What's the answer to terror and fighting?

The answer may be easy to say, yet hard to carry out. And, the ultimate solution may involve many different methods all applied as needed. However, here is an article that presents something that we can each do on our own. The collective result could be amazing. Let it begin with me . . .

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What the World Needs Now . . .
by Cliff Durfee      livelovelaugh.com        4/3/02

Of course the answer to what the world needs now is love. Sometimes the most powerful solutions are expressed in the most simplistic terms and at the same time are the most difficult to obtain. Many want to see peace in the Middle East and the world. They want to repair the house of cards and just have the problem go away.

What if the problem will never go away? What if "just" peace is not the answer? What if the true solution requires a paradigm shift of monumental proportions? Are we as a human species up to it? If you could look forward in time and see a world devastated by war, the eco system so damaged by nuclear fallout that only a handful of people and animals are left to start over-- would that be enough incentive to make a giant shift in thinking?

I submit that peace is not the full answer. People have been fighting for peace for centuries, but what many were actually after was control and silence (peace) from those who might oppose. If all we wanted was peace, "rest in peace" can achieve that. A piano, in total peace, is silent. What we really should be pursuing is harmony and the full expression of our free will but in a way that is in harmony with others. And, that what we do constructively reinforces rather than destroys or suppresses the goals, dreams and lives of others. It is to have an orchestra of music instead of explosions and dead silence.

Though I have more to say about the paradigm shift that appears necessary, I am willing to admit that what is being said can be labeled simplistic. After all, in this age of technological advancement a complex answer is expected, or at least a button to push or a pill to take-- a quick fix even if it's not understood. And, if it's something requiring a shift in thinking and behavior of millions of people and leaders it can be discounted by some as unworkable, too simplistic and the search is on for another way. Yet, when we are faced with problems having no apparent solutions, isn't it time to re-evaluate our thinking?

Why has all this come to a head now in our civilization? In one word the answer is technology. Though it has brought tremendous benefit, it has also brought about the capability for the "few" to wreck havoc with the "many." It was bound to happen, in fact years ago I warned about the situation where technological development can race ahead of morality-- producing mortality. However, technology is not the evil, it is merely making a paradigm shift necessary by making it possible for relatively few people to a make monumental impact on the lives of many. We cannot stop technology. We cannot put nuclear weapons back in the box, nor can we stop the next generation of even more deadly weapons of mass destruction. I'm not trying to be all doom and gloom, but if we don't have a large paradigm shift, eventually a small group will be able to destroy the "game" for everyone with something as small as an engineered virus.

I used the word "game" because there is an important analogy that keeps coming to mind from my childhood. Though I grew up in Arizona, we would often spend the summer in Chicago with relatives. Being about 10 years old and seeking something to do I would gather with a group of friends each day and play Monopoly. For those of you who haven't ever played, it's a game in which you learn very quickly to invest your play money, collect rent and gain more real estate, houses and hotels. To win, you will see each of the other players eventually lose everything they have and be forced to drop out of the game. The last one playing wins.

About six of us played that game almost every day. Though I seemed to learn some good principles of life about investing money, it was also teaching that for me to gain, others must lose. I would cheer when someone landed on my property with a hotel and have to give me real estate just to stay in the game. When someone finally lost all their property and money and had to quit the game, I would feel good because I was one step closer to winning. You might think I am making a point about the error of developing a belief at an early age that in order to win someone must lose, but actually there is a greater learning here about our world at large.

Throughout the summer it happened many times. We'd start with six players. Eventually one would go bankrupt and be out of the game. Then another would follow and be forced to quit. What happened then is the great learning. When faced with no opportunity to play any longer and no chance to win, what do you think the players forced out of the game would do? Sit quietly while the others enjoyed the game? No. They would often distract, make noise, wrestle and even knock over the board and destroy the game. The few that had no opportunity to play ended up making sure that if they couldn't play, nobody would.

Those still playing the game wanted "peace." Those not playing wanted to participate yet felt suppressed. In our world there are many that are actively playing the game. There are also many who feel cut out of the game of life with no chance of experiencing anything but a life of pain and suffering. Of course this has always been the case in this world, but now we are quickly approaching a time when it's possible that a few can technologically destroy the game for everyone.

Instead of doom and gloom however, we might look upon this state of affairs as a new doorway-- a new way of being. Technology is now forcing us to take a look at the planetary game we have been playing in which some win with great riches and some face a life of starvation, poverty, disease, suffering and early death. Those succeeding want to ignore those who suffer and put it out of their minds. Those losing want to get attention and want to change the game-- and if not change it, destroy it. The advancement of technology is our wake-up call. If we wake up to the fact that a paradigm shift of monumental proportions is necessary, perhaps we can avoid seeing a game spilled on the floor with pieces scattered everywhere.

What kind of paradigm shift is being suggested? Certainly it is one in which the game of life is played quite differently. Winning is no longer just the accumulation of resources and the control or suppression of those who cry out in pain. It is redefining the game in a way that everyone can play, create, express, live, love and seek happiness. And, that either we all play or we might not have a game. It is about not being satisfied with a mansion, three cars and a swimming pool if you know you're not doing your part to help feed and educate some people on the planet that are dying of starvation or being killed by ruthless rulers. It is about knowing that it's not the dying with the most toys that is important, but living with the most love, sharing and caring. It's about changing the game so each of us can express our free will and live in harmony.

As impossible as it may sound, it is not impossible. However, it does require a change in thinking for us all. It starts with a thought, and at the speed of thought it can spread. It involves the changing of intention-- an intention of seeing that we all, everyone on the planet, can be healthy, educated, loving, caring, joy-filled and free to divinely express who we are.

Many years ago, I got to hear Buck Minster Fuller speak. Though I'm depending on my memory for this, I recall him stating that his research convinced him that by shifting from a world of fear, control and large military budgets, the world has sufficient resources for everyone on the planet to have a greater standard of living than in the U.S. while only having to work one day a week. This was at least 20 years ago. Technology has probably improved on this capability, if we have a paradigm shift.

Yes, it's hard to imagine a world in which each person is wanting to see everyone else participate and win in the game of life, yet it's also hard to imagine that we can actually lose everything for everybody-- game over. On 9/11 many were silenced forever, but at the same time the alarm sounded for millions around the world. It was a major wake-up alarm. Do we dare press the snooze button? Can you start with at least a shift in your thoughts right now? Start in your own life and people you know. Each person is a Divine creation with feelings, aspirations, and a deep-down wish for love. Seek harmony and full expression. Seek freedom to be, do and have for everyone. Winning at the new game is creating a game in which everyone can play. The new paradigm is everyone wins.

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Cliff Durfee has also created a web site you might be interested in:

TimeForReason.com is unique in that it proposes positive solutions to today's problems using reason and regard for everyone's highest good instead of profit, power or greed. Its first contribution is a way to make sure all votes are counted and that you can verify your vote online-- Vote And Verify. Time For Reason is an advocate for the betterment of all life on this planet and reserves the right to expose 'non-sense' regardless of party affiliation.

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