The recent
events in America are perhaps symbolic of the crisis in humanity.
Let us pray with America for all those who have perished, for all
who have lost their dear ones, for all who are suffering. Let us
invoke the Divine Grace for its intervention, so that a true and
permanent solution may come to these problems.
We are
sure that the world will come out greater, purer and stronger from
this ordeal. We hope that through this crisis all the nations will
come closer to work together, not only against international terrorism,
but for a new, brighter and happier future for all humankind.
11th
September 2001 is being looked upon as a defining day in America's
history and even in the world's evolution. The T.V. played a major
role in bringing the stark reality, the pain and horror of the tragedy
to every nook and corner of the earth with an immediate and telling
effect. The first reaction was of complete disbelief - that such
a thing could at all happen, and on such a scale and that too in
America.
Then
there was an onrush of mixed and, contradictory emotions, contradictory
not only between different nations, but within each nation and finally
within each individual. The innumerable channels on the T.V. and
the Radio vied with each other to present constantly, for 24 hours
in the day, discussions and statements from eye-witnesses, laymen
and experts, leading to a wide range of different, even opposing,
feelings and view-points, hasty speculations and short-sighted conclusions,
concerning the reasons for this human tragedy as well as attitudes
to be taken in its aftermath.
The strong
views ranged across the entire spectrum:
"revenge
no matter what it costs".
"they deserved it, it serves them right".
"only when one is hit oneself one realises what others are
going through".
"should not one introspect why one is so much hated in the
world."
"we are of one religion. We must unite and fight the aggressors".
"what one sows one is bound to reap".
"will a new war make the situation worse or better".
"should one respond to hatred with hatred and to anger with
anger".
"should we not strive for peace at all costs, in all situations,
whatever the provocation. This is the only way".
"there are times or forces which demand a strong response,
even to bring about peace."
Many
genuinely believed in what they were saying. Many were evidently
hypocritical where the purpose was to gain some short term personal
objective or gain, whether they were speaking as individuals or
on behalf of and as spokesman of their countries.
In the
midst of all these conflicting views and voices, we have received
a large number of letters, from people all over the world, seeking
a greater clarity from a spiritual and deeper viewpoint, about the
causes of such happenings, seeking a higher light which can guide
them in their attitudes and actions and the stand they must take.
But no
mental analysis or understanding can be a sufficient guiding light
in such situations where each action or non-action can have far
reaching consequences. If the mind and the feelings were sufficient,
we would have found a solution and a harmony long ago.
It
is only a highly developed spiritual consciousness which can see
the forces at work in their true nature and their totality. We would
like to make it very clear that we do not possess such a light and
consciousness and therefore it would be wrong for us to make a judgement,
to assign blame and to take a definite stand and viewpoint, specially
with regard to specific responses and actions of individuals and
nations. Further in the midst of these confusions and strong emotions,
the important and basic issues have often got clouded or have entirely
disappeared. The lasting solutions have been lost sight of for immediate
results and gains, however disastrous the ultimate consequences
may be.
We have
therefore decided to take up some broad and general issues which
have been raised by the recent events, and to present some answers
in the light of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother which could help us
in taking a right stand and attitude. As to what this right stand
or attitude must be, we cannot judge. It is for each person to find
and decide on the basis of his or her own sincerity.
Along
with the quotes of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, we also present
some views, which we feel are catholic, wide and deep, and could
be of interest to our viewers and readers, who are not satisfied
with a superficial answer and would like to find a truly satisfying
solution. As this cannot be done in a brief and cursory manner,
we have tried to deal with the issues at some length, for they have
a great bearing on the future of the earth. We have highlighted
some texts in bold for greater emphasis.
The major
issues we will take up are:
1. What is terrorism?
How is it different from a genuine struggle of oppressed
people?
2. Is a terrorist attack another type of
War?
3. How can War be eliminated from the earth?
Why have all the efforts at doing so failed upto now?
4. What are the causes of such terrible events
and conflicts? Is there some positive or some other aspects also
involved which we are unable to see behind this destruction?
5. As an individual, what should be my attitude
in the present circumstances? How can I contribute in my own way
towards a better and a happier future for all humankind.
6. Are anger, hatred, wrath, revenge justified in the face of certain
actions and provocations? Can they ever lead to a solution?
7. Is non-violence the highest law? Should all violence be necessarily
met with non-violence? Or can there be situations where a strong,
even violent, action is not only justified but even necessary?
8. Is there anything like fate or destiny for the individual? Were
all the persons who perished destined to die? Could they have saved
themselves? Is there a collective destiny? How and why is it that
some persons were saved as if by a miracle?
In this
issue we have provided some possible answers for questions 1 to
5. In the next issue we will take up questions 6 to 8.
