The View from Abroad

[Lydia Leftcoast]

Ernest Partridge's essay reminds me of what an expatriate friend in Tokyo told me. He said that he'd observed a distinct trend among his relatives back in the States: those who had never been outside their home county were the most conservative, and those who had lived overseas were the most liberal.

I see the trend in my own family. They're liberal to the extent that they have experienced ways of life outside their own.

Living on a military base or taking a two-week bus tour or going to a Club Med doesn't count.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Interesting

I've only been to Canada, and that was as a child. Other than that, I haven't been outside this country. But I have international friends, and have lived around folks from different countries since I was very young. Of the members of my family, I am the only one who hasn't been overseas, and yet I would say that I am the most liberal, and definately the most politically active. Perhaps I am the exception which proves the rule.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. But I'm sure that your involvement with Sufism has brought you into

contact with a wider variety of people and cultures than the average American.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Oh yes

When you are an initiate, no matter what order, you are a brother or sister to all other Sufis. I have been to dhikar ceremonies where I was only one of two people who spoke English, and felt right at home. The feeling of fellowship is one I wish all people around the world could have. As one fellow said who came to my wedding "You know, if this caught on, there could be no more wars."