Beach Walk 159 – Out beyond right and wrong…

I finally saw the movie Crash. And I loved it.

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About Today’s Show

I saw Crash the day after I talked about the Rox Theory of Connectivity (#157) – how we are all connected whether we remember or like it. In the movie of course, people literally who think they hate each other keep crashing into each other, and in the end, are responsible for each other’s salvation on various levels, from literal to metaphorical. I loved this film precisely for how it points out the abstract rage and fear that drives so much of our prejuduces, our kneejerk responses, our forgetfulness.

Here are the quotes I mentioned, one by Rumi, a Persian poet from the 13th century, and from Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew. Doesn’t it strike you as odd how so many religions teach the same values, yet ignore them in the face of conflict?

A Peace & Conflict Resolution Project at the University of Maryland provides the quote from Rumi:
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

The Illustrated Rumi is one of my favorite books.

Here is a speech from Martin Luther King quoting Jesus:
Ye have heard that it has been said, “Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.” But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.

Start anywhere. It might be someone in your own family. Or a co-worker. Or a sales clerk. Look past the surface and seek something you share in common. Allow the heart to soften, the mind to open, and things will change.

Hawaiian words
Aloha: love
Mea aloha: loved one

Be in Touch!

Comments

  1. Angela Grimes says

    Thank you. I actually listen in each “night” before bed. Your podcasts are so relaxing and wise. I listen to and watch several casts, but yours is without a doubt my favorite. You are the spiritual guide to the world!

  2. Mahalo Angela. I am hearing from others who watch in the evening, so I will keep this in mind for the shows. Thank you for your gift.

  3. Yes. i was thinking this too. You are kind of like a new method of “spiritual teacher”..brought to us through the internet.

  4. pagine piuttosto informative, piacevoli =)

Trackbacks

  1. […] It was raining on the beach after my paddle so we filmed in the trees next to the beach. Steve Gandy called the conch line from Texas and shared his comments about the movie Crash, reminding of the John Lennon song, Imagine and wondering how much longer people in the Middle East can carry on their centuries of hatred. I read yesterday that General Peter Pace said, until they love their children more than they hate their neighbor. I thought this was rather direct, profound commentary. In getting to know several people in the military living here in Hawaii, I have learned that their basic goal is to solve problems. This requires a rather detached ability to observe a situation, and assess it into component parts. At its core, this message to me is right on. No matter how compelling the feeling of hatred is, love can trigger a change in course. […]