I was just listening to Bob Marley’s song “War”, marveling that 50 years later those lyrics ring true as ever. The words to this song that came out in 1976 are actually derived from a speech given by Emperor Haile Selassie I at the United Nations in 1963. And what’s more, from an earlier speech Selassie gave in 1936 at the League of Nations 90 years ago! Hmmm…what was happening on the world stage at that time?
Like many of you who went to bed last night having learned of the Trump administration’s strikes against Iran, I did not rest easy. Today I’m still reeling, wondering how to make sense of the insanity that continues to escalate by the day, ever since the election.
Our collective stress is palpable and of course we’re not alone in our responses. But how do we face and healthfully integrate the onslaught of attacks both internally and externally, and maintain some semblance of peace of mind and a commitment to keep love in our heart?
I know only to turn inward in mediation, to still myself through the breath, to ask my questions, and then wait for assuredness and calm to take its rightful place.
What I Heard
It’s a tale as old as the history of Earth’s first inhabitants…a tale that waits for a different story to unfold, leading to lasting transformation that can only be realized when you see the Truth of who you really are, as Children of God, equal, without measure. Until then, your moments of peace will remain fleeting, and you will suffer the actions of man against man, and man against planet.
That pronoun is used deliberately here. The imbalance of masculine energy (no matter the physical form) dominates and continues to wage war without regard to consequence. And yet the consequence is indeed profound. Perhaps in your personal life you have not yet discerned the impact, but you cannot be a world citizen and remain completely inured to it. Your ivory towers are built on a foundation of sand.
You ask, “What can I do? What can be done? How can I possibly make a difference?” We say, Do not drown in your despair because that will serve no purpose. The only real hope you have is for more and more of you to come together, to unite in your common need. The tide cannot and will not be stemmed as long as you do not give up and do not buy into the false narrative.
Think about some of your most revered teachers…Jesus and Mary, Buddha, Muhammad, Ghandi, MLK, Mother Teresa, and now Pope Leo, to name just a few. What were their messages? What did and do they teach? Can you channel their wisdom and allow it to inspire you to peaceful action so that you find a way to imprint who you are into what may seem like a hopeless situation? You will never awaken to the dream of peace on Earth if you give into war…within yourself or between your brothers and sisters. Hate only begets more hate.
Let love rule. Cultivate it in yourself on a daily basis, moment by moment, and come together with like-minded community that endeavors to do the same. Feel the power of love that honors all who reside on this planet, despite the darkness that may spring forth in an individual or group. There is no place here for hate’s false directives. Act from pure Love, your Higher Self, Supreme Intelligence, from Light, from the Universal Stream of Consciousness, from God…and find your answers there.
And Finally…
Given that message and what I know for myself, I choose to heed the Voice for Love. To quote another Rastafarian singer, Winston Rodney (Burning Spear), “Jah is my driver.”