How lovely it is to wake to the sound of rain. I am looking out on trees, dripping in joy. The trunks are more brown and the leaves more green.
It is Veteran's Day. I sit with that, and all my mixed feelings on power, force, war, aggression, and defense. Each cell has it's own little system to take care of itself. How do we deal with all of that when we are a group of cells, a collection of people, a gobbling gaggle of countries?
My book group met last night and, among other things, discussed Reza Aslan's book No god but God, The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam. It is an important book to read, because each one of us on the planet needs to better understand the beliefs and origins of this vast and diverse group of people. One woman commented that wars are related to religion, and it does seem to be so, especially since religion represents so much more than spiritual belief to most people. We are indoctrinated at a very early age into certain thought patterns we seem to feel a need to defend. I had thought war was more about territory, but it does seem to be about defending a very specific belief. That brings me to the book by Sam Harris, The End of Faith, Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason. I have not yet finished it, but I think he is offering solutions, and a way, a need for us to change what we have been taught for something more reasoned.
We are born with the desire for awe. I have spoken of the mountain lion I saw watching the sun set. We need that. We also bond in camaderie over war and football games. How do we channel our needs to a place that fulfills and allows us all to exist in peace? I just finished reading the book Synchronicity, The Inner Path of Leadership by Joseph Jaworski. I think it offers possibilities.
It seems like a good day to think of waves of peace. May your boat be strong as you float along, and may today bring ease.
