All We Are Saying …
Came across a website that has me drawing lines of connection for myself: http://www.onepercentapeacearmy.org/default.aspx
I’ve always been very pacifistic in my leanings. Not anti-American, OK? My Dad was a Marine, and my brother served in Viet Nam, so don’t start misconstruing that I’m anti-soldier, anti-freedom, anti-anything that I don’t directly say. But to be honest, I’m pretty much a “hippy” through and through, and my view on violence isn’t any different.
I’ve always sensed the deep, abiding peace that permeates our world. Even as a young child, I can remember feeling the wind, “hearing” the things the Divine said through creation. Whispers … not shouts of violent protest, but whispers of the possibility of peace.
John Lennon was my favorite Beatle, not just because of the music (although the words he wrote still move anyone who will listen), but because he stood for an idea that seemed impossible — “you may say that I’m a dreamer; but I’m not the only one…” I hoped one day to join him, and began my journey there.
My heritage is partially Native American. I find a lot of kinship there in their beliefs and the way they lived their lives. No, we are all man and we have our “crap.” But their perspective — the way they lived with and in the land, instead of desiring to conquer and subdue it — has always echoed in my soul. Like many people, I was enamored with Gandhi. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for a society I longed for. I began by reading about them. Then, I taught my children about them. Now, my heart is constantly trudging along the path of passive resistance. I see what could be … for along time, I thought maybe it was only a vision of heaven. Now, I think God’s intent is that it starts right here - right now.
Everything I do now is moving toward that dream. The way I treat the land; the way I treat others. I’m even beginning to soften in my feelings toward the corrupt religious institutions I so often rant against. Not agreeing with them; but not letting them influence me or my decisions in their constant, violent desire for power and wealth. And no, that’s not a slam — that’s an observation from the position of an insider for so long.
Anyway, finding the 1% is exciting for me because of where I’m at in life. And I also don’t really care how many people tell me it’s crazy or useless or whatever. I like the way the site puts it … violence in any form distracts from us as created beings, unique and purposed. Whether it’s the violence of loneliness, or the violence of not providing care for someone we can.
There is a Hindu (I believe) word: “Namaste”. It means, “The Divine in me recognizes the Divine in you.” It’s a term that ties us all together — that uses our common humanness as a velvet cord, interconnecting us. Another term I love (which I am soon to tattoo on me) is the Swahili word, “Unbuntu,” which states, “I am who I am because of those around me” or to me, those I share my life with.
Other cultures war and fight, I know. Many are much more physically violent to their members than ours — or at least, comparable. But for now, I hope to be an agent of peace wherever I am. To bring love and understanding, not conquest and war. To do what I can, where I’m at, to end the cycle and be counted as a peacemaker. Hey, it’s an aspiration, right? There’s no where to go but up, as I see it.
OK, now to end the violence of loneliness for my dad, and give him a call to try out those new hearing aids …
we are soul sisters
I’m into everything you speak of
John and Yokos peace in’s
Native American indians and their spirituality
Namaste…I teach Yoga..It’s actually sanskrit btw.
I am a peacemaker. My work here on this earth is to spread the message of peace. Funny thing is it’s everyones work. They just don’t know it. I LOVE it when I come across others who realize it.
Oh and I’m married to a traditional/fundemental Christian minister.
Much Love to you
Have a great weekend
[...] Here’s another interesting post I read today by lostgirlfound [...]
Wow you and Kris have some similarities…you think?
I am actually full Native American (Cree and Saulteaux) - or as we call it up here - First Nations. I like the nod you give to the culture - it is all so very true.
I also love Lennon and a lot of the ideas within his writings…and King Jr, Gandhi, and the host of others within the pacificsm movement. To me, it’s the only sane step for humanity’s future - peace.
Wow! You guys have made my day! SVS … the Ojibwa word is “Anishanabi,” which is “first ones” or “first people.” (that’s the Michigan majority tribe). You could probably teach me a lot! Yeah, I’ve been corresponding with Kris today … we’re trying to see if we can connect in the real world.
Thanks again, friends! It’s good not to walk the path alone
Ojibiwa or Anishnawbi - that also part of the culture I am from the Saulteaux - who are descendents of that region - moved West due to over crowding in the region. So the people over there and I - well were from the same blood lines. There’s some history for you.
I have been talking with people about their stands on various issues (like war and gun control) and to me to only sane stand is that of non-violence - yet this is not what I always here from other Christians - somehow they can justify violence and guns that lead to violence - I just can’t and never try.
I think I am drawn to speakers like Lennon (even Bono and Dylan) due to their conscience about various arena’s of life and the concern they have for people - not things, ideas, and countries. Whereas what gets me about people like King Jr., Gandhi, and Mother Theresa is there living memories and how they stood for something so ‘moral’ and were yet deemed as threats even in their peaceful mentalities. I think they show us that a lot can be accomplished by living a life of non-violence and I also think they draw upon the gospels for some of the inspiration. I admire that deeply - they stood for something and then backed it up with their very lives. I look at them and I think I see the greatest reflection this faith can find in our new world.
But that’s just how I live life also - I want to he a help not a hindrance to the freedoms of the society around me. I find fear tactics do not quite produce freedom but bondage to an ideal - and that in and of itself can create drama in one’s life - so much so we see Christians acting in ways counter to their teachings. That always bothered me you know. I blog about it but I am also involved on a small level in my local community to see that kind of stuff change.
I have goose bumps just listening to this conversation! My spirit is screaming,”YES, YES, YES”!!!!!!! It was meant to happen sooner or later. There is a growing awareness, a kind of simmering in people’s hearts & spirits. There are many on this new path which is actually not new at all, is it? We are coming full circle and engaging with each other and our environment. It reminds me of the old Coca-cola commercial (not to be trivial about the whole thing) I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. I’d like to give the world a Coke and keep it company(or something like that). And all the people are standing side by side and passing a coke to the next person. Does anyone remember the words?
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