What is the Problem with those People anyway?

Paul Goettlich 20sep01

Is this progress?

In order to heal from the events of 11 September 2001, we must stop looking for symptoms and get to the problem. This starts with a long, hard look at oneself. Is there something that I have done to cause this problem? Personally, I recognize that I have been living my life in a way that causes others pain. Not only is this hurtful way of life acceptable in all developed nations, it is the norm. And even if one decides to mend their own way of life, it is seen by others as undesirable or getting in the way of progress. But is what we are doing progress when the majority of the world's population is suffering and dying?

It is because of the rights of this great nation that we have the unique opportunity to mend our ways, and to do so rapidly.

We have all expected too much. We hop from one country to another in jets, as if the vapors trailing out the rear of the massive engines are harmless, and the tons of materials that the jet is made of are formed by a magician. Alone, we drive the 4 blocks for a loaf of bread in a vehicle that could carry 15 people, and do so on an endless road made of highly toxic materials.

I once wrote an article on how to save energy. It included many things that would in no way detract from the quality life. On the contrary, it would help everyone's physical, economic and spiritual health. One of the ways is to dry our clothes on a clothesline or rack, rather than an electric or gas dryer. In reaction to that article, one person's email asked me, "Should we all live like Ted Kaczynski?" That really made me think for a moment about just how spoiled this nation is. Our chief goal is to collect more wealth and useless plastic objects than our neighbor. And because we never find happiness in them, our interest turns quickly to the next useless plastic object.

We are faced with an extremely deep-rooted and ubiquitous dilemma. We don't recognize that the problem is ourselves. Each one of us, no matter how hard it seems that we think we are trying to do the right thing, needs to try harder. We need to guide those of us who do not recognize the need to change. If there is one thing that we should change, it is to remove the blinders from our eyes in order to see that friendship and family are what bring happiness and wealth, not material objects or gold.

Our time, efforts, thoughts, and money would be better spent by focusing on ending the problem, rather than the symptoms. In this case the problem is not terrorism, but the cause of it.. By doing so we would make a far better world for everyone, and the scummy symptoms wouldn't keep rising to the top. So how do we solve the cause of terrorism? We must each begin by looking in the mirror and asking that same question.

Peace.

PS
A message from Michael Lerner fairly close to the way I feel. To see it go to: http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Violence-Out-Of-Touch.htm