The Paradox of War and Peace

Last night I attended the Bushnell presentation of "Hair." I tapped my feet and laughed at the humorous dialogue...I teared up at the futility of the protests of the Hippies...(I dropped my jaw in shock when I realized they really did drop their clothes on stage)...and I cried from the bottom of my soul for the reality of the pain and suffering war brings to all participants. I was One with the people and events of this time in history.  

The "turn on, tune in, drop out" escapism philosophy of the Hippie Movement could not work, any more than turning off all of our technology would make war go away just because we cannot see or hear about it. There is no escape.  

Likewise, through the law of correspondence, we create what we send forth. Violence begets violence; war begets war. For every Bin Laden, or other terrorist, or terrorist organization, domestic or foreign, 10 more will take their place.  

As I watched the celebrating crowds in the streets, it looked, for the most part, like the people celebrating on the streets of Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Israel or Iraq after "victories" against Americans, or each other. We are not as different as we would like to think.

We all want the same things. We want to be happy, healthy, loved and accepted. We want to have food, clothing, safety and security. We want to laugh and cry together. We want to live, and learn, and create.  

The deepest cut...is that the only thing that stands in our way is ourselves. 

WE have the intelligence, wisdom and power to become peacemakers. To do so, we will have to let go of the beliefs that war can bring peace, and violence can bring victory.  

Do not think for one moment that I am not supporting our troops. Herein is the paradox. War and Peace are both current realities. To end war we must learn peace. Until we learn peace, we will most likely have war. We are doing what we have to do, until we get to the place where we can do otherwise. I love them, I have immeasurable gratitude for the sacrifice they are willing to make, and I bless them and pray that one day we CAN beat our swords into plowshares and NOBODY will go to war. 

We must work to the best of our abilities to be peacemakers. We can change our own minds and hearts...turning them to peace. We must then have the courage and fortitude to speak our truth. Even if we are rejected. Even if we are humiliated. Even if we feel like a "voice crying out in the wilderness."  

Back in 2011, after the World Trade Center attack, I reached out to make pen pals around the world. Today I am still in contact with a number of them. Many will read the words I am writing right now.  

Most importantly, I encourage you to strive for enlightenment. Read. Pray. Study. Learn. Darkness is simply the absence of light. BE the light. Remember the promise of our great brother, wayshower and teacher Jesus, "YOU are the light of the world, let your light shine before all, so they may see the good that you do and give glory to God.   

Please take just a few more minutes to read the peace prayers from several world religions that I have included in this message. I encourage you to print them out and take them into your prayer time, praying with and for each other.

May Peace Prevail on Earth. RevAli 

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you. To your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind. Let us learn to share all the good things that you provide for us on this Earth.

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High. And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation - neither shall they learn war any more. And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

"Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be known as the Children of God. But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To those who strike you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from those who take away your cloak, do not withhold your coat as well. Give to everyone who begs from you, and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."