Tolerance across our differences, mutual respect because there's a spark of the Creator in all of us and shared responsibility to make our world a better place: these are values Dr. Jehan Sadat and I discussed last week in London to an audience of more than 500. Although the conference was planned more than eight months ago, given the recent uprising in Egypt, our event could not have materialized at a more relevant time.
I invited Dr. Sadat to join me for a conference on the Power of Peace, and it was a great honor to hear her talk on a topic that is her beloved husband's legacy. The core idea, which will remain alive well beyond the conference, is that positive action taken by each one of us individually paves a pathway to positive global change. We are the peacekeepers. You and me, and "they." It is up to us, in our daily lives, to be aware of our own intolerances. When we disagree -- in politics, in business, in our relationships -- we need to give the other person the space to live and worship safely. Whether those across the table from us pray to a different god, speak a different language, or vote for a different candidate, their right to do so is indisputable.
Dr. Sadat and I are so different on the surface. But on closer inspection, our similarities are striking. We are women from the same generation, the wives of men who took a stand against the traditional establishment and created change against all odds. Destiny pushed us to step-up to the position of leadership and we find ourselves driving the same message forward: The power to change the world starts one person at a time. This choice to come together to celebrate our likenesses and honor our differences is what I refer to as Global Spirituality.
The winds of change are upon us now. The voice of the people must be heard. Oppression cannot co-exist with human dignity. The time is ripe for us to fulfil our spiritual purpose and to return to our original wholeness as one soul, encompassing all our differences and individual uniqueness. More and more people are opening up to view the world in this interconnected way. What was a grassroots peace movement 30 or 40 years ago has now become mainstream.
Dr. Sadat is compassionate to Israel. "I understand your concern. I know you are nervous about the new movement to democracy. But don't be." Her words calmed the turbulent waters as she affirmed that the peace treaty her husband pioneered with Egypt will be honored.
There is no time like the present for everyone to come together. Like the single strands of a rope interwoven together, we will be strong enough to pull ourselves out of darkness.
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True, in THE SPIRIT we are one. By righteousness or right action we must each choose between good and evil. As we each evolve from out EGO SELF to the HIGHER SELF to THE SELF. We are one.
But amazing that MODERN TIME that has no global or national leaders now seems to think if we stand together holding hands singing KUMBYA we are whole and one. Usually with great organizers who are paid well while the organizee is paid 0 with much work
GROUP THERAPY is nice. Sharing SPIRIT is nice. But Global Societies, Nation States, Groups, Think Tanks, Lobbyist, Organized Communities etc. come together for ADVANTAGE. Not SELF REALIZATION. Not the freedom of choice.
What part of nature makes one think we come here or leave here together. Eternity is the individual Soul becoming the ONE SOUL Each person One by One. Grouping is not a path.
This great country was founded on INDIVIDUAL RIGHT and FREE CHOICE to create the Atmosphere of this freedom. Not to destroy that freedom as political groups have. Yes, many group are working in the wrong direction. Not freeing man, enslaving man. Many force the one
I do not see this as a solution, a problem
What's happening portends watershed change, which will have a far and beneficial reach. It's good to read the words of someone who knows this.
"Buddhists should not be the aggressors even in protecting their religion or anything else. They must try their best to avoid any kind of violent act. Sometimes they may be forced to go to war by others who do not respect the concept of the brotherhood of humans as taught by the Buddha. They may be called upon to defend their country from external aggression, and as long as they have not renounced the worldly life, they are duty-bound to join in the struggle for peace and freedom. Under these circumstances, they cannot be blamed for becoming soldiers or being involved in defence. However, if everyone were to follow the advice of the Buddha, there would be no reason for war to take place in this world. It is the duty of every cultured person to find all possible ways and means to settle disputes in a peaceful manner, without declaring war to kill his or her fellow human beings."
As always in questions of morality, when choosing whether to fight or not to fight a Buddhist must examine his own motivations honestly. It is too easy and too common to rationalize one has pure motives when in fact one is fearful and angry. For most of us self-honesty on this level takes extraordinary effort and maturity, and history tells us that even senior priests with years of practice can lie to themselves.
Since we're part of the Universe, we'd be part of 'god', the end result being that we should just pray to ourselves because we're god and as such we're the only ones that can make things better for ourselves.
Where do such things hide in the woodwork
Such person must go into the lion's den [among corrupt world leaders] and radiate peace until they feel obliged to follow peace. They must be patient, endure much, willing to be alone and have no individual ties to provide a handle to be turned away from the goal. They must have no interest in material goods, a love for all life and radiating love to every life type, even blood suckers. Such man has to be a christ, buddha or a spiritual leader as known to indigenous people, a shaman or witchdoctor.
Should we find any such one integrating the beliefs of all sources revealing the understanding of man in society and the self reproducing environment's life, from whence man evolved and must return, he should be exalted to the leadership position as servant of the people and not his own material desires.
Such would be peace bringers of global spirituality, so let us seek them out for if there is one there are others not far behind.
Christ, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammad. Did not lead people especially the Material World. They taught each person to lead themselves from within to without to the SPIRIT in all the Universe beyon the Material World and Material world things, desires and emotions.
Where is it ever said or written to make the Material World heaven on earth. "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven", "Ask and it will be given", Be in the world, BUT NOT of the WORLD". "the last shall be first"
Where did it say: "we will get there together"
In the Bible what is called "the lord's prayer" say "thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven" suggesting there will be a peace and unity on earth as it is beyond. In Isaiah 2:1-4 is the suggestion of such peace that man will cease making weapons of war and began to make things for producing food. That suggests we will enter peace together, at least for a short time.