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100 Years & the Path of Nonviolence
September 11, 2006
Mahatma ~ Canon 30d
This day not only marks the five year anniversary of 9|11, it also marks 100 years to the day that Mahatma Gandhi launched the modern nonviolent resistance movement. Completely ironic, isn't it? It makes me wonder where in the world we would be without the shining model Mahatma left for us. Certainly the Civil Rights movement here in the US would have taken on a very different flavor if Dr. Martin Luther King had not emulated Gandhi's nonviolence movement. But still, I can't help but believe we've made such small strides following in their footsteps. Where are the Gandhis and Dr. Kings of our time?
In a small effort to follow in Gandhi's footsteps, I joined the Unity Walk in DC yesterday. Walking side by side with men and women of many faiths, beginning at the Washington Hebrew Congregation and concluding in front of the Gandhi Memorial near Dupont Circle. There were many poignant moments along the way, not the least of which were the conversations I struck up with fellow walkers during each leg of the journey. Unfortunately, it didn't dawn on me to shoot their pictures until the day was over and I realized I had interacted with a surprising cross-section of spiritual seekers.
First, there were the two 20-something Lyndon LaRouche followers whom I met at the synagague, followed by a long chat with a young Quaker woman who gave me the "Being a Quaker in a Nutshell" speech on the way to the National Cathedral. Quakers are way cool. They sit together in silence and anyone can stand up and offer their thoughts to each other. A very nice aetheist man joined me on the way down to the mosque whom I shared a common dislike for President Bush with. His brown standard poodle kept the pace as he shared the recent loss of his wife to a long illness, and an invitation to attend his Unitarian church on 16th Street. And, as if this wasn't enough variety, my final walking companion was an older gentleman who is a black Muslim. Talk about ecumenical!
Arun Gandhi ~ Canon 30d
As I stood listening to Arun Gandhi speak about nonviolence in the shadow of the monument to his grandfather, I found great comfort in the realization that the 5 people I happened to strike up random conversations with were so diverse and inspiring. Our differences in defining a spiritual path took a back seat to a higher call for peace, kindness, and an end to war.
My only sadness? That there weren't more walking with us. Why aren't we all descending en masse on The Mall? I couldn't help but wonder.
We must believe there is hope for us - that we can let go of our religious differences. I believe the only way we accomplish this task is to walk with people of other faiths, inquiring about other's beliefs and showing respect without condemnation ~ without attempting to change minds ~ without a secret motivation to obtain additional marketshare for our chosen path. We must begin educating ourselves about what we have in common with each other as much as about our differences ~ putting the gun of judgement down ~ choosing to wrap ourselves in the cloak of understanding and forgiveness.
The first lesson [my grandfather] taught me was to understand anger, and being able to channel anger into positive action. He said that anger is like electricity. It is just as useful and just as powerful, if we use it intelligently. It can be just as deadly and destructive, if we abuse it. Just as we channel electricity, bring it into our lives and use it for the good of Humanity, we must learn to channel anger in the same way. We can use that energy for the good of Humanity, rather than abuse it.
~ Arun Gandhi
Posted by susan at September 11, 2006 5:37 PM
