Monday, September 11, 2006

Reflections on 911

0730hrs, sitting on the beach watching the reflections of the sky on the sea and the changing colours as the sun brakes through early morning cloud, contemplating on the changes over the past five years, since the horrors of 9/11 shook the world and trying to work out what lessons we have learned.

If we accept and practice the principal of an “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” then we will never really have lasting peace and happiness in this world, we can only suffer the anxiety, fear, hatred, and the paranoia of revenge and its consequence. Revenge is not so sweet when we are on the receiving end, violence only creates violence. Nobody can escape the consequences of their actions.

To break this vicious circle someone has to have the courage to make a change, to develop love, kindness and compassion for others, then, we have a chance to live in peace and harmony. We all depend on each other; this is as much so within our families as it is between Nations, as it is between mankind and the planet we live on.

The Dalai Lama said “Benefit others....... If you can not benefit others, don’t harm them”, simple words and a simple lesson that would change the world if we practiced it.

I go home and light incense for all victims of terrorism and war.

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