Cursed are the Peacemakers. . SF Gate Article. . .

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Non Amma yet Relating to Amma. . .

 

CURSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS. . .by Deepak Chopra. . .published in the San

Francisco Gate on December 8, 2008

 

 

 

The catastrophic and horrendous attacks in Mumbai are being labeled as

India's 9/11. Several thousand innocent civilians have already died in

India as the result of bombings over the past few years. But this

particular attack, striking at the most prestigious sites in the

country's most prestigious city, has had a unique psychological effect.

As with 9/11, a symbolic wound has been opened. The image of India as

progressive and modern has been shattered.

 

 

The Mumbai tragedy threatens to become 9/11 in a darker way, however. It

is the ignition point for fear and hatred of " the other. " For Americans,

" the other " arrived as a band of jihadist fanatics, a class of enemy we

had barely paid attention to before we were attacked. In the case of

Mumbai, " the other " is ready-made, since India has long hated and fought

against Pakistan. Bitter recriminations and saber rattling are standard

fare between the two countries.

 

It will be gospel among the Indian population that Pakistan is totally

responsible for the raids.

Making peace in such an inflamed situation is impossible. Curses fall on

anyone who suggests that a sane approach needs to be taken, one that

isn't rife with fear and suspicion. Here we have something small to be

grateful for. The Bush administration didn't use the Mumbai attacks as

an excuse to rev up fear and loathing in this country. This shows rare

restraint. Such calmness could lead to productive action.

 

We don't need new information about the problem of Islamic terrorism.

The situation has been analyzed over and over since 9/11. There's

nothing more to understand. The tinderbox is there, ready to explode at

any moment.

 

Now it's time to stop reacting against " the other " as crazed fanatics.

Reactions of fear and hatred are understandable when you've been

attacked, but we need to heal our own post-traumatic stress disorder.

For it is a disorder, not a normal way of life. Knowing the multiple

factors that breed terrorism, the U.S. has been called upon to lead the

world in curing them. The project may take 50 years, which is wearisome.

But it took longer than that to give freed slaves in this country a

chance for a decent life, and above all a chance for acceptance as

equals.

 

In an era of globalization, labeling anyone " the other " is a luxury we

can no longer afford. We should be focusing our efforts on helping the

dispossessed of the world to rise. At the same time, we must pressure

the wealthy elites in Arab society to stop denying their role in the

gestation of terrorism. There's a huge amount to do, but the key thing

is for the U.S. to take a healing attitude rather than an attitude of

militaristic belligerence. Terrorism can be policed. That was proven

over the past seven years since 9/11. But policing a threat isn't the

same as defusing it. Change can only come about in Arab states if they

want to change. At present most of these countries act paralyzed. They

suffer from massive potential threats within their own borders. They

will remain paralyzed without American leadership. The Saudis fear the

very factions of jihadists that they bribe to keep the peace. That's the

reality. Therefore it's also the reality that we must become

peacemakers, even if the job is currently a cursed one.

 

 

 

Deepak is the author of over 50 books on health, success, relationships

and spirituality, including his most recent novel, " Jesus: A Story of

Enlightenment, " He is an Adjunct Professor at Kellogg School of

Management.

 

 

 

 

Aum Amriteswaryai Namaha

 

marci