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We have all seen a lot of the American perspective and I thought it was prudent to get an Arab perspective.
Quote for the day.
There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity.
Nathaniel Branden, American Expert on Self-esteem, Author,
Psychologist
Creating this board yesterday did wonders for my state of mind. I hope to keep this board going with at least daily thoughts that promote positive energy, peace and tolerance.
p.s. thanks to everyone who has contributed.
Let us stop playing to our emotions — there is no justice on earth — it is humans who rule and they have not taken to heart the justice that is called for in all religions.
It is well worth reading... it was definitely written from the heart.
I thought this was worth a read.
Will Anyone Answer?
Suraya Al-Shehry, Special to Arab News
http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=24383
I don’t know what the title of this article will finally become or in what section of the paper it will go. It is a series of questions that have been left hanging but they are questions which we ask ourselves. Some are spoken loudly and others are whispered, while looking to the right and left. I can stand it no longer; I need answers. Who will respond?
I am an Arab Muslim woman who is concerned about the Arab attitude. What has become of it? Where has it gone? Is it just a word or a feeling or is it no more than history? What is happening around us?
Please don’t take my questions lightly. Yes, I know very well that what is happening did not come about suddenly or while we were sleeping. We have kept abreast of events as they unfolded and yet, weren’t we asleep? Aren’t we still? What is required of us? Can we object? In front of whom and for whom?
We say that Saddam Hussein is an oppressor and his regime must end. Do we wish for the war to be won as quickly as possible so that there will be the fewest losses — let the winner take what he wants and leave Iraq and its people in peace? Is that an impossible dream? How will this dream come about if the Americans actually win? What has happened in Afghanistan? Then resistance is the answer. But wait; I don’t support Saddam and wish that he had long ago fallen from power. Each time resistance to his regime surfaces, violence against the population increases.
We say that the Arab nations are oppressed. Will someone explain to me then what is happening in the land of democracy, freedom and the American way? Are the voices of citizens listened to there? Do their opinions matter? Has their right to live or die been protected? Let us stop playing to our emotions — there is no justice on earth — it is humans who rule and they have not taken to heart the justice that is called for in all religions.
I am sick and tired of these power games. I am a woman whose concern is to get a good night’s sleep without worrying. I want to see my children grow up without fearing they will be shot. I don’t want to open the newspaper and see pictures of the dead or have to hear about wars and horrors. I want to live in peace, to raise my children in peace and live to see my grandchildren. I don’t want my life to be stolen from me or for my simple dreams to be destroyed. I cannot bear to watch the news anymore or read official statements or Security Council minutes or reports of disarmament. France is with us. Or is she simply on the side of her own interests? Germany, Belgium and even that country many of whose roots are Arab — is Grenada falling again?
Why do we Arabs always argue? Every time we come together, we disagree, shout and threaten. We do not allow a different opinion to be heard. That opinion is wrong and mine is right; that is always the way it is. Who decides the right and the wrong? Are there really any absolute truths? Why do we always give ourselves the right to declare that those who argue with us are wrong and try to shut them up? And if the other person speaks with some logic, we look for holes in that logic in order to disprove him. Do you want to convince me that we Arabs are special creatures with minds and wills unlike those of others?
I have heard about what is called modern dialogue. It is quite rare to see this here or even abroad. Why do you suppose that is so? Do they not disagree? Do they have no important issues and principles that they believe in and stand up for? Definitely not — but they do know how to manage their differences and argue so that they reach a common ground without having to air their dirty linen. As for us Arabs, we slander and backbite and our logic is too often twisted or non-existent.
My belief is that what we suffer from today began in our homes with our way of life. We can only blame ourselves for Saddam and his ilk. Look inside yourself — lest a person planted on good soil err from the path of good as Saddam and Bush have done. Please forgive me if I seem mixed up.
I am no more than an example of the confusion in every person.
***
(Suraya Al-Shehry is a Saudi writer. She is based in Riyadh.)
wow... very impressive article by Wendell Berry. Highly recommended reading at that link you provided.
Here's another excerpt that I particularly liked...
It is useless to try to adjudicate a long-standing animosity by asking who started it or who is the most wrong. The only sufficient answer is to give up the animosity and try forgiveness, to try to love our enemies and to talk to them and (if we pray) to pray for them. If we can't do any of that, then we must begin again by trying to imagine our enemies' children who, like our children, are in mortal danger because of enmity that they did not cause.
We can no longer afford to confuse peaceability with passivity. Authentic peace is no more passive than war. Like war, it calls for discipline and intelligence and strength of character, though it calls also for higher principles and aims. If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we now prepare for war.
Kentucky farmer Wendell Berry is the author of more than thirty books including, most recently, In the Presence of Fear: Three Essays for a Changed World.
http://www.oriononline.org/pages/om/03-2om/Berry.html
Hi Sara
Nice idea, hope you are well
Ergo Sum
ergo, xxray,
it's such a good poem, I put it in the iBox. Thanks again for your contributions.
Thank you, ergo sum :)
You've donne well
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. . . .
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/2237/lit/Meditation17.html
I have found more inspiration from that book than all the other books I have read combined but I think that it is a personal thing. The Gita is very deep and difficult to grasp for some.
Another excellent post.
I bought a copy of the Bhagavad-Gita a while back. I think it was from reading some of Chopra's books that I first heard about it. So it's been sitting on my shelf waiting for me... now I'm inspired to pick it up again.
I first read it in the preface of the book "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway, a book a highly recommend. I believe the author of the poem was John Donne but again, I am quoting it from memory and it has been many years since I read it.
Here is a thought of mine. I don't know if it is something I read somewhere or something that comes from inside me. In either case, I think it is relevant to this board.
You know that you have become enlightened when you can love your enemies as well as you love your friends
The general theme is stated in the Bhagavad-Gita which I read everyday. It was also one of the books that Gandhi treasured. Below is a quote from Ghandi about the Bhagavad-Gita.
"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it everyday."
Mohandas K. Gandhi
Excellent poem, xxrayeyes, thanks!
A peom about peace and the interconnected nature of humanity. I am writing this from memory so please forgive me if I get a couple of words wrong.
No man is a land entire of himself
Each man is a piece of the main
A part of the whole
If a clod be washed away by the sea
Europe is the lesser
As well as if a promentorie were
As well as if a manner of thy friends or of thine own were
Each man's death diminishes me
Because I am involved in mankind
Therefore, never send out to know for whom the bell tolls
It tolls for thee
Maybe we're more alike that we think...
The Golden Rule:
"Do unto others as you would have done unto you." This wisdom is represented in ancient teachings and religions throughout the world:
Hindu Faith "This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain." - The Mahabharata
Jewish Faith "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary." - The Talmud
Zoroastrian Faith "Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others." - Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29
Buddhist Faith "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." - Udana-Varga 5:18
Christian Faith "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." - The Gospel of Matthew Matt 7:12, Luke 6:31
Muslim Faith "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." - Hadith
Baha'i Faith "And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself." - Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 30
TAOIST "Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain and your neighbor's loss as your own loss." - T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien
BRAHMAN "This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." - Mahabharata 5:1517
CONFUCIAN "Surely it is the maxim of lovingkindness: Do not unto others what you would not have done unto you." - Analects 15:23
ZOROASTRIAN "That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself." - Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5
JAINISM "In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self" - Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara
SIKHISM "Don't create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone." - Guru Arjan Devji 259, Guru Granth Sahib
And yet some other sources:
"Do not do unto others what angers you if done to you by others." Isocrates 436-338 BCE
"And it harm none, do what thou wilt." Wiccan Rede
"Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one's life?' The Master said, 'It is perhaps the word "shu." Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'" Analects, 15.24
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/peace.html
Peace begins at home
There is a saying that "Peace begins at home". I believe that to be true.
We must begin our search for peace within ourselves.
When we fully understand our own strengths as well as weaknesses,
then we can be sensitive to the talents and needs of all others.
When we can be at peace with our own beliefs and not feel threatened by the beliefs of others,
then we can begin to understand the spiritual vastness of our soul, and its position in the universe at large.
When we can clearly discern between good and evil within ourselves,
then we can look with empathy upon the deeds of others.
When we can see all of the world's people as our own family;
mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters,
then we can be at peace with our own position.
Then we can be of assistance in the world. - Sarah. A. McUmber-House
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/peace.html
Welcome! I set up this board to refocus our energies on peace and tolerance. This is a place to come when you want to regain calm and perspective.
Please feel free to make suggestions for the iBox!
Enjoy!
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