The catastrophic and horrendous attacks in Mumbai are being labeled as India’s 9/11. Several thousand innocent civilians have already died in India as the result of bombings over the past few years. But this particular attack, striking at the most prestigious sites in the country’s most prestigious city, has had a unique psychological effect. As with 9/11, a symbolic wound has been opened. The image of India as progressive and modern has been shattered.
The Mumbai tragedy threatens to become 9/11 in a darker way, however. It is the ignition point for fear and hatred of "the other." For Americans, "the other" arrived as a band of jihadist fanatics, a class of enemy we had barely paid attention to before we were attacked. In the case of Mumbai, "the other" is ready-made, since India has long hated and fought against Pakistan. Bitter recriminations and saber rattling are standard fare between the two countries. It will be gospel among the Indian population that Pakistan is totally responsible for the raids.
Making peace in such an inflamed situation is impossible. Curses fall on anyone who suggests that a sane approach needs to be taken, one that isn’t rife with fear and suspicion. Here we have something small to be grateful for. The Bush administration didn’t use the Mumbai attacks as an excuse to rev up fear and loathing in this country. This shows rare restraint. Such calmness could lead to productive action.
We don’t need new information about the problem of Islamic terrorism. The situation has been analyzed over and over since 9/11. There’s nothing more to understand. The tinderbox is there, ready to explode at any moment.
Now it’s time to stop reacting against "the other" as crazed fanatics. Reactions of fear and hatred are understandable when you’ve been attacked, but we need to heal our own post-traumatic stress disorder. For it is a disorder, not a normal way of life. Knowing the multiple factors that breed terrorism, the U.S. has been called upon to lead the world in curing them. The project may take 50 years, which is wearisome. But it took longer than that to give freed slaves in this country a chance for a decent life, and above all a chance for acceptance as equals.
In an era of globalization, labeling anyone "the other" is a luxury we can no longer afford. We should be focusing our efforts on helping the dispossessed of the world to rise. At the same time, we must pressure the wealthy elites in Arab society to stop denying their role in the gestation of terrorism. There’s a huge amount to do, but the key thing is for the U.S. to take a healing attitude rather than an attitude of militaristic belligerence. Terrorism can be policed. That was proven over the past seven years since 9/11. But policing a threat isn’t the same as defusing it. Change can only come about in Arab states if they want to change. At present most of these countries act paralyzed. They suffer from massive potential threats within their own borders. They will remain paralyzed without American leadership. The Saudis fear the very factions of jihadists that they bribe to keep the peace. That’s the reality. Therefore it’s also the reality that we must become peacemakers, even if the job is currently a cursed one.
About Deepak Chopra
Time Magazine heralded Deepak Chopra as one of the 100 heroes and icons of the century, and credited him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine." Entertainment Weekly described Deepak Chopra as "Hollywood's man of the moment, one of publishing's best-selling and most prolific self-help authors." He is the author of more than 50 books and more than 100 audio, video and CD-Rom titles. He has been published on every continent and in dozens of languages. Fifteen of his books have landed on the New York Times Best-seller list. Toastmaster International recognized him as one of the top five outstanding speakers in the world. Through his over two decades of work since leaving his medical practice, Deepak continues to revolutionize common wisdom about the crucial connection between body, mind, spirit, and healing. His mission of "bridging the technological miracles of the west with the wisdom of the east" remains his thrust and provides the basis for his recognition as one of India's historically greatest ambassadors to the west. Chopra has been a keynote speaker at several academic institutions including Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Business School and Wharton.His latest book is
"Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul."
"….. but we need to heal our own post-traumatic stress disorder. For it is a disorder, not a normal way of life."
so true..
Peace. LOVE. Namaste
I can relate to what you are experiencing, Deepak.
However, let us think of ourselves as blessed.
We are blessed because we have the awareness.
Let us be truly grateful – due to our efforts that the Bush administration did not, as you say, use the attacks to rev up fear and loathing.
We are working together to heal our own post-traumautic stress disorder.
May the healing continue – thank you for your post.
Bless you for your work and efforts,
Elaine
Deepak,
Please don't compare the lot of Moslems in the world to that of history of slavery in America. The only thing that they may have in common is that American slavery was also propagated by Moslems in the African slave trade. Other than that we, the civilized world, are not responsible for the lot of the Moslem world as we were in victimizing the African slaves in America. The Moslems are responsible for their own reformation. We, the people of the civilized world, cannot be burdened with their rehabilitation. That is their task and the task of their several dozen state governments. The most we can do is to give them the incentive. If their refusal to reform only meant self detriment then that would be a tragedy for them. Unfortunately, in reality, it means continuous tragedy for their victims, including us, non-Muslim peoples.
L'Shalom,
Rafi Schutzer
I don't understand Rafi's comment about Muslims being the bad guy in bringing slaves to America, I'm going to have to look into my history. How could all people of one religion be blamed for bringing slavery to America? oy vay I think it is going to take longer then 50 years.
BTW I am a Jewish American where my Grandparents could not use public bathrooms that had signs that said No Coloreds, No Dogs, and No Jews. I never heard them blame the Christians for that, only the people that were ignorant and prejudice.
I will have to look more into things because I could be wrong.
Godbless us that we can communicate in a flash online…
It's time to get that 100,000,000 Deepak.
I'm on board and keeping my eye on a vision of where it will take us, once this is completed…then the next one, and the next one…
BLove,
Taimak
I wonder who the fanatics are Deepak in all of this? The west do not dare to admit any fanaticism do they…I think we should consult with ourselves and define where and when we have been the other…and where that has caused others suffering!
Then maybe we can start for once take responsibility our actions. And lin turn look at the psychological, ecological and spiritual impact all this conflict is having on all of life.
I agree we are suffering from our very own self made post-traumatic stress that is causing great disorder and dis-harmony. We are causing a breeding ground for terrorism. Its long way back from these many 9/11's as most countries have had them.
I would argue that the Bush/Blair adiministration did contribute to fear and unrest in the world which in turn caused mulitcultral misuderstanding…I feel they left an open door to racisism through what they called the war on terror.This in my experience has bread hatred and further intolerence of cultural difference. Although they would never take responsibility for any of this.
All of this adds to the difficulty we face when we advocate for the peaceful and sane solutions. I work in community development and experience adversity everyday…however I do not allow this to take my right away to be peaceful and advocate for a peaceful solution to every adverse situation.
Peace to all sentient beings
Namste
Read The Great Cat Massacre and Other Episodes in French Cultural History, by Robert Darnton.
Apprentice printers working on rue Saint-S
The day of USA elections, in parallel with Barack Obama's victory a plane crashed. Cars were crawling through Mexico City's rush-hour traffic on Tuesday night when a Learjet came hurtling out of the skies, hit a road in the center of the city and burst into flames. As police and ambulances rushed to the scene to carry dozens of injured motorists to the hospital, it was reported that the plane had been carrying Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mouri
Deepak – I agree with you. Believing that violence and terrorism arise from insufficiency and insecurity, I feel we must deal with the problem from a standpoint of healing (peacemaking). Our world is unified as never before because of media and dialogue, especially between world religions. Together, we must embrace Gotham's call for a "holisitic" response to terrorism or we will no longer have the chance to respond. Our world has become that small a community. May the Divine embrace and bless you for "your courage" to advocate for peace. I know it brings you derision from many, I know you can weather the storm. I support you and your mission. Love, Greg
Dear Deepak,
Thank you for your continued effort or perhaps for you there is no effort involved. The following quote about the
I agree with Rafi Schultzer in that Muslims are responsible for their own reformation. They were never slaves like African Americans and one cannot blame the US or India or any other secular nation if some Muslim nations are poor. Arab countries who have oil are in fact rich though not modernized and that is because of their religion. Their education is confined to Madarasaas. Muslims once ruled India and some in Pakistan think that they must rule India again.
Indian Muslims have special privileges. They do not practise family planning because it is against their religion but every other Indian community does. The government pays for Muslims' religious pilgrimages but not Hindus'. There is no discrimination, none whatsoever in jobs at any level, including the President of India. At the time of indepenence from the British, both India and Pakistan were terribly poor. Though still poor, India has progressed whereas Pakistan is close to a failed state. Is India responsible for Pakistan's economic failure? How is US, who gave millions and millions of dollars to Pakistan responsible for its failure?
There you go again saying "India has long hated Pakistan" Do you mean Pakistan loved India all along? your comment is biased not impartial. First of all not true. Even if you think you are being impartial by making slimy comments like that you probably also know that peace making depends not only on being impartial but it also depends on being truthful.
Peace makers are not cursed but they are truthful.
Shalom Rick,
The comment I made about Moslems and slavery was really tangential. I was referring to Deepak's grouping together of the our overcoming the scourge of slavery in America with the current problems in the predominantly Moslem lands. I couldn't see an adequate comparison between them and offerred my only possible connection between the two. You'll notice that I wrote "The only thing that they may have in common is… " stressing the word "may." If you look it up you'll see that there is a case to be made for that historically. But again it is tangential to the main of what I wrote.
Besides his unfortunate grouping of the American legacy of slavery with the current state of Moslem life, I mainly disagreed with Deepak that it is up to the West to somehow rehabilitate the Moslem world. At best we can offer incentives and a positive example of civilized behavior.
Deepak ,
"India has NEVER hated Pakistan".
It is actually surprising ,seeing India getting this remark and that too after patiently handling years and years of sufferings , harassment thru various hands. After various assaults , retaining patience in demeanor, utmost attempts to maintain peace and growth track going could not make India better understood .It has actually pained me.
I salute to my country-men for being so courageous and sensible that after years and years of disturbances given by neighbors we did not divert away from the track of growth and progress. After British left ,we did not go to drop bombs in UK ,the way Taliban did to USA. British left us pauper. We did not go ballistic on them the way middle east countries treat the developed nations.
USA did not rule Taliban ever. We were 'ruled' by British for 200 years.
Is the following line easy to forget "Indians and dogs are not allowed here." which used to show itself in British-India and Britain even few decades back. They were extremely condescending.
But didn
Dear Shweta,
You are absolutly right.
I too beg to differ on Deepak equating India and Pakistan on the same footing. Country like Pakistan gets encoureged and take advantage of Deepak's like posts. They are just looking for it.
V C
They curse, who will to not look and see.
3 more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.
I don't think they were cursed in the town and villages …
… I won't believe they have been cursed by their death in battle.
There were those who cursed Socrates, but many with whom he could share a good cup of cheap red.
And likewise the carpenter's son known by so many names who I call Joshua.
And so many more after whose names are barely known if at all.
And I'm sure a lot of upstanding members of the Raj had curses aplenty for Gandhi-ji!
But still, the subject line here tells a larger lie than truth.
with respect
I am surprised how you could equate India and Pakistan in each others' attitude reactions and deeds !
After all that India has and still going through in all her history, ever bleeding and yet ever pataint and peaceful, your remark seems lacking understanding of the ground realities.
Lets not forget, India is the second largest Muslim populated country in the world and are far better placed.
V C
Today is IDD !
My Best Wishes to all Muslims of the world !
I am a Hindu from India. I strongly believe the Holy Koran, Prophet Mohmmad could never ever have even the slightest hint of (leave aside preaching) Jihad, in the sense it has come to mean today. Never.
All religion preaches peace and harmony.
V C
GOD, JUSTICE AND PEACE
=======================
Deepak, before I comment on the theme of your blog, without any intention of claiming that I have The Truth, some time ago–I think it was in the early 1970's–I came to the following conclusion: In my thinking of the nature of Divine Being, and writing about the concept, I was not comfortable using the usual pronoun "Him" and proper noun "God".
Therefore, in my writing, for some time now I have used the acronym, GOD. I can also think of it as standing for all that is Good, Orderly and Desirable, including justice and peace. Is this not the basic desire of all humanity?
Interestingly, for a similar reason–that is, avoiding thinking of Divine Being as a three-dimensional person separate from us–Orthodox Jews use the symbol G-d. The dash represents the mystery of it all. This mystery is within everything, including every one of us, and we are in it. It, in the form of nature, holds even moral and ethical atheists in awe.
Sometimes, instead of O, I use the mathematical symbol,
the important point seems to be that we didnt jump in there with the typical , war monger patriotism, fires were not- at least on the public level fanned by the us. Any significant alteration of our typical hysterical response it a great stride. I am not devaluing the horror of a terrorist attack, but in response to a terrorist attack- that a global view needs to replace our Motive for and identification with illusionist differences. Otherness- as we all know has been the human problem, thru the ages. A therapist once told me that otherness is akin to narcissitic disorder. The objectification of living things, a mechanism for creating the illusions of otherness, control, and domination. Compentency, not greatness, is a healthy and worthy personal pursuit for our new global identity.