"This is not the war of democracy versus terror that the world
will be asked to believe in the coming days. It is also about American
missiles smashing into Palestinian homes and US helicopters firing
missiles into a Lebanese ambulance in 1996, and American shells crashing into a
village called Qana and about a Lebanese militia, paid and uniformed
by America's Israeli ally, hacking and raping and murdering their way
through refugee camps."
Middle East Correspondent for "The Independent", one of the UK's
major daily newspapers.
"...we have a choice: we may try to understand, or refuse to do so,
contributing to the likelihood that much worse lies ahead."
Noam Chomsky
"It is imperative that we pray and offer solace and help to
each other. But if you and I are having a single thought of
violence or hatred against anyone in the world at this moment, we are
contributing to the wounding of the world."
Deepak Chopra
Publisher's Note:
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Another serving of mental, spiritual and metaphysical
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I have remained silent in the weeks after the tragedy of
September 11th. All sorts of opinions are flying around. We are
all the constant recipients of "newsflash" e-mails from ezine
writers, expressing their opinions on the matter, and of other
similar arguably self-serving communications.
My own approach is to let the dust settle a little. Now, in this
edition, I present some of my own thoughts and opinions to you.
You may not agree with them, and some of you may even be a little
offended. However, I am speaking the truth as I see it, which is
the whole point of an ezine; a personal voice and opinion. If you
want the generic middle of the road "acceptable" claptrap, please
tune the TV back to your favorite news channels right away. You
won't be lacking.....
There are MANY dimensions to what happened. It is not as
simplistic a Good vs. Evil story as our politicians would have us
believe. Thus, it is impossible to do justice to the factors
involved in just one issue of this ezine. Nevertheless, I have
tried to cover some thought-provoking angles from both a
metaphysical and practical point of view. Some of the ideas are
esoteric. Others verge on the political.
You may find some of this to be very strong talk. Actually, I
went out of my way to TONE DOWN what I had to say. There is a lot
being done in this world by our governments that we are ignorant
of. Yet, once in a while, we get to feel the dire consequences.
In part, that is what happened on September 11th 2001.
I stand by the thoughts expressed here. Hopefully, they will
strike a resonant chord with many of you.
What is the correct response for a metaphysical person to the
terrible events of September 11th? It is a major challenge to
fathom what happened, and what our personal response should be.
This article will set out a few themes that are worth considering.
The key attitude must surely be to display compassion and care
for the sadness and suffering we see. This means praying for
those who have lost loved ones, helping any such people we know
directly, and praying too for those who died. There is much good
we can do in remembering those who have left the earth plane so
suddenly.
According to many spiritual traditions, they are now
wandering in-between lives, seeking a new incarnation. Our
prayers can do much to ensure that they are comforted at this
time, that they recognize opportunities for immediate spiritual
growth within this "bardo" experience, and also help guide them
to a favorable rebirth in a place where they may be exposed to
true spiritual teachings and make rapid progress in their
relentless journey towards enlightenment.
However, it is also important to exercise a degree of spiritual
detachment, in the best possible sense. Having empathy with the
suffering taking place is not the same as getting emotionally
involved. This may be exceedingly hard if you know someone who
died, or someone who is grieving. However if, like the majority,
you are merely following the events on TV, you should try not to
get too caught up in the whole emotional tidal wave sweeping
America and the world. Just watch, learn, and help.
Events come and events go. Some are good and some are bad. All
things happen as they are meant to. We may choose to attribute
various meanings to them, and invariably do. We may even wish
they had not happened. However, in the final analysis, their
ultimate role in the pattern of existence is a mystery to the
finite human mind. What seems good to us may not be. What seems
evil to us may not be. Yet, whether good or evil from our point
of view, they are all indivisibly part of the necessary whole we
call human existence. As Joseph Campbell said in an interview
with Bill Moyers, "Who are we to judge"?
It is a testament to existing religious systems that we continue
to think of events in terms of good and evil; a war between light
and dark, God and the Devil. It is this very thinking that breeds
the judgmental self-righteous attitude so obvious at the present
time. This sort of thinking is rife throughout the Western
nations. It is currently being exploited by world leaders to
galvanize the feelings of the masses, and create a moral momentum
behind what the politicians have already decided to do anyway.
Yet, such polarized and dualistic judgments exclude the
possibility of (a) understanding, and (b) progress.
In the first case, we need understanding because simply coming
out with the same tired old formulas such as "outrage",
"atrocity", "terrorist" and other such words no longer work.
People are being killed at ground level, and all the politicians
can do is recite the same old formulas of polarization (i.e. I am
right and you are evil), and pull out their bombs yet again.
This neatly sidesteps their own culpability in whatever has taken
place, as it is fully intended to do. Nobody ever commits such
terrible acts as those of September 11th purely for the sake of
being evil, as the politicians would have you believe. There is a
reason and philosophy, and a mind very different to ours behind
such strange reasoning.
The tragedy of September 11th was an Effect. What was the Cause?
The tired old formulas trotted out by the grey suits in power
will not get us any nearer the solution. We have to look at our
own actions, both militarily and economically, to begin to get
closer to finding out why anyone would want to do something like
this to us.
It is only by understanding the other person's position, no
matter how much we might loath and disagree with it, that we can
hope to make any progress in creating a secure future for all.
Simply throwing bombs at the problem will merely assure us of
more of the same in return, as they have already done on this
occasion. That is why our world leaders are rapidly looking like
dinosaurs; with outdated limited modes of action for a world that
has fast outpaced them.
Meet The Masters Of War
A metaphysical person also needs to guard the door of the mind.
Remind yourself that most of what you are seeing through the
media regarding this conflict is now pure propaganda. It is not
the truth. You are seeing a presentation that the government
wants you to see. There is a presentation of patriotism,
nationalism, flags and songs; all intended to create the effect
of terminating awkward questions from the population at large. By
distracting the masses with these rallying symbols and this war,
the powers that be can distract you from asking questions like,
"What did our governments do on our behalf to provoke such
vicious hate from other people?" Instead, "my country right or
wrong" will come to prevail in the coming months. At least, until
the body count rises sufficiently......
It may well be that we should work to get rid of international
terrorists. If so, we can start with the ones we voted into power
in our own countries. These are the people who commit countless
"atrocities" against innocent people in other nations and call it
"collateral damage". These are the people who make literally
bomb-astic speeches and threats aimed at extremely dangerous and
clever people. Yet, they never stop to think that the people who
will pay for these big words are not them. It is YOU and ME, the
innocent citizens, who pay with our blood for the posturing of
politicians across the world. That is exactly what happened in
America on September 11th.
"Come you Masters of war,
You that build the big guns.
You that build the death planes.
You that build all the bombs.
You that hide behind walls.
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks.
You never done nothing
But build to destroy
You play with my world
like it's your little toy.
You hide in your mansions
while the young people's blood
flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud."
When Bob Dylan wrote this classic song, "Masters Of War", he was
writing about our governments. Those lines are as applicable
today as they were at the time they were written.
The grey-suited men in the world governments have as little true
insight today as they did then. It is quite astonishing for
anyone who has eyes to see. With amazing arrogance, these "grey
suits" pop out of their boxes whenever there is an international
crisis. They then go through the exact same motions every time.
Like spring-driven marionettes on an old clock tower, they
appear every time the hour is struck to shout: "Outrage!", "We
will teach Saddam/Osama/Gadaffi/Whomever/ a lesson...", "We
demand....", and so on. Then the bombing campaign begins.
Moreover, this is why the politicians are so aggressive in their
response to the events of September 11th. This tragedy is a
direct response to their own behavior and policies. Yet, like
professional conjurors, they have misdirected the attention of a
nation elsewhere. In this way, their own actions of the last few
decades will not come under close scrutiny, as it should.
Look to Your Heart For The Lead
In one of his concerts, Bruce Springsteen said, "Blind faith in
your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed." Never was a
truer word spoken, and it is particularly correct at this time.
Do not believe all that politicians tell you. Sadly, for most of
them, lying is their profession and their primary talent in life.
It has always been this way. Instead, you need to seek your own
truth.
Detachment from all these events is the best approach for a
spiritually oriented person. See it all as on a cinema screen.
Involve yourself no more than that. Be in the world but not of
it. That is the correct attitude to detachment. Take all
opportunities to help others, pray for them, and work for the
spiritual and material good of all. However, don't get overly
involved in the political issues and the war. This too shall
pass.
Yet, alongside detachment, a metaphysical person should work to
protect the persecuted at this time. Muslims in the USA, and in
other countries too, face the very real danger of persecution.
The terms "Arab", "Muslim", and "Terrorist" are fast becoming
synonymous amongst the ignorant. This is a very dangerous
tendency indeed. We should see what we can do to help such
persecuted innocents, and discourage the racist backlash that is
building to the best of our ability. If military action is taken
against Afghanistan and Pakistan, this persecution will rapidly
spread to Asians too. The ignorant do not make subtle
distinctions between shades of color or nationality.
A major part of this task of protecting the innocent should be to
do our best to make our voices known regarding this "war" against
whomever (the first time in history that war has ever been
declared against "we-know-not-who-exactly"). Many thousands of
innocent people will die in Afghanistan, many of them small
children, if this war goes ahead. Many Americans think this is
a price worth paying if it preserves their way of life.
However, metaphysical people should pray for peace, but also
speak up about what they want done instead of this utterly futile
military action. If you cannot do anything now, you can certainly
do so at the next election. Perhaps the most effective vote these
days is no vote at all. After all, both parties (in both the USA
and UK) are fast becoming indistinguishable, thereby undermining
democracy from within. You may choose to refrain from voting
again, and tell the candidates why. If enough people did this,
the political system would collapse OR politicians would actually
have to start listening to what everyday people think for a
change! REAL Democracy!
However, the very best work we can do is to transform the
consciousness of the nation. The leader of a nation can never,
except in very rare circumstances, exceed the level of
consciousness of the people who raised him/her to power. We
appear to have a clear case of this in America today. However, it
does not matter who you voted for, because the same is true of
either party. The people in politics are always representative of
the level they believe the masses to be at. As a cynic once said,
"you get the government you deserve".
Thus, direct political effort is, for a spiritually oriented
person, a side issue. Instead, we should be re-affirmed in our
own determination to raise the level of consciousness of the
nation, beginning first with ourselves. It is when the
consciousness of a nation can be raised that we get a change in
consciousness of the leadership.
This happened in Tibet during the advent of Buddhism. The
Tibetans, formerly an extremely warlike people who conquered
large tracts of China, gradually changed to such an extent that
they renounced all forms of violence and embraced Buddhism. The
country became a Buddhist state. It is a dramatic example of what
is possible if we are willing to work towards it. It can be done
in your nation too, whichever nation that happens to be for you.
However, the first nation to transform is yourself. The power of
one spiritually integrated person cannot be imagined. Gandhi
proved this in his non-violent victory over Britain in India. So too
did Martin Luther King in America. By changing yourself, you are
fully empowered to change others and the world.
This are the best attitudes to adopt to the changing
circumstances of your life, and the present tragedy in
particular. In this way, the government you deserve will one day
be far better than the one you have presently got; both in your
heart and in your country .
Copyright Asoka Selvarajah 2001. All Rights Reserved.
Asoka Selvarajah is a writer on personal growth and
spirituality,
and the author of "The 7 Golden Secrets To Knowing Your
Higher
Self". His work helps people achieve their full
potential, deepen their
understanding of mystical truth,
and discover their soul's purpose. Learn more about his work
In "How to Know God", Deepak Chopra does an excellent job of
tackling one of the toughest subjects of all: communion with the
Almighty!
Whilst this never really reads as a "How To" manual, it is
nevertheless packed with fascinating metaphysical insights on a
wide range of subjects. As ever, Dr. Chopra displays his wide
knowledge of a whole variety of fields, ranging from Quantum
Physics to the Rishis of Ancient India.
The basic proposition of the book is that we can only really know
God through ourselves. Whilst this is generally true of ALL
reality, it is particularly true of God. The level of spiritual
development we have achieved will determine the kind of God we
see and interact with. According to Chopra, there are seven key
stages of spiritual growth, and thus seven "types" of God we will
see. In ascending order of spiritual awareness, these are God (1)
the protector; (2) the almighty; (3)of peace; (4) the redeemer;
(5) the creator; (6) of miracles; (7) of pure being.
In part, this explains why people's views on God differ so
widely, and why nobody can agree as to what God is. The book is
clearly argued, fascinating in its breath of insight, and takes
the reader on a wild and exciting adventure into the heart of the
Divine. Your views on God will never be the same again.
One of the things that struck me forcibly about the events of
September 11th 2001 was the terrible resemblance the attacks bore
to a Hollywood blockbuster disaster movie. It was quite
uncanny......
Desperate terrorists seize passenger airline planes and plunge
them into the WTC towers. The Pentagon is hit. The President of
the United States takes to the skies in Airforce One, under the
protection of scrambled F-15 fighters. The White House is
threatened. Brave passengers face dangerous terrorists and give
their lives to save the nation's honor. The WTC towers collapse
so dramatically that Hollywood's Special Effects could not have
staged it any better. Thousands are killed. Acts of heroism
abound. CNN broadcasts: "America Under Attack". And so on.
Do you want to know why it resembled a Hollywood movie so
closely? The reason is because it IS a Hollywood movie!
Does this sound crazy?
It really isn't if we truly believe in the power of thought.
Thoughts are things. Thoughts are VERY powerful. They are the
life-blood of our civilization. They work in the non-material
world of Cause, and produce effects in our material world. The
everyday world we see - the world of Effects - is the result of
thought. Thought is Prime Cause for all we see around us.
We know that if one person visualizes a goal long enough, with
emotion and energy, and invests his imagination with images of
his desired success, then that reality will manifest in time
without fail. That is what all great spiritual and metaphysical
teachers have been saying for millennia. Thought is supreme.
So what would happen if you could get literally hundreds of
millions of people to visualize the exact same scenarios over and
over again, AND also provide them with the precise powerful
visual images they need to, not merely imagine the experience in
their heads, but actually live it out vicariously right before
their very eyes? What if you did this not once, but over and over
again, year after year, decade after decade?
This is exactly what the Hollywood movie industry has been doing.
It has effectively been imaging terrible disasters on America for
decades, and we have all been willing participants in it; paying
our dollars out to enjoy watching our cities being devastated,
thousands being killed, our national monuments destroyed, and so
on.
Think about it. In "The Siege", we had the siege of New York by
terrorists. "Independence Day" gave us the total destruction of
the major cities of America and the world by aliens. "The
Towering Inferno" had thousands of people trapped in a burning
skyscraper. In "Deep Impact", an asteroid destroyed many of
America's cities, including New York. "Die Hard 2" gave us a
maniac international terrorist blowing up parts of New York with
bombs. "Airforce One" had the terrorist disaster scenario taken
to the President's plane. With "The Rock", terrorists seize
Alcatraz island, and threaten to shell the city with
thermonuclear devices. Finally, "Godzilla" had New York totally
devastated by a giant dinosaur!
Doubtless, this not the end of the list. Nevertheless, it makes
the point most clearly. What have we been feeding our minds with
all these years?! It is not just the minds of Americans we are
talking about. The minds of hundreds of millions of people all
over the world, through the power of film distribution, have
contributed powerfully to projecting negative thought power into
the non-material realms from which all Effects eventually emerge.
Moreover, these images never die. Through the power of video and
DVD purchases and rentals, people continue to feed these disaster
images with energy for decades to come!
What is so fascinating about repeatedly wishing destruction upon
ourselves on this scale? Why do we continue to invest our dollars
in such entertainments to the extent that our wishes are
beginning to manifest in the material world to this horrifying
extent?
Thought has power. The whole of human civilization is testimony
to this. Consequently, perhaps we now have to come to terms with
a brutal fact of life. Negative thoughts and images of our
nation, and of the entire world, CAN produce direct results on
the physical plane that we might never have conceived possible.
Does this mean that Mr. bin Laden, if he indeed masterminded
this attack, is not really guilty of it? No. However, perhaps his
role is somewhat analogous to Judas' in the passion story of
Christ. Certainly, Judas was responsible for his actions.
However, what would have happened if Judas had NOT played his
part? In that case, God's great plan of salvation for humanity
(as understood by Christians) would have been thwarted! Christ
could not have gone to the Cross!
In like manner, the people who organized this event are
certainly responsible for it. However, at another dimension of
reality, they may not be the only ones. Given that we have been
powerfully visualizing destruction upon America for decades,
through the medium of our movies, these people may been
instruments through which our unconscious projections could be
made manifest.
It is the pure materialist who claims that none of this is true;
that there is no scientifically proven link. The esoteric person
knows that there IS a non-material dimension that actually far
exceeds the physical in scope. Such a person also knows the power
of Thought, when channeled and focused in the manner described
here. Perhaps it is time to ask some searching questions of the
type of music, movie, and other forms of entertainment that we
allow ourselves. We need to become fully aware of what the
channeled focus of hundreds of millions of people over a period
of many years is capable of .
Copyright Asoka Selvarajah 2001. All Rights Reserved.
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