Beach Walk 163 – Imagination Takes Muscle

August 4, 2006 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

A call from Steve inspired more talk on what it means to set aside historical grudges.

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About Today’s Show

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.

It is so easy to make sweeping statements, to think we know so well what others should do. But rather difficult ourselves to apply the same beliefs in our petty disagreements with others; to have past grievances show up repeatedly in our relationships when something “goes wrong.” Like me you’ve probably heard (or said) those sayings like “you always act this way when!” or “no matter what I do you always…” Some days it feels that way, but each of us can choose not to let the past continuously pile on and influence the present negatively.

So maybe for this weekend, we can choose to rush toward dropping grudges. To simply choose, one at a time, to not let them have emotional power over us. To put out the flames on our personal battlegrounds and chose not to let this stuff take on monumental proportions. To speak up sooner for what we want rather than building a grudge for later. Being able to truly “drop it” is one of my most treasured skills, and one that requires frequent tune-ups.

Hawaiian words
Kuhi: imagine
Keiki: children

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Beach Walk 159 – Out beyond right and wrong…

July 31, 2006 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

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

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