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The
Enemy
October 3, 2001
by
Ron Free
The recent horrors in New York, Washington and elsewhere
have left many of us feeling helpless, frustrated and dwarfed
by the sheer magnitude of such disaster. The perennial question
arises, what can one person do? Some evidence suggests that
many people are doing a lot of honest, down-to-earth soul-searching,
and that's a good place to start if we are genuinely concerned
with being part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
The tragedies of September 11th are an effect of something.
Nothing will be gained by looking for solutions at the level
of effects. If we are to successfully "root out the evil"
as President Bush has resolved to do, we must look to the
realm of cause. We need look no further than the hearts and
minds of human beings.
When we see images of Palestinians dancing in the streets,
the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, does it fill us with murderous
rage and the desire for revenge? As understandable as that
may be, if America acts on such feelings, as some so-called
Americans have already done against anyone with an Arabic
appearance, then we are just as guilty as the "enemy," because
this is precisely what motivated them. And I'm sure they felt
every bit as justified for their feelings and actions because
of the many acts of terrorism they feel our government has
committed against them. While Americans have not exactly danced
in the streets, we have, for the most part, been oblivious
to their pain and suffering.
I'm not suggesting that nothing be done. Certainly action
must be taken, but it must not spring from the same cesspit
that spawned the atrocities. The collective consciousness
of mankind is filled with all manner of ill spirits such as
fear, hatred, jealousy, envy and greed. Individually we have
all contributed to that morass. Is it any wonder the world
is in such a mess?
Here, then, is what the proverbial one person--the one called
I--can do: I can "root out the evil" from within my own mind
and heart by no longer allowing these ill sprits to find expression
through my thoughts, words and deeds. I can choose instead
to let the light of love shine through these capacities of
body, mind and heart. A wise man once said that perfect love
casts out fear. Well, it casts out all the other demons too.
My individual consciousness is part of the collective consciousness,
so when I let this exorcism occur in me it has an immediate
effect in the mass consciousness. If enough people choose
to operate at this level of true cause it could have far reaching
effects, perhaps even as far as Afghanistan and beyond.
Anyone care to join me?
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