Hari Aum.
I'm trying my best to limit the amount of news I watch these days but it is difficult to do so-- partly because so many events are occurring in quick succession, and the whole world is being affected in one way or another.
There are a lot of angry people, specifically politicians and military people, on television these days. We see video clips of them, their faces contorted with rage, jabbing their fingers in the air and threatening each other.
They tell us that we are all in terrible danger. That this war is good thing. It is needed, they say-- apparently, to protect us all from a vague and unclear future threat.
They say all this anger and violence is justified, it is a reasonable response to the violence that was perpetrated by the other side. They say they want to annihilate and obliterate each other. Wipe each other off the map-- that is the message from these politicians and their militaries.
They like to emphasise that the people in other countries have nothing in common with us. They are different. They follow a different way of life. Their religion is different. Their language is different. They look different. They think different. They are so different, they might as well be from another planet (we are all practically aliens to each other, they say!).
Different means danger-- the other side is very, very dangerous, they tell us. Look at what they did on xyz occasion. They cannot be trusted. The death of innocent civilians on both sides is 'collateral damage', and this is an acceptable price to pay for protecting us all.
Diplomacy has no place here, they declare. No, the only means of communication is guns and bombs. They praise their planes and ships and describe their capacity to destroy and kill-- what technology, what innovation-- how magnificent!
They torpedo ships in international waters. Destroy schools and hospitals. And assure us it is all for a good cause. It is to protect us from great evil, great danger. This war is not evil at all. No, it is most excellent-- a noble, virtuous act for the good of all.
It was only way, they tell us. Talking is of no use. It takes too much time, and there is no trust anyway. After all, how can there be any trust or goodwill between people who look, think and speak so differently?
"We are right, and they are wrong", declare these politicians. “We are good, and they are bad. We are progressive and they are backward. We are liberal and they are repressive. We are virtuous and they are evil"-- this is the narrative that politicians both sides of the conflict in the Middle East are spreading.
But, when I think of Tehran and Tel Aviv, I do not think of these angry politicians and their militaries. These places are relatively far from the places where I have lived during my life so far. But I have met people from these places at work and through my spiritual life, and I have many good memories of them.
For example, I had a good friend from medical school who returned to Tehran after he finished his studies to settle there and start a family. He was one of the kindest and most cheerful people that I had ever met.
When I had one of my horrible seizure-like blackouts (atypical vasovagal, mentioned in a previous post) in hospital while observing a patient who was in severe pain, he happened to be present as we were working together at the time (we were medical students together at a university in Europe). He went out of his way to make sure that I was ok afterwards (brought me tea and insisted on walking me to the station to ensure there were no further episodes). He was part of a study group that some friends and I belonged to but hardly ever showed up to the revision lectures.
Despite having an apparently very casual attitude towards his studies, he came first in the surgical examination in our year. I was particularly indignant by this as he had cheekily told me not to set 'too high a standard' during our practical surgical examination as he was due to see the examiners just after me (due to having a slightly similar surname)-- however, he was the one who had clearly set a very high standard!
I once cautiously asked him how life was for people in Tehran (this was just under twenty years ago). He told me that people lived a 'normal life' and could generally do as they pleased but 'behind closed doors'.
I wonder if he is alive and well today. I do worry about him and his family when I hear about the bombing of Tehran.
Similarly, during the pandemic, I did two online mantra japa courses conducted by a lady yoga teacher who was a volunteer/ staff member (and brahmacharini) with the Sivananda yoga organisation in the Bahamas. During these courses, which lasted 2-3 months at a time, we had some very interesting and enjoyable conversations about spiritual life. She provided much-needed inspiration at a time that was difficult and we developed a friendly bond.
This lady is originally from Tel Aviv and in recent years, told me that she has moved back there. This was after the conflict flared-up a few years ago-- she said the senior staff had returned from the Bahamas to teach mindfulness/ meditation and yoga to people at the Sivananda yoga centre there in the hope of promoting mental peace and wellbeing. She is an excellent teacher and one of the nicest people I have met. And a truly inspirational spiritual practitioner. I wonder how she is today and hope she is safe. I worry about her and the other Sivananda yogis when I hear about the bombing of Tel Aviv.
Many years ago, in the summer of 2006, during my Sivananda Yoga teachers training course in Spain, there was a flare-up of the conflict between Iran and Israel. There were a number of students from all over the world present at the course, including two from Iran and one from Israel. I noticed the elderly Iranian lady often comforting the younger Israeli woman who was very worried and often tearful due to her husband being in the army. Over the few weeks of the course, they formed a close bond of friendship despite their countries being at war.
People are fundamentally people everywhere-- no matter how different our cultures and ways of life may seem. We have the capacity to empathise with each other based upon this understanding.
Two wrongs can never make a right. Every act of violence is awful, but it cannot justify further violence--because that way, the cycle of violence never ends.
We are approaching the end of Navaratri-- today is the seventh day associated with Mother Kalaratri. I am due to travel to India soon on holiday so life is a bit hectic with packing and so on-- however, I was grateful to be able to find the opportunity to do a puja this afternoon of all the nine forms of Mother Durga associated with this festival. I felt much better after this worship.
I hope and pray that Mother Durga protects all good people on both sides of this conflict. I hope my friends in Tehran and Tel Aviv remain safe and well along with their families and friends.
Let us pray to the Divine Mother to reduce the negativity in the world today. She is the Mother of every one of us and every creature in existence. May She help us resolve our conflicts and live in peace.
Let us remember that our ancient scripture, the Mahabharata, describes a terrible war in which many people died, including many good people. The Krishna avatar was present at the time. He tried His best to prevent the war, even going as a messenger of peace to the Kauravas (the egoistic and negative side). They did not listen and the war then unfolded with horrific consequences on both sides (eventually, dharma/ righteousness was established but not before much suffering).
God grants us free will to act. But we must then be prepared to face the consequences of our own actions. This is the way of the law of karma. Karma can be mitigated by prayers and mantras.
Let us therefore, pray and recite mantras in accordance with the firm instruction of our Gurus. This is a spiritual duty according to all spiritual traditions across the world.
Om Shri Durgayai Namah.
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
