Table of Contents - back to current issue of Spectrum

• Do You Have a Substitute - from IARF Pakistan
• The Fish that Saved Burma by Rene Wadlow
• Freedom of Expression - from IARF Pakistan
• The Mayan Calendar - a codification of the divine time plan?
• Non-Violence in Buddhism -- the teachings and practice by Richard Kimball
• Responding to the Israeli-Hezbollah Crisis by Leland Stewart
• About Spectrum

Do You Have a Substitute?

Its cold in New York and students dressed up celebrating the post Halloween party. I sit in my cozy room browsing over the web looking for what's happening in Pakistan. I hear voices from different directions, "we have moved away from the path of democracy", "General Pervez Musharraf needs to
step down from his chief of army staff position", "he is a supreme dictator", "crises situation for the first time in sixty years", and "it's a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan". But our neighbor, Indian Foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said "We regret the difficult times that Pakistan is passing through." We trust that conditions of normalcy will soon return, permitting Pakistan's transition to stability and democracy to continue." At least some one is optimistic and has hope things would get better.

Year 2007 is like an action movie; every day brings a new twist and turn. There is suspense, thriller and blood shed but not a single scene of love and laughter. Quaid-e- Azam never thought Pakistan would be in such a bad shape where the key institutions will be at war. We will kill our own brothers and then blame the foreign elements. Do you feel safe as you move on the streets of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, major cities? Terrorist attacks have become a part of our life. Newspapers seem so empty without the news of suicide bombing. We have become so callous and stone heart.

Who are YOU to say what is right and wrong. Have you done all right things? I recall John 8:3-9 in the New Testament. It is the story of the prostitute and the angry mob wanting to stone her in the name of Moses. Jesus tells them that the one without sin may cast the first stone, and since nobody throws a stone, Jesus does not judge her either at this time, but tells her to leave her life of sin. Shame is not what Gen. Musharraf did but what we are doing to worsen the situation.

The media channels only project the negative aspects without looking the other side of the spectra. They have misused their freedom by exaggerating and focusing only one point of view. When Pakistan is in the time of crises then you will find Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto calling the press conferences and condemning the situation. Have they ever recalled their glorious past? They also played a vital role in hurting Pakistan.

Right now we are facing rapid deterioration in the security situation. What kind of home it is where family members are not safe from each other. People are slaughtered like animals. The soldiers at the borders are our sons and brothers. Do you ever care about them? Have you seen their faces when captured by Talibans. Please think for a moment that army whose job is to defend us from foreign attack now becoming victims of internal factors. Family members who went to welcome Benazir Bhutto, raising slogans never knew it was their last day of life. Former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry after his successful rallies was successful in getting back his office but who had to pay the price. It was the public especially lawyers who became the victim. I lost my brother in Karachi firing but it's me who grieves not the justice.

Imran Khan our cricket hero but not a politician is talking to CNN and BBC telling proudly that he has been house arrest without any documents. He seems happy because he is getting international media attention.

I call Pakistanis as Silly Sheep who have no clue where they want to go and what they want. They simply follow the sheep dogs being their GPS. No faith is left shepherd and try to follow every sheep dog. But wolves are only interested in sheep not the dogs and in the end you will be the prey.

The point is that wake up and realize the crises. Why we forget our history and again believe the false promises of our politicians. We talk about restoration of democracy but there are some pre requisites of democracy. Ever since the creation of Pakistan, politicians fought against military dictators for the restoration of democracy. But they weren't different as they capitalize on the weakness of institutions, running roughshod on judiciary and the rule of law and harassing journalists. When Benazir Bhutto was in office (1993-1996) she appointed cronies to judicial posts and transferred judges at will. In February 1997 national elections that brought Nawaz Sharif in power only 35 percent of the electorate bothered to vote. Literally politics in Pakistan is a blood sport. Successive governments incapacitate their opponents through arbitrary arrests, torture and other harassments. Same thing is happening now and we call it undemocratic because it's being done by Gen. Musharraf.

Benazir Bhutto knew what's cooking in Pakistan politics and to protect herself she went on the personal visit. Is there an instance when you got justice from our courts without using fast money 'rishwat'. Do you think the way judicial system was working under the leadership of former chief justice it would have restored democracy. If not, it would have settled the scores with Gen. Musharraf. Where is democracy when tribal war lords and religious fanatics kill hundreds of innocents in cold blood?

The prime responsibility of government is to have order in the country and then comes the law. Democratically elected government as usual will try to accommodate the murderers and their fellows in the religious parties. History shows the proof when Benazir Bhutto rubber stamped the support of the Taliban in the 90s. Nawaz Sharif planned to have himself declared Ameer-ul-Momineen. The title was held by Hazrat Abu Bakar, Hazrat Umer, Hazart Usman and Hazrat Ali and then it would have been by Nawaz Sharif. Wow Are we a nation or a crowd?

Emergency in Pakistan was the need of time as we had no other options. Do we have any other substitute for Gen. Musharraf. Is there any other person who can run the country? If Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were able then they would have completed their terms. Economic and political indicators (case for minorities) are in a better and stable shape as compared to previous regimes. In terms of democratic character we still stand as we were in 1947. We lost our twin brother Bangladesh for power. Haven't 60 years taught us any lesson that we need another Afghanistan in Pakistan.

The following lines were said by Rev. Martin Niemoller in 1945, but see how much they are true even in 2007: "First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me."

Can anyone tell me what are we fighting for? With whom we are fighting? I look at the tears falling, empty stomachs, unemployed youth, fear, brain drain and internal terrorism.

The Fish that Saved Burma 

Rene Wadlow* 

      In an article « Laughter is medicine junta just can't swallow » in the International Herald Tribune (29 October) Choe Sang-Hun repeats the joke of the Burmese vaudeville actor Par Par Lay as to why Burma escaped the worst of the deadly 2004 tsunami:

      A junta leader dies and is reincarnated as a big fish.  As the tsunami was rolling toward Myanmar, the fish told the wave "Stop, I have already done that there."

      His humor has landed Par Par Lay in jail again.  He had already been arrested in 1996 and served five and a half years for his 'government dance' showing an officer stealing money from the poor. His vaudeville troop, the Mustache Brothers of Mandalay, has been barred from performing except for foreigners who can come to their home which has been transformed into a little theatre holding only 10 seats.  The troop can only act in English which only one of the 13 comedians can speak.  Thus the plays are a throwback to the comedy of silent films. 

      The Mustache Brothers troop is part of a popular Burmese tradition of vaudeville featuring puppets, music and slapstick comedy with a dose of political satire.  Par Par Lay and his brother Lu Maw wear fake handlebar mustaches, giving the troop its name. 

      Unfortunately, the Myanmar junta is open neither to reasoned socio-economic and political discussion nor to humor.  However, as a sign of support for Par Par Lay as well as many others held in Myanmar jails for their convictions, we can send to the authorities drawings of a fish and a big wave, with the caption "Been there. Done that". They will not laugh loudly, but they may get the point. 

      The Myanmar Mission to the United Nations in New York is at 10 East 77th Street,

New York, NY 10021, USA. 

      The Myanmar Mission to the UN, Geneva is Avenue Blanc 47, CH-1202 Geneva,

Switzerland 

*Rene Wadlow is the Representative to the UN, Geneva, of the Association of World Citizens and editor of www.transnational-perspectives.org

Mohamed ElBaradei, Director of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called on Iran and Israel to enter into serious negotiations to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East -- a zone in which both Israel and Iran would be members.  He was speaking on April 15, 2007 following talks in Jordan with King Abdullah II.  Jordan, caught between Iraq and growing tensions between Israel and Palestine, has been trying to play a more active role of regional peacemaker.

ElBaradei said "This is the last chance to build security in the Middle East based on trust and cooperation and not the possession of nuclear weapons."  He stressed that a peace agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors "must be reached in parallel with a security agreement in the region based on ridding the area of all weapons of mass destruction."

It is hard to know if there is a concerted purpose behind an increasing number of news reports and analysis of a potential US or Israeli strike against the nuclear installations of Iran.  It is very likely that both US and Israeli strategic planners have envisaged the possibility of such strikes.  This is, after all, the job of strategic planners.  To what extent such a dangerous and basically unrealistic strategy is taken as an option "on the table" is impossible to know.  What is sure is that the degree of tension in the Middle East over Iran, Iraq and Israel-Palestine has been growing.  Thus, responsible leaders are trying to reduce tensions with proposals for new negotiations -- regional talks on the Israel-Palestine conflict, regional talks on the future of Iraq, negotiations on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East or a broader Organization for Security and Cooperation in the Middle East.

The hazards of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East has existed since Israel developed its "bomb in the basement" and was widely discussed in the early 1980s after Israeli forces destroyed the French-built nuclear reactor near Baghdad in June 1981. (1)  Among the community of international relations scholars and strategic theorists, nuclear proliferation has always had its ardent supporters who believe that security is increased by enlarging the number of states with credible deterrence.  This view of nuclear proliferation is often referred to as the "porcupine theory" because it suggests that a nuclear weapon state can walk like a porcupine through the forests of international affairs: no threat to its neighbors, too prickly for predators to swallow.

It was the French Air Force General Pierre Gallois who was the most eloquent champion of the porcupine approach writing "If every nuclear power held weapons truly invulnerable to the blows of the other, the resort to force by one to the detriment of the other would be impossible."  However, the Middle East is filled not with porcupines but with men who may not be immune to irrationality.  Irrationality at national leadership levels are known in world politics, and risk-taking even by rational leaders can get out of control.  Thus, with the current impossibility of having a nuclear-weapon-free world, the concept of regional nuclear-weapon-free zones has spread.

The concept of nuclear-weapon-free zones has been an important concept in disarmament and regional conflict reduction efforts.  A nuclear-weapon-free zone was first suggested by the Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rapacki at the United Nations General Assembly in October 1957 -- just a year after the crushing of the uprising in Hungary.  The crushing of the Hungarian revolt by Soviet troops and the unrest among Polish workers at the same time showed that the East-West equilibrium in Central Europe was unstable with both the Soviet Union and the USA in possession of nuclear weapons, and perhaps a willingness to use them if the political situation became radically unstable.  The Rapacki Plan, as it became known, called for the denuclearization of East and West Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland. 

The Plan went through several variants which included its extension to cover the reduction of armed forces and armaments, and as a preliminary step, a freeze on nuclear weapons in the area.  The Rapacki Plan was opposed by the NATO powers, in part because it recognized the legitimacy of the East German state.  It was not until 1970 and the start of what became the 1975 Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe that serious negotiations on troop levels and weapons in Europe began.  While the Rapacki Plan never led to negotiations on nuclear-weapon policies in Europe, it had the merit of re-starting East-West discussions which were then at a dead point.

The first nuclear-weapon-free zone to be negotiated -- the Treaty of Tlatelolco -- was a direct aftermath of the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962.  It is hard to know how close to a nuclear exchange between the USA and the USSR was the Cuban missile crisis.  It was close enough so that Latin American leaders were moved to action.  While Latin America was not an area in which military confrontation was as stark as in Europe, the Cuban missile crisis was a warning that you did not need to have standing armies facing each other for there to be danger.

Mexico under the leadership of Ambassador Alfonso Garcia-Robles at the UN began immediately to call for a denuclearization of Latin America.  There were a series of conferences, and in February 1967 the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America was signed at Tlatelolco, Mexico.  For a major arms control treaty, the Tlateloco was negotiated in a short time, due partly to the fear inspired by the Cuban missile crisis but especially to the energy and persistence of Garcia-Robles and the expert advice of William Epstein, then the U.N.'s Director of Disarmament Affairs.  The Treaty established a permanent and effective system of control which contains a number of novel and pioneering elements as well as a body to supervise the Treaty.

On 8 September 2006, the five states of Central Asia -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan signed the treaty establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone.  The treaty aims at reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation and nuclear-armed terrorism.  The treaty bans the production, acquisition, deployment of nuclear weapons and their components as well as nuclear explosives.  Importantly, the treaty bans the hosting or transport of nuclear weapons as both Russia and the USA have established military airbases in Central Asia where nuclear weapons could have been placed in times of crisis in Asia.

The treaty was signed at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan which was the main testing site for Soviet nuclear tests.  Between 1949 and 1989, some 500 nuclear tests took place at Semipalatinsk leaving a heritage of radioactivity and health problems.  A non-governmental organization "Nevada-Semipalatinsk" was formed in the 1980s of persons in the USA and the USSR who had lived in the nuclear-weapon test areas. Its aim was to work to abolish nuclear weapons and to push compensation for the persons suffering from the medical consequences of the tests. Thus, Rusten Tursunbaev, the vice President of "Nevada-Semipalatinsk" could say "The signing of the agreement on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia is a remarkable, unbelievable moment and event -- not just for Central Asia, but for the whole world."

It is an unfortunate aspect of world politics that constructive, institution-building action is usually undertaken only because of a crisis.  The growing pressure building in the Middle East could lead to concerted leadership for a Middle East nuclear-weapon-free zone.  The IAEA has the technical knowledge for putting such a zone in place. (2). Now there needs to be leadership from within the Middle East states as well as broader international encouragement.  ElBaradei's appeal may be the sign of a serious start.

Notes:

(1)  See Shai Feldman.Israeli Nuclear Deterrence: A Strategy for the 1980s (New York: Columbia University Press, 1982)

Louis Rene Beres(ed.). Security or Armageddon (Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1985)

Roger Pajak. Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East (Washington, DC: The National Defense University, 1982)

(2)  See Michael Hamel-Green.Regional Initiatives on Nuclear-and WMD-Free Zones (Geneva: United Nations Institute for Disarmament  Research, 2005)

Rene Wadlow is the editor of www.transnational-perspectives.org and an NGO representative to the United Nations, Geneva.

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of expression is inherently valuable as part of the self-actualisation of the speakers and listeners. There have always been limitations to express freely and the threshold varies from country to country.

But was the media really free in Pakistan prior to 3rd of November 2007?
Is the media right to claim that it was being responsible and professional. With the power to beam into millions of homes around the globe comes the grave responsibility of being just and fair.

By inviting ignorant and bewildered politicians in a talk show and to let them say what ever they feel like is not really freedom. When ever breaking news occurs instead of inviting specialised analysts, certain channels would interview their own senior journalists, who would present personal opinions as news items. e.g.

(Translated in English from Urdu)

S M: "Why do you think the emergency has been imposed?" (Interview over the phone)

H M: "This is all a conspiracy hatched by the USA in the war on terror, where the deposed chief justice was releasing so called terrorists and this was unacceptable to the west therefore it was done under their patronage."

This might as well be a conversation of two lay people sitting by the roadside. I have no qualms, if they want to make such allegation, but it should be a part of a well researched and investigated documentary and not a frantic news statement.

No where in the west are military operations covered live as they were in Pakistan. The USA learnt its lessons from the Vietnam War and since then journalists are embedded with the troops during wars and are shown only specific things.

Ironically the media portrays that modernization means westernization and this has lead to the creation of completely distant and confused generation. The truth is not far from the opposite. We see young TV hosts trying to speak English in an imitated foreign accent, while our soaps are cheap imitations of an already plagiarized media industry across the border.

How many journalists can report on the crimes by feudal lords in the rural areas of Pakistan and then continue to walk the planet? I have yet to see a single documentary of how criminally minded our political parties and politicians really are (all of them).

The media was never really free in Pakistan and it will never be until we free ourselves from the feudal and colonial mindset.

But, nevertheless, banning and subjugating fundamental rights is not the answer to anything.

Noam Chomsky says in one of his documentaries "Goebbels was in favor of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you're in favor of free speech, then you're in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise. Otherwise, you're not in favor of free speech."

Friday, September 8, 2006 

Sponsored by Communications Coordination Committee for the UN, Citizens for a UN People's Assembly, Association of World Citizens, Pathways to Peace, Young General Assembly, and Unity Foundation.
... 
Our discussion of a People's Parliament or Assembly within the UN system, under UN Charter Articles 22 or 7.2, as a companion to the General Assembly, would facilitate the creation of effective partnerships to work for human security and sustainable development and add an effective moral voice to deliberations at the United Nations on the critical global issues.

One of our most critical global issues is the stockpiling of over 27,000 nuclear weapons, with over 4,000 nuclear warheads on hair trigger alert.  A study by the Rand Corporation concluded these weapons would destroy both Russia and USA in an hour.  Why do we allow this to happen? 

The people need to put pressure on the countries to eliminate nuclear weapons.  A People's Parliament or Assembly could help educate and bring pressure on the governments.
...
Susan Zipp began with thanks and appreciation to all attending today's program, and to icastnews.com for providing the live broadcast feed via the internet. She then reflected on an indigenous people's saying that "It is better to raise capable people than to repair broken adults."

Our work as activists involves an obligation to recognize our power and responsibility.  The strategy of fear has allowed poor global decisions to be made by not holding our government leaders accountable.  To strengthen the UN and realize the MDGs we need to sharply monitor those in power and hold our decision-makers responsible. 
...
Progress toward the People's Assembly movement has recently reached California, where the state lawmakers formed a bi-partisan committee toward promoting and establishing a State Citizens' Assembly, based on a working program in British Columbia. 
...
General agreement hoped that positive uses of the internet will overwhelm and overshadow the negative uses. 
...
Elizabeth Carll asked Mr. Damodaran to make recommendations toward establishing a Global People's Assembly.  Ramu Damodaran replied that NGOs and civil society must recognize that the UN is a process for ideas, with many of the ideas the UN Secretary-General puts forth coming from the vision of NGO's.  Encouraging us to not be afraid of contributing new ideas, he recommended that we proactively work toward putting forth focused, specific plans and projects that the UN can work upon.
...
The meeting was adjourned and participants enjoyed a delicious assortment of complimentary sandwiches and beverages.

Dr Calleman, Mayan Calendar expert, will be coming to Los Angeles in the latter part of September.  Contact Leland Stewart for more information: udcworld1@yahoo.com.

For a long time the Mayan calendar has appeared enigmatic to scholars and lay people alike. A calendar with a core of 260 days ruled by special deities and numbers has seemed like an oddity compared to the many astronomically based calendars prevalent in the other cultures of the planet.

In the recent two decades interest in the calendar system of the ancient Maya has however increased dramatically all over the world. Many have come to conclude that this calendar system, which originally was discovered by the Native American peoples of present day Mexico and Guatemala, may be the most significant information that humanity possesses regarding its fate and purpose. Ultimately, this recognition seems to be a reflection of a changing world view. People at large are now moving away from the mechanical world view and towards one where the universe is ruled by "energies" in a broad sense.  Consciousness is beginning to be seen as primary to matter and ultimately it is from this shift in world view that the increased interest in the Mayan calendar, punctuated by the upcoming Mel Gibson movie Apocalypto, derives.

Carl Johan Calleman is a world leading expert on the Mayan calendar with a background as a biologist and cancer researcher (Ph.D in Physical Biology from the University of Stockholm). In 1993 he left his academic carreer as a Senior Researcher at the Dept of Environmental Health at the University of Washigton, serving among other things as an expert on cancer for the World Health Oganization, to devote himself full time to elucidating the broader meaning of the Mayan calendar. From his scientific perspective he has used the Mayan calendar as a template that allows us to understand evolution in the widest possible sense.

Based on empirical studies he has demonstrated that biological or historical evolution is not a sequence of random events, but the result of a divine plan for the evolution of consciousness, a time plan that is described by the Mayan calendar.  This amounts to a fundamental shift in world view where there is no longer a conflict between evolution and creation and where they are instead both true and life in general is part of a context given its meaning by the divine.  Yet, Calleman consistently bases his theories on facts; for this there is a consensus of agreement within the academic community.

Within the framework of evolution provided by the Mayan calendar no aspect of our existence seems to be excluded and so meaningful insights may be gained about everything from the evolution of galaxies to art history. All may be seen as aspects of the evolution of consciousness and human history in particular may be seen as projections of a mind that evolves according to a certain pattern that becomes understandable to the student of the Mayan calendar. What is generally called paradigm shifts in human science, knowledge and understanding of the world are simply to be understood as reflections of energy shifts in the Mayan calendar.  The same may be said about the shifting religions and spiritual traditions of mankind that may all be understood as parts of processes generated by the universal principle of creation, termed by the Maya the World Tree. 

At the current level of evolution the transformation of consciousness is according to the Mayan calendar system speeding up and so also everything around us seem to be happening at a higher pace than ever before. This speed-up occurs outside of the control of human individuals and so it becomes increasingly important for us humans to understand it and find the tools to align our individual paths with the design of the cosmic plan.  The student of the Mayan calendar has the benefit of understanding the speed-up of time and where it is taking the world.  Most importantly, however, Calleman´s work with the Mayan calendar provides an extensive body of scientific evidence from all disciplines showing that life is inherently meaningful and has a higher purpose, a Theory of Everything, where science and spirituality are no longer separate.

Dr Calleman is the author of The Mayan Calendar (Garev 2001) and The Mayan Calendar and the Transformation of Consciousness (Bear and Co, 2004) and has the web page www.calleman.com. He was the initiator of the Oneness Celebration June 6-8, 2004 and the Midlight Meditation, June 1-2, 2005.  He collaborates among other with Don Alejandro Oxlaj (head of the council of elders of the Maya) and Sri Bhagavan in the Breakthrough Celebration www.breakthroughcelebration.com with the purpose of providing meaningful ways for people today who wants to participate in the divine process of creation described by the Mayan calendar.

Non-Violence in Buddhism -- the teachings and practice

The reality is that much of life today is filled with disappointment, aversion and conflicts that lead to aggression.  Basically, violence has its roots in people's fear and competition for limited resources in order to survive and reproduce.  Humans have always fought to protect ourselves from animals and other people.  In today's world this has extended itself to greed (desire), fear, having incorrect views (ignorance), attachments, big egos and lack of trust.

Generally speaking, Buddhists (especially those in the sangha -- monks/nuns) have not acted violently either for propagating the teachings or defending themselves.  There are some exceptions, such as the Shaolin Monks in China, who used Gongfu, and other means, to aggressively defend themselves from an antagonist Imperial Government and the Samurai Warriors in Japan  (Bushido Code).  Some Kings and Emperors, who said that they were Buddhists, did lead their countries to war in India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and so forth, but it was not for extending or defending Buddhism.  There were others that reacted to aggression through war they did not initiate.  Overall, Buddhism has been one of the least violent spiritual traditions throughout history.  It focuses on the equality of all sentient beings.

Buddhism has many ethical and moral rules on how to behave in order to overcome these attachments to power and greed in order to reach a higher state of consciousness.  It teaches, just like most spiritual traditions, that we should "act with others only in ways that we would like others to act with us".  For Buddhists, ordinary life is filled with disappointments, aversions, conflicts and attachments.  In the basic tenants, embodied in the Four Noble Truths, there is a peaceful way to understand our true nature and come to terms with any sufferings and struggles in order to transcend worldly bondage.  The five basic precepts in Buddhism for healthy living are: No Killing of any sentient beings; No Stealing of anything not freely given; No lying for any reason; No use of addictive substances and Not exploiting others for sexual pleasure. 

The Dalai Lama has said "Trying to convert others only causes conflicts."  Often violence is a crying out for healing help!
In order to overcome our basic proclivities that lead to such a limited and destructive mundane life, we need to eradicate the roots of suffering by: Having a Correct Understanding of our existence; Using Honest Speech and have Compassionate Thoughts; Acting with Beneficial Intentions in a Constructive way; Having a Wholesome Livelihood or Work; Being Diligent in our Effort to Progress in this life; Being of Positive Mindfulness and Applying Diligent Concentration.  If these aspects of the Noble Eight-Fold Path are understood and put into practice, then our minds will be pure and not involved in any violence. 

By being generous and compassionate, showing restraint, having patience, being diligent, using meditative practices and developing wisdom, we can be positive examples to others for liberation from the attachments in this world.  Of course, learning is one thing.  Putting the teachings into practice, especially when threatened, is the difficult part.  In reality, no so-called "enemy" can harm one as much as ones thoughts and feelings of craving, hate and jealously.  In Buddhism, hatred does not cease by hatred; by love alone does it cease.  Standing in the dignity of our divine self opens us up to full awakening.

Are we living in a chaotic world reeling out of control?  Some people say that we are, given the lack of resources and rapid increase in population.  Is there any way out of this seemingly inevitable trap?  What can we do?  First, we should know the real issues -- in ourselves and with others.  Second, we can make a commitment to transform.  Third, we must have the "tools" and carry out our vow.  All spiritual traditions can be a part of this positive transformation process if only they agree to come to terms with their own ego-power issues (especially related to controlling others) and realize truly the power of spirituality for working in harmony with all sentient beings. We all need to Confront, Understand, Forgive and Resolve.  It is only through love and compassion that we will not become attached to the dogmatic narrowness that will lead to our demise -- and maybe the destruction of all other sentient beings on this earth.

Yet so it shall be; this fruitless strife, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the "Most Great Peace" shall come.
           -- Baha'i Faith, Science and Spirituality, p. 177

These past few days have seen a great increase in Middle East violence and war.  Not only is there an attack on the Hezbollah organization, but the attack has killed numerous children and other innocent bystanders in Lebanon, Israel's neighbor.  It has likewise devastated the country by destroying property such as bridges, roads, and buildings.  Even United Nations peacekeepers have not been able to escape the attacks; four U. N. peacekeepers were killed just a few days ago. 

Hezbollah, which precipitated the attacks by capturing two Israeli officers and refusing to return them, responded by sending rockets into Israel and causing great damage there as well.

Fortunately, many efforts are being made to resolve the dilemma, including a joint effort of President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair of England, to ask for a United Nations resolution to bring the violence to an end.  It does seem that some real progress is being made in that direction.

The Unity-and-Diversity World Council is beginning a campaign to form a Global Assembly of individuals, groups, and networks who seek to represent the peoples of the world and to work for nonviolent solutions to the challenges we face.  This effort will be done through the internet and will not require attending meetings in order to be involved.  Roger Eaton, who previously developed an email plan for encouraging Jewish-Muslim dialog, will lead this ongoing effort.  At the present time, groups are being approached to take part in the dialog and to lend assistance to the outreach plan.

The very foundations of democracy and the well-being of future generations are being tested at this time, as more and more of the nations and peoples of the world are being drawn into the Middle Eastern conflict and its implications.  It is time to speak up and to be counted for what you believe and the kind of world you would like to live in.

If you would like to participate in this dialog, or would like more information about how it works, kindly send a return email.  If you know of others who are interested, send along their names and emails as well.  If others do not have email, let us have their names, addresses and phone numbers so we can be in touch.

In the Spirit of Unity-and-Diversity!!!

-- Leland Stewart
July 31, 2006

Spectrum Magazine is in the process of being developed on our website. It existed for a number of years as a quarterly publication to present articles, stories, poetry, art work, and other materials related to the individuals and organizations involved in the Council. Please watch for these materials to appear shortly one at a time, until we will discover that the Magazine has been put together in a complete form. We will update the materials as they become available, rather than having to wait for a quarterly change of contents.

We will use the Unity-and-Diversity Wheel as the basis for selecting materials, so that we will be able to cover all areas in the course of time. We invite you to submit materials that you feel would be appropriate based on the stated purpose of the Council and the concerns that you feel need to be voiced.

Thank you kindly for your interest and cooperation. 

Unity-and-Diversity Contact Information

Leland P. Stewart, B.S.E., B.T., 
       Founder/Central Coordinator
P.O. Box 661401
Los Angeles, CA USA 90066-9201
Phone: 310-391-5735
FAX: 310-827-9187 (contact UDC first)
Email: udcworld1@yahoo.com
Website: www.udcworld.org