On Fires, Temples, and the Fallen...

Restore The Temple
The Holy of Holies - A Resplendent Glory Born of Fire, Mystery, and Religion
Source: Flybrite

On this auspicious holyday and solemn day of remembrance, let us reflect on life's passages... "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un;" and, let us salute one another in celebration of Life… “L’Chaim!”

Now, let us pause to consider several of the pressing issues of our day…

Regarding Terry Jones and his ongoing threats to organize an international Quran burning, I will not speak ill of him. However, I will lay the truth of his ways before you… Any fool can pick up the horn and blow, yet few can actually play the sacred songs. Allow the charlatans to pose as people of God, and their ignorance will be yours, too. Allow the likes of Terry Jones to lead you, and his every missed step will be yours as well.

Those who seek to find war will find war in loads too heavy to carry; Armed regiments and a breathtaking menagerie of implements dressed for no purposes other than death, cruelty, rape and destruction. Trust Terry Jones to lead you into burning books and Holy Crusades, and you trust him to lead you and your descendants into endless and untenable battle, to shield you from a trillion falling swords, and to lead you in Judgement of Eternal Damnation before your Creator. Play with fire if you wish: you will not be stopped – but you will be burned.

Zion is a lion and a lamb at One. Zion is in the fish and the daily bread; In the intimate knowledge of God. Zion is peace, justice, equality, and abundance for all.

To the desperate and hopeful, then, I beg you to take heed: Paradise will not be found toiling in the futility of war and division. You can pound blood and sand into rock – and those rocks into mountains – but you’ll never see the gates of Heaven open to cruel deeds.

Regarding Feisal Rauf and his plans to build Cordoba House at Park51, “an Islamic community center, two blocks (600 feet or 180 meters) away from Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan…” I will speak no ill of him either.

It is right and appropriate that there be a place of honor and remembrance for the Muslim faith at the foot of the fallen Twin Towers. Much as there should similarly be sanctuary for Jews, Americans, Africans, Asians, and all those touched by this cruel and viral game of conflict, reprisal and holocaust.

Muslims have sacrificed dearly for – and invested deeply in – the construction of our world, our country, and our culture. The Middle East has brought us oil, palms, fruits, nuts and other essential commodities along with immeasurable contributions to mathematics, science, poetry and mystery. Muslims have helped build the world’s great universities and churches, along with media and business empires, from which many have benefited. They have paid with millions of innocent lives for the terrorist acts of a few.

Muslims represent the fastest growing and second largest group among humanity – closing in quickly on the ranks of Christianity. Play the peace hand first. Leverage reconciliation and redress of wrongdoing with candor, equality and trust. Raise the sword only as a matter of last and desperate resort: for in raising the sword, you will surely taste its blade, too.

So… Feisal Rauf may or may not be the right man to build an Islamic community center in lower Manhattan. However, it is right that one be built. It is right by the standards of Freedom and it is right by the cause of Peace. Don’t let the strong-arms, hate-baiters, obstructors, and eschatologists carry us into their delusional visions of Paradise won through war. Zion graciously entertains their offers, and respectfully declines.

Re-build the Towers, and restore the Temples. Let the destruction of the World Trade Center be symbolic of the day in which humanity began the profound intellectual leap beyond misguided extremism and violence. Let the empty cavity of Ground Zero serve as a warning to all those who'd use cruelty to achieve their ends: you will not do so in God's name and deceive good souls any longer. God is the tip of your spears, the food in your belly, and the road upon which you travel - but the rewards you seek can only be found in peaceful communities of Earth.

The root of the Abrahamic tradition teaches that through Redemption: evil and tyranny will not stand; knowledge of God will fill the world; nations will recognize the wrongs they have done; and, Israelites will be returned to their homeland, yet people from all cultures and nations will be included, too. In joy and guidance, then, seek forth to build that world of peace, justice, equality, and abundance for all. Selah.

David Davidson
09/11/2010

A Variety of Fools

(l)Terry Jones - (r)Feisal Abdul Rauf

All in the name of God, Good and Righteousness we see a variety of misguided wolves devouring great opportunities to exemplify the spirit of peace, justice and compassion.

We have Terry Jones of “Dove” Outreach who is broadcasting on-again-off-again threats to burn the Holy Quran. What principles and visions of a spiritual experience do these acts of irreverence invite? Ironically Mr. Jones’ expression of self-love-self-loathing mirrors the same discrimination exhibited by the Islamic jihadists. What may very well happen because of his egomaniacal outreach is that his own church will be burned to the ground and he with it.

We also have Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf whose stubborn insistence, building a mosque at Ground Zero, remains unchanged despite the excitement expressed by many different groups. Imam Rauf is a Sufi who had undertaken a mission contrary to true Sufi obligations. As a Sufi, which he claims to be, he is obliged to assuage ill feelings in any way possible in order to encourage the brotherhood and compassion by which Sufis live and breathe.

I support the building of the mosque, as I wholeheartedly encourage a deeper understanding of Islam, which will lead to its well-deserved respect. 
Yes, neighbors should welcome a mosque, as they should any place of peace and worship. But, when the appetite for it suggests negative unwillingness then alternatives must be found to bring the neighbors together, not set them against one another. 
Yes, we need to move all our hearts past the 9/11 event, remember, honor and bless those who died with our hearts and souls, we should celebrate their lives, but we must also resume living life without fear and hate. We must dissolve the pain and anger with our love and respect for the precious moments of the highest possible levels of here and now.

It is difficult to understand or respect Terry Jones and Imam Rauf’s predispositions. 
It is unfortunate that at a time when there is so much confusion and despair worldwide, these two men who are privileged to live free and safe, with the necessities for creative existences, would choose self-interested, ungodly identifications. 
I simply pray that they come to their senses and that the intelligence of their hearts speaks to them louder than their egos.

May we all become the power to heal.

Ora Abel-Russell
09/11/2010

Dove Outreach?

*Note From The Editor: What follows below is an open letter from One World In Concert addressed to the head of Dove Outreach Church in Florida, Terry Jones. As many of our readers may be aware, Mr. Jones has organized an "International Burn the Quran Day," scheduled for September 11th of this year. This deeply offensive event, which Jones claims is retribution against Muslims for 9/11, has been condemned internationally by a wide range of leaders, including US Army General, David Petraeus. Please join One World In Concert by calling for the cancellation of this event, and speaking out in your community against such brazen acts of hatred and provocation.

Mr. Jones:

Like Jim Jones you are inviting your congregation to drink the sweet poisoned Kool-Aid… you will drown them in misguided bitterness and fear and dreadful repercussions from fools such as yourself! Your ignorance is apparent, you’ve obviously never read the Quran,

1-It pronounces God’s Name, the Merciful. There is only One God! You will be burning His Name. May He have Mercy on your silly soul.

2-It honors Christ Jesus as an Apostle of God. You will be burning Jesus’ name.

3- the Quran mentions Mary, mother of Jesus more times than in the New Testament and honors her that many times more. You will be burning Mary’s name.

4- The Old and New Scriptures have rubbish in them as well. Among many problems, the New Testament excludes the Jews and Moslems, while the Old Testament contains a number of striking inconsistencies.

The Quran calls all Unbelievers to return to God…to that Quality of Goodness that enables our seeing the light of LOVE which is God. It’s all around us, in every Gift that’s been given to us.

The problem with people like you, Mr. Jones, is that God is not in YOUR HEART! Burning the Book proves that you not only have no love in your heart, you are TOO STUPID TO KNOW YOU'RE STUPID.

Call off this insane gesture, show that you are indeed a man with God-given consciousness.

One World In Concert

MANY FRIENDS, ONE CIRCLE

Among the Native American Lakota nation, there is a sacred belief that all people are spiritually connected. Regardless of the impediments and distractions that so often divide us - color, religion, politics - we are all brothers and sisters. We are one.

This beautiful notion means that we share all joys and triumphs… and are responsible for each other in our hour of need.

Right now, the Lakota need your help. And it’s so simple to answer the call.

The HUNKA Ceremony, one of the seven sacred ceremonies of the Lakota, is an ancient and private ritual in which this spiritual connection between souls is celebrated. The details of this tradition are passed down orally, recorded only in memory. Sadly, it is now in danger of being lost forever. The Lakota population diminishes daily – elders pass on, and the younger generation is preoccupied with legacies of poverty and poor health.

Now Lakota Elder Leroy Curley is reaching out, opening up the ceremony to you, and the cameras of the organization One World In Concert, to preserve this tradition for all future generations, for all people.

One World In Concert needs to raise $75,000 - $100,000 in order to make this a reality. And, with our October start date, time is short! Please know that every contribution counts. From the most modest personal donation of just a few dollars, to generous corporate sponsorships, you will be making a difference. All contributors will be listed in the film’s credits as our friends, supporters, producers, and sponsors. The finished product will be screened in various venues around the country, and ultimately will be archived in the illustrious Smithsonian Institute, as is our award-winning documentary WISDOMKEEPERS – watch it at www.youtube.com/oneworldinconcert, or donate $50 and receive the DVD as our thanks. Charitable donations of $100 or more will receive the “Hunka: Making Of Relatives Ceremony” DVD when complete.

Won’t you help us stay connected? Reach out to your wide circle of friends and invite them to be part of this HUNKA circle too. Spread the call for support and let’s make this the biggest HUNKA circle ever.

Visit www.oneworldinconcert.com/donate to make your contribution.

All charitable contributions are 100% tax deductible.

Thank you for your continued support!

Ora Abel-Russell
President & CEO
One World In Concert
oraabelrussell@oneworldinconcert.com

On the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Kindred Spirits by Joseph Melancon
Source: www.firstpeople.us

July 8, 2010
United States Department of State
S/SR Global Intergovernmental Affairs
2201 C Street N.W. Suite 1317
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Sir:

In Re: United States Administration reviewing its position in opposition to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by G.A. Res. 61/295 on 13th day of September, 2007.

This U.S. opposition to the Declaration is in the minority of one in the world today and reveals a very narrow-minded outlook. This is wanting to stick with the status quo where the United Nations Organization represents only states and not peoples, now about 4000 peoples with 300 million individuals and growing.

The following are important quotes from the European Parliament which are powerful points in this review, the quotes being from the resolution adopted by the European Parliament of February 9, 1994:

D. whereas the United Nations Organization, despite its name, represents only states and not peoples, and solutions to many problems concerning peoples, particularly indigenous peoples, are therefore difficult to find within it;

E. regretting that, in general, international treaties quite simply neglect the rights of indigenous peoples, even if it is they who must bear the direct or indirect consequences thereof;

F. noting that certain states have concluded treaties with indigenous peoples in the past and that some of those treaties have been shamelessly violated; wherein in this connection, in the context of increasing impoverishment, indigenous people are often the first to be dispossessed of rights, land and resources;

G. dismayed by the violence of every kind to which indigenous peoples have been subjected in the past, and still are; whereas in this connection, the U.N. has recognized the right to intervene when fundamental human rights are under serious threat;

2. Declares that pursuant to U.N. provisions and in the context of a non-violent and fully democratic procedure with due regard for the rights of other citizens, indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own destiny by choosing their institutions, their political status and that of their territory;

3. Takes the view that the U.N. must take advantage of its 50th anniversary to make its bodies more democratic and more effective by enabling peoples without a state, in particular indigenous peoples, to be better represented, especially by involving them in the work of the General Assembly;

4. Solemnly reaffirms that those rights belonging to indigenous peoples have, just as any other being has, the right to life, to respect, the right to freedom of thought and action, to physical security, to health, to justice and to equality concerning the right to use and disseminate their mother tongue and to have the tangible features of their culture protected and disseminated and to have their religious rights and their sacred land respected;

7. Declares that indigenous peoples have the right to the common ownership of their traditional land sufficient in terms of area and equality for the preservation and development of their particular ways of life, such land to be placed at their disposal free of charge; it will therefore be indivisible, non-transferable, imprescriptible and cannot be rented;

9. Declares that indigenous peoples who have been robbed of their rights must be able to obtain fair compensation; if deprivation involves loss of land, this will be made good, first and foremost, by returning the land in question or, alternatively, by providing land at least equal in terms of quality and size to that which has been lost;

10. Calls in the strongest possible terms on states which in the past have signed treaties with indigenous peoples to honor their undertakings, which remain imprescriptible and in this connection gives its firm backing to the U.N. special rapporteur responsible for studying and resolving this problem.

The above cites from the European Parliament Resolution at Parts D, E, F, G and numbers 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, do point out the neglect of indigenous peoples and their human rights prior to the U.N. Declaration of September, 2007.

The Certiorari process was examined by Mr. Matthew L. M. Fletcher, Director of Indigenous Law Center at Michigan State University. Mr. Fletcher examined 163 preliminary memoranda between 1986 and 1983 and he found that the U.S. Supreme Court will not accept a case for review when tribal interests, justice, sovereignty or Indian rights are being violated, even horrendously-zero chance for indigenous rights.

Property rights, land rights, grazing-lands-lease rights are being violated by below market rates which takes $7 million dollars or more a year from the owners of one million acres or more at Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota in tribal and allotted grazing lands. This is violation by federal agencies, B.I.A. & I.R.A., of U.S. domestic law as well! This is tribal & allotted land that is in a capitalist business property law area where below market rates should not apply if equitable law were practiced. Many other areas of U.S. law needs review and re-constitution: in the U.S. Constitution, where "private property should not be taken for public use without just compensation," now stands, it should be followed by the phrase, "public property shall not be taken for private use without just compensation."

In support of the above position paper, support U.N. Declaration of 2007, the following descendants of the treaty signers of the 1868 Treaty of Peace between the United States and the 7 Council Fires of the Titunwun Lakota (misnamed Sioux Nation) have signed their names:



Wicahpi Wanjila - Leroy C. Curley
08/04/2010

Talking Sacred

Wakan iye, Wakan Woglakapi, both mean the same in the singular and plural of Lakota. Talking sacred concepts as stated above does not happen everyday either by holy men or other practitioners of the Lakota spiritual path or the Lakota way.

Yet, daily prayers for understanding and thanksgiving by most everyone requires some comprehension of Wakantanka Tunkasila, Infinite Spirit, Grandfather Creator. In most prayers, only Tunkasila, Grandfather is used to address the One Creator.

Other ways to address Wakantanka, Wakan Kin, Taku Wakan, Tobtob and, of course, Tunkasila are used. In peoples prayers may be found many other terms of reverence according to the understanding and maturity of the individual.

One of the two parts of Wakan Kin, The Sacred, are the Wakan Kolaya, Sacred Friends: the Wi=sun, the Skan=motion, the Maka=earth and the Iyan=rock, and each of these units may be known in smaller components, as well as their relations, Wasicun Tunkan in reference to Inyan means Ancient Rock benefitting others. Otakaheya Wicakage is the creation in the beginning of the world, the stars and the heavens, as well The Hunumpa, Hutopa, Tatetob and Yumni.

These last are the two-legged, the four-legged, the winged, the four winds and the circular strong winds often with rains, hail, thunder and lightning and a rainbow under the right conditions.

Otokaheya wicakage, creation was, is, will be owihanke wanica without ending.

Wicahpi Wanjila - Leroy C. Curley
07/25/2010

Call and Response

Image source: Wikipedia

A friend recently issued a challenge which brought out the wild animal in me… What do whales, Japan, and cushions have in common with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama? Read on, dear reader, read on...

First, a bit of background: On a recent tour of Japan, the Dalai Lama was said to have admonished Sea Shepherd for employing violent practices when attempting to disrupt illegal whaling in international waters. Known illegal whalers have seized upon HHDL’s words as validation of their loathing Sea Shepherd and legitimization of their spurious whaling practices, while eager Western Buddhists have rushed in to rationalize the HHDL’s apparently confusing statement.

Sea Shepherd, being the generally good shepherds they are, issued a response acknowledging the Dalai Lama’s eminence yet challenging his facts. An excerpt of their reply reads as follows: “We are in agreement with the Dalai Lama on this and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has never caused an injury to any individual. Reports that we have caused injuries have been fabricated for public relations purposes. We take every precaution to not cause injury, although we do destroy property that is used to take the life of sentient beings and for this we make no apologies. This year the Society has directly saved the lives of 528 whales and over 800 endangered Bluefin tuna. We are in the business of saving lives and not inflicting harm.” Click here to read the entire Sea Shepherd reply.

So… what was the nature of my friend’s challenge – and where do I fit in to this debate? Respond to foolish rationalizations for the Dalai Lama’s statement from my humble perch among the chattering masses, naturally!

Here’s some excerpts from an author known as Jack posted (without discernible facetiousness) as a reply to an article covering HHDL’s statements in Japan in tricycle: The Buddhist Review

“I think we need to understand where the Dalai Lama is coming from when he makes statements like this. To the environmentally-engaged western mind his position can sound misguided, but from his religious standpoint it makes sense. In his tradition, the world is a place of delusion and suffering. The suffering of the whales is just one instance of a world which is entirely the product of ‘contaminated’ actions and the source of further contaminated actions. It is a sorry-go-round from which there is but one exit, full enlightenment, in which the mind is purified of every last trace of delusion.”

“The actions of the anti-whaling activists, while possibly well-intentioned, are actually deluded. Their minds are disturbed by anger and frustration, which readily lead to acts of violence. Even if they have some limited success in hampering the efforts of the whalers, the most significant factor is that they are laying down the causes for future suffering and unfortunate rebirths in which they will be unable to practice Dharma and thus escape the nightmare of samsara. When traditional Buddhists reflect on such horrors as whaling and the forceful actions of those who try to stop it, they see the pervasiveness of dukkha and they respond by going back to their cushions, because only by purifying their own minds is there any hope of release.”

“Behind the Buddhist logic is the belief in karma and rebirth. The whales and whalers alike are our own dear mothers from past lives and it is right that we should feel compassion for them, but we can only truly help them by leading them out of samsara and to do that we must first become enlightened ourselves. The whales’ suffering is the result of their own karma from past lives, causing them to have been born in a ‘lower’ realm. As whales they cannot practice Dharma and the most we can hope for them is that they will be reborn as humans. As for the whalers, they are also acting out their own unfortunate karma. As regrettable as this is, confronting them will only inflame passions and generate more bad karma. Perhaps they will in turn be reborn as whales and suffer the very fate they now mete out to the animals. Such is cyclic existence. What can we do? Get back to our cushions.”

Here’s my reply to Jack (for whatever it’s worth)…

“The whales’ suffering is the result of their own karma from past lives, causing them to have been born in a ‘lower’ realm… I think we need to understand where the Dalai Lama is coming from when he makes statements like this.” ???

I will never understand anybody who makes statements like that. If you strip away all of the grim, post-mortem, apocalyptic and other-worldly speculation poisoning society, you’ll find a fragile ecology perilously near the edge of catastrophic entropy.

There is nothing – nothing – in our construct of existence more important than Life. Time and Death are the tools of Evolution, but Life is Evolution’s purpose. And nothing is more difficult – or more important – to attain and defend than Life. Our world is not a place of delusion and suffering: it is a place of Life!

Animal and plant life are supreme forms of intelligence, having evolved over millions of years. Animals and plants – living in selfless harmony with the natural environment, predators and all – are the purest form of the enlightened thought which many seek, yet fail (by cursing the Earth), to attain.

Our ingenious iPads and micro-processors and social networks pale in comparison to the genius of bio-processors, terrestrial networks, and cosmic AC/DC power supply. You would freak if somebody capriciously smashed your laptop, yet you feel nothing for the creatures of Earth who seemingly belong to no one. Destroying a whale is more offensive to God than destroying a thousand computers.

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So… what can we do about the rape and murder of our planet? Most offensively rape and murder done not in the name of survival – but done for such preposterous reasons as male virility, sport killing, and simple exercise of vain prerogatives (as are ultimately the causes for unlimited wildlife destruction and extinctions).

Should we close our eyes and blank out all thoughts while civilizations are slaughtered, bodies of water polluted, air and land poisoned, and life extinguished?

Should we “get back to our cushions” and practice ambivalent complacency – for only in the highest reaches of the most selfish and delusional fantasies will we be able to leave Earth once and for all?

Or… should we get in a boat and take a stand for Life?

Should we do the hard and necessary work which governments and business and fellow citizens make worse or simply refuse?

Should we bless God with ambivalence and hatred of Their planet – or should we praise the Almighty with action, inspiration and Life?

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I believe we should meditate on the value of contentious religious beliefs wherever they’re encountered. Dalai Lama is no more holy, wise or esteemed than anybody else in my book (You, dear reader, included!)

If a teacher claims the only path to enlightenment is through silent complacency, why would that teacher keep talking? If a group of devotees is struggling to attain enlightenment, how could they know what enlightenment looks like? and who is qualified to teach the path to it?

The empty void of Nirvana is not the The Goal to be attained: Life is The Goal. The nirvana of nothingness and complete equanimity is seemingly ubiquitous in the Universe. Life, on the other hand, is an exceedingly rare and precious gift – surviving only as long as the necessary functions of consumption fail to exceed the tedious development of intelligence.

I respect the holiness of Japanese whalers, along with the Dalai Lama’s right to protest noble activism, and I especially respect the humble quest for divine intelligence. However, I most adamantly respect and agree with the Shepherd’s goal of interfering with unlawful and gratuitous whaling and fishing practices. Keep up the good work, Capt. Watson!

David Davidson
07/24/2010