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Good vs Evil - doers
The United States of America is a spirited nation and the memorials for the dead and injured around the nation call forth the best in America and show the best in humankind. This unprecedented display of togetherness makes me proud to be an American. It is this hope, this faith, this untiring fortitude to go on, this caring, this love for one another that makes me proud. Over the past week, I was deeply moved by the memorials around the world, the actions of the volunteers in New York, and the feelings of genuine caring for the life of our fellow human beings. This natural outpouring of human virtuous emotion are the heart of humankind. In it there is a spark that is spawning a revolution, a revolution of the heart. These acts mirror the great battle between good and evil that is taking place within each of us. It is also a fulfillment of a prophecy - the Hopi prophecy for these times.
When someone asked Mahatma Gandhi what his religion was, Gandhi replied, "It is the sum of what I do everyday, how I eat, sit, talk ,behave. The sum total of all those in me is my religion." In other words what we say, what we feel, what actions we take, this is our religion. This is a call to the people of the world to practice good religion.
The volunteers in New York are examples of respect for life.The memorials around the world are a way for us to remember and honor life. Life is precious! And so is the quality of life. Humans have been given a heart, and in this heart rest the 7 great virtues: Peace, unconditional love, the pursuit of joy, truth, charity, beauty, and grace. Jesus said the greatest virtue is charity, Gandhi said perfect love casts out fear. I say its all just words until practiced in our daily lives.
The practice of our human virtues is our opportunity to join the revolution of the heart that began on 9/11. All the flag waving, all the chanting that we are united, all the uplifting speeches about how the US is the greatest country in the world means nothing and is mere lip-service to the fashion of caring if we don't participate in the revolution of the heart. I challenge all Americans as well as all citizens of planet Earth to put the flag waving and great speeches into action. Some possibilities are: give to all beggars, or buy some food for the food bank, or be truthful with your spouse, friends or co-workers, look one another in the eye without fear, support one another in times of need, don't cheat in business, live without deceit, and always when asked to dance do so. Revolutions do not survive without the pursuit of joy. Let the singing and dancing begin!
Practicing the great virtues honors life, all life and what comes around goes around.
I must have received the email letter from the Afghani-American Tamim Ansary 50 times. He spoke of the futility of bombing a bombed out nation under siege. I respect all that he has to say. It is a call for some sanity during our time of emotional vulnerability. I feel for the people of Afghanistan as I do for the beggars on the streets of Seattle. The best way to fight the terror of their everyday lives is to take responsibility for our actions. Today, I encourage my fellow spirits being human to perform an act of kindness in your daily life, tomorrow perform another act of kindness and again and again until it becomes your religion. Then in some way, some miraculous way these acts spread until they reach the people in Afghanistan, in Timor, in Guatemala, in New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle. In this way the entire world is transformed and the revolution against evil is won. With each act of kindness, and each appreciation of beauty, and each token of generosity, the world becomes that much closer to surviving and evolving.
When I was 18 my friends were drafted into war --- some made it back some didn't. The ones that made it back had frightening stories. I went off to school. I joined the war against the war. Not all of us made it through the many battles alive. I did, and I too have frightening stories. Now it doesn't matter our past or what our ideology is; all that matters is that now is the time we humans do the right thing, we do what it takes to win the battle against evil in our world.
Our spirit will not wither, our dreams will live on and grow stronger. Our call for justice will be met, and our task to rid the world of the venom of evil has begun with countless prayers, good deeds and acts of charity.
May Peace and Love prevail Back to Tribal Messenger |