believe and even why, but let me make the choice of whether or not it is right for my life dreams, and how I can give back.
If an organization says it's only purpose is to help me, I will challenge it. If I then ask to lead this organization and make absolute decisions for it, in pursuit of my own life dreams, what would the answer be? If the answer is "No", which I would expect, then that organization has a different purpose and is not being honest about it's purpose to me.
My life dreams are going to be self-serving no matter how much they claim to be serving others. No matter how much time or money I donate to the service of others, I still am trying to achieve something in the process, for myself. Even the Christian who would save my soul by imploring me to accept Jesus Christ, is interested in saving their own soul by doing what they believe is God's work, they are not solely concerned with just me.
I would say to any organization make your purpose what you love, offer services and products true to your purpose, be honest about what your purpose is and give me the freedom to decide how I will allow myself to be helped. This is the best way to help me fulfill my true potential.
More specifically, I have a wide variety of dreams but sometimes I lack the self confidence to pursue paths that lead to the realization of those dreams. Inspiring me to believe in myself, which you have done through your writing Mr. Chopra, is a perfect way to help me fulfill my true potential.
I can change the world, only if I believe I can!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Accepting Peace
This morning I was challenged with the question: "Can I just accept that everything is working out in a way that will be best for me?", and that I might not understand why I am being challenged with things I don't feel are the best possible situations, in all possible scenarios. Okay simply put, can I be happy even when I am not?
We can learn to live with things we don't like. Temporal things, or even permanent things. For decades the Palestinians have been living in a situation, they would most likely change in a heartbeat. They have few choices. Leave or live with it and try to change it. The refugees of the world, living in refugee camps, probably had few choices. Stay and risk life itself, or travel and hope that if not prosperity at least living would be an option. In America, we have so many choices. We can choose to educate ourselves. There are libraries in most neighborhoods, if not libraries even bookstores allow you to sit and read in many cases. There are public schools that operate at low cost or no cost to some. There are job training programs available. There is usually housing or shelter available to all, low cost or even no cost. For those who prosper there are a vast many more options, where to live, how to live, and whom to live with.
When choices are taken away, is peace possible? Inner peace or community peace? Can the wealthy (those with more choices) of the world really expect the disadvantaged (those with few choices) to peacefully accept their lot? If you were told, not asked, to live in squalid conditions of disease, hunger, cold, resulting in a constant threat to your safety, how would you respond? Given a chance at getting more options and more security through a one time risk of a violent action, which would you choose? When hope is lost that you yourself can make a difference peacefully, and all that is left is that someone else will come to your rescue, which never seems to happen, how long will you last before more dramatic actions will be justified in the name of self preservation?
In America, with our right to bear arms for our own protection, there is an implicit understanding that those arms might be used against another person in the name of self preservation. That peace and the right to live free may require bloodshed or at least the threat of bloodshed to preserve it. Can we really expect every single person who owns a gun to hold it in a state of readiness, fully willing to use it as a defense to truly ward of those who might harm us, but not use it? Doesn't the US Constitution's granted right to bear arms, guarantee that guns will be used in certain circumstances. Is using a gun living with the unfortunate circumstances life deals out, or altering our surroundings to make them like what we think we are entitled to? Who is to judge the use of violence to maintain security? Could a person stealing food at gun point be committing an act of self defense? Is someone defending their homeland against an invader committing an act of self defense? Is avenging 9/11 to insure future peace an act of self defense? Even if innocent people are killed? Even if tens of thousands of innocent women and children are killed in a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 as a whole? Just that they could have, and might someday be a threat, regardless of whether or not they were?
If America can defend it's shores with military might, that cause innocent civilian death in foreign lands, what makes the Palestinian actions so wrong? Are not both programs of death to achieve security? Who gets to judge one wrong and the other right? The one with more choices, because of the size of their military?
Could it be that we, despite all the rhetoric to the contrary, still live in a world where the strong survive at the expense of the weak? The same constitution that grants Americans the right to bear (and implicitly use) arms to defend ourselves, grants the right of freedom, liberty and justice to all Americans.
We can learn to live with things we don't like. Temporal things, or even permanent things. For decades the Palestinians have been living in a situation, they would most likely change in a heartbeat. They have few choices. Leave or live with it and try to change it. The refugees of the world, living in refugee camps, probably had few choices. Stay and risk life itself, or travel and hope that if not prosperity at least living would be an option. In America, we have so many choices. We can choose to educate ourselves. There are libraries in most neighborhoods, if not libraries even bookstores allow you to sit and read in many cases. There are public schools that operate at low cost or no cost to some. There are job training programs available. There is usually housing or shelter available to all, low cost or even no cost. For those who prosper there are a vast many more options, where to live, how to live, and whom to live with.
When choices are taken away, is peace possible? Inner peace or community peace? Can the wealthy (those with more choices) of the world really expect the disadvantaged (those with few choices) to peacefully accept their lot? If you were told, not asked, to live in squalid conditions of disease, hunger, cold, resulting in a constant threat to your safety, how would you respond? Given a chance at getting more options and more security through a one time risk of a violent action, which would you choose? When hope is lost that you yourself can make a difference peacefully, and all that is left is that someone else will come to your rescue, which never seems to happen, how long will you last before more dramatic actions will be justified in the name of self preservation?
In America, with our right to bear arms for our own protection, there is an implicit understanding that those arms might be used against another person in the name of self preservation. That peace and the right to live free may require bloodshed or at least the threat of bloodshed to preserve it. Can we really expect every single person who owns a gun to hold it in a state of readiness, fully willing to use it as a defense to truly ward of those who might harm us, but not use it? Doesn't the US Constitution's granted right to bear arms, guarantee that guns will be used in certain circumstances. Is using a gun living with the unfortunate circumstances life deals out, or altering our surroundings to make them like what we think we are entitled to? Who is to judge the use of violence to maintain security? Could a person stealing food at gun point be committing an act of self defense? Is someone defending their homeland against an invader committing an act of self defense? Is avenging 9/11 to insure future peace an act of self defense? Even if innocent people are killed? Even if tens of thousands of innocent women and children are killed in a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 as a whole? Just that they could have, and might someday be a threat, regardless of whether or not they were?
If America can defend it's shores with military might, that cause innocent civilian death in foreign lands, what makes the Palestinian actions so wrong? Are not both programs of death to achieve security? Who gets to judge one wrong and the other right? The one with more choices, because of the size of their military?
Could it be that we, despite all the rhetoric to the contrary, still live in a world where the strong survive at the expense of the weak? The same constitution that grants Americans the right to bear (and implicitly use) arms to defend ourselves, grants the right of freedom, liberty and justice to all Americans.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Inner Peace
When you have something bothering you, a deed still to do, a past deed done wrong, is inner peace disrupted? When there is no inner peace is it easier to leave other things undone or do other deeds wrong?
Can civilizations follow the same path? Is what goes on inside the head of one person, mimicked throughout society?
Can letting go, in meditation, in prayer, help one find peace within? What is the group form of letting go? Is the choice to forgive past transgressions, our own or by others, possible through such mediation or prayer? Is it a logical choice or an emotional one? How would a group emotional choice be made? How does one who relies more on logic than emotions make an emotional choice? How would one who is naturally more emotional in their convictions overcome them with logic? How in society would logic overcome all perceived bias?
For the global warming crisis some think we now face, it took more than science to convince the world at large that it was real. It took more than a few politicians. Yet political power could not stop the word from spreading once our neighbors started to question. Neighbors who question the weather outside, question the catastrophes we see afar, see the rapid change in our landscape as brought to us by videography and photography, all in concert with a majority of scientists now shouting the danger. Who shouts from inside us when there is something we must realize so we can move forward, overcoming past roadblocks?
How do we find inner peace, once we have strayed from the strait and narrow path?
Can civilizations follow the same path? Is what goes on inside the head of one person, mimicked throughout society?
Can letting go, in meditation, in prayer, help one find peace within? What is the group form of letting go? Is the choice to forgive past transgressions, our own or by others, possible through such mediation or prayer? Is it a logical choice or an emotional one? How would a group emotional choice be made? How does one who relies more on logic than emotions make an emotional choice? How would one who is naturally more emotional in their convictions overcome them with logic? How in society would logic overcome all perceived bias?
For the global warming crisis some think we now face, it took more than science to convince the world at large that it was real. It took more than a few politicians. Yet political power could not stop the word from spreading once our neighbors started to question. Neighbors who question the weather outside, question the catastrophes we see afar, see the rapid change in our landscape as brought to us by videography and photography, all in concert with a majority of scientists now shouting the danger. Who shouts from inside us when there is something we must realize so we can move forward, overcoming past roadblocks?
How do we find inner peace, once we have strayed from the strait and narrow path?
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