In the spirit of President-elect Obama’s call for unity, the present divide between opponents and supporters of the war in Iraq needs to be healed. On one side, as represented by President Bush in his exit interviews, the war is seen, post-surge, as a key success in the war on terror. On the other side, as voiced by peace advocates, the war has been a dismal, shameful failure that did nothing to lessen the threat of terror around the world.
Let’s leave aside the bitter acrimony that separates these two views. An intelligence report recently cited by Joe Biden has concluded that Arab outrage over Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo probably created more terrorists than the number vanquished in Iraq. But that fact won’t deter the right wing, which insists that Bush was totally justified to "fight them over there so we don’t have to fight them here."
In the notion that our actions have inflamed the Arab world lies a truth rooted in another struggle that takes us away from politics: the fight against cancer. In July 2007, Scientific American reported that the presence of inflammation in the vicinity of pre-cancerous cells may be the key factor that triggers them into becoming full-blown tumors. Already a long list of chronic diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, and, surprisingly, depression, were found to be closely linked to inflammation. With cancer added to the list, one fact became glaringly obvious. Cancer cannot be seen in isolation without considering factors elsewhere in the body. This latest finding may alter how researchers view cancer altogether, especially considering that both leading cancer treatments, radiation and chemotherapy, trigger the inflammation response.
In other words, the intended cure may make the disease worse in the long run.
The fact that inflamed feelings against America have goaded passive Muslims into active terrorism is more than a convenient metaphor. The whole notion of a war on terror, like Nixon’s war on cancer announced in 1971, is based on wrong assumptions. In neither case does a massive frontal assault work, nor is there a simple entity known as "cancer" or "terrorism" to be defeated. The body’s complex web of actions, both beneficial and harmful, and not excluding effects that are as yet unknown, forms the environment for the multidimensional affliction we label as cancer.
Naturally, it’s much easier to think in simplistic terms. The medical community had its doubts from the start about the war on cancer. But the concept was sellable to the public, and maybe, just maybe, cancer would be obligingly simple, despite all odds. It wasn’t, and neither is terrorism. Terrorism exists in its own complex web of social activity. The contributing factors are as tangled as the Middle East culture and history. We can no longer pretend that a military approach will succeed, even though that is the most sellable one to the public.
The most respected experts in counter-intelligence have come to the same conclusion. If you know that an exclusively military option is not the solution to terrorism, why keep posturing that it is? We have other options. International policing with local cooperation is always an available alternative and has brought greater success in foiling terror plots than anything else so far. Surveillance, within the bounds of civil liberties, is a fruitful tool of policing. But first and foremost, if terrorism is like cancer, let’s treat it that way. Cancer is universal, endemic, and never entirely eradicable. For this generation, terrorism is the same. Our goal should be to keep it in check, with a final vision of healing it. The right wing may resist this interpretation with all its might, but the noxious effect of inflaming Arab sympathizers and thus turning them into terror cells is there for all to see.
If terrorism is like cancer, and I agree it is, then any type of inflammation will aggravate it. It is obvious that anti-inflammatory treatment is needed.
And what is the main way to calm down inflammation of souls? Kindness, understanding, attentive listening, a willingness to find real solutions for everyone's problems …
Of course, we won't sit down with the most inflammed people and listen, because they will be shooting… but we can at least listen to the regions close by, like you do in your Sirius Programs, Deepak. Listen to the people close by, ask all those who know the cultures and contexts and know what they are talking about, and try to understand. Then we can maybe let go of our ego and see if we in the Western world, have any role in the inflammation of our world, and stop doing things in the same way.
And I would do the same with the inflammed souls in the West, those who want to answer to war with war. It is not hard to understand that they are scared, that they want peace and prosperity for their families and nations. It is important to listen and not judge, to use peaceful words from a peaceful heart when debating, because we all want the same things. And then, maybe the inflammation can calm down enough for another way to be possible. I know that the only remedy for war is peace, I wish peace for all.
Wow, that is an incredible post, Deepak. What an amazing metaphoric world it is we are experiencing!
Well America has always strike me as a country of extremes. And while this is a good thing in some situations it certainly isn't in the fight against terrorism. America can forget about using their militaristic muscle to make this one go away. Oh no, it's way more complictaed then that. For once America has to show what they are really made of. I mean its very convinient to go blow up every country that attacks you, but what do you do when that is just not possible? Like you rightly said terrorism is a cancer. It's not something you just make go away. Chemotherapy and radiation kills cancer cells but also kills healthy cells. Will America become a monster to stop a monster? I can only hope not.
The way to stop a cancer is to shut off it's food supply.
Yes, Deepak, this is exactly how I have been writing about this. It is truly the heart of the matter… Need to work with great compassion on this issue, with the hope of one day, healing it…
Quote from your post:-
"Our goal should be to keep it in check, with a final vision of healing it"
The key and very most instrumental phrase and vision of action is the "healing" process
Every aspect of the Universe when sought to be healed is more receptive to the concerned grievances, conflict of opinions, assertions and other related aspects that might bear relevance to the final vision envisaged
So prior to embarking onto a decisive platform from which the vantage point is perceived and formulated wisely; it is the "Healing" perspective that should be accorded the predominant precedence; the accentuated emphasis; the pivotal structure of the infrastructure
Basically, everything when approached with an intention of "Healing" is more cordial, understanding and receptive, since it is addressing the concerns in a mutually acceptable basis
It is similar to pursuing and implementing the "Nature" process
What is Nature speaking to us in each and every moment infinitely:-
Nature expresses the testament that
"The interest; The inspiration; The wisdom that we perceive in one another is the Appreciation for the very finest in Life"
Now if we look at this carefully:-
The interest is the concern / the healing
The inspiration is the encouragement / the healing
The wisdom is the neutral – impartial but mutually acceptable resolution / yet again, this also points directly to healing
In this way, we could taken any virtue into consideration; any of the finest and wisest or the most mundane of aspects into consideration
All aspects refer to healing; the compassion; the understanding; the considerate understand; the inspiring approach which all point to "healing" unanimously
Sincerely hoping, wishing and praying for Global Peace, Love and Wisdom to prevail consistently
Best Wishes,
Vashi
Quote from your post:-
"Our goal should be to keep it in check, with a final vision of healing it"
The key and very most instrumental visionary process of action is the "healing" process
Every aspect of the Universe "when sought to be healed is more receptive" to reciprocating the concerned grievances amicably, conflict of opinions amicably, assertions and other related aspects that might bear relevance to the final vision envisaged amicably
So prior to embarking onto a decisive platform from which the vantage point is perceived and formulated wisely; it is the "Healing" perspective that should be accorded the predominant precedence; the accentuated emphasis; the pivotal structure of the infrastructure
Basically, everything when approached with an intention of "Healing" is more cordial, understanding and receptive, since it is addressing the concerns on an mutually acceptable basis
It is similar to pursuing and implementing the "Nature Natural" process
What is Nature expressing to us in each and every moment infinitely:-
Nature expresses the testament that
"The interest; The inspiration; The wisdom that we perceive in one another is the Appreciation for the very finest in Life"
Now if we look at this carefully:-
The interest is the concern / this is pointing cordially to the healing
The inspiration is the encouragement / this is stimulating the healing
The wisdom is the neutral – impartial but mutually acceptable resolution / yet again, this also responsibly points directly to the healing process
In this way, we could take any virtue into consideration; any of the finest and wisest or the most mundane of aspects into consideration
All aspects refer to healing; the compassion; the understanding; the considerate understanding; the inspiring approach which all point to "healing" unanimously
This has been practiced since the echelons of time, since evolution was first created that if the intentions are sincere and seek to heal, then the panicky and terrorized opponents emerge from their enclaves with a different perspective knowing that if they relentlessly pursue their ideologies that are going against Nature, they would be destruction the very purpose that inspires them
Even the most rigid of personalities has at the very core a certain element / scope for being healed; but of course this healing process is an intensive and prolonged / extensively elongated process that could not be simply evolved / legislated simply by speaking a few words
It needs careful consideration, to look into careful ways and means how the aspects could be objectively; practically; wisely and responsibly bifurcated into yet further smaller segments; comprehended carefully and then ensure that the instituted set of actions drafted for taking responsible action are taking into consensus the collective /views / the mutual acceptance basis of approach
There is certainly a lot that can be discussed and identified; however this has to commence "with the intention of healing"; it matters; it counts; it is credible; it is infinite; it is the cure for any malady
(If any opposing faction may seek to ignore the healing process, then this would be their prerogative since with every reasonable and meaningful steps being taken and invested wisely and responsibly / into mutual consideration and acceptance being ignored would result in debacle for their self proclaimed agendas.
The self proclaimed agendas of a few individuals cannot hold hostage the millions of precious Lives who are sincere in their approach, intentions, hopes, actions and wishes)
The "healing" approach ; The "healing" process is a miracle by itself if this could be so called; so defined
My perspective of the denotation of healing compiled herewith in the expounded form for each alphabet is:-
H for "Happy & Hope"
E for "Enthusiasm, Emancipation & Expectation"
A for "Appreciation, Admiration & Aspiration"
L for "Love"
I for "Inspiration, Innovation & Intelligence"
N for "New, Need & Nice"
G for "Good. Great, Genuine & Gratitude"
Sincerely hoping, wishing and praying for Global Peace, Love and Wisdom to prevail consistently
Best Wishes,
Vashi
Deepak, so your solution is – international policing with local cooperation.
This 'International Policing' is quite vague, naive and rather simpilistic. India is the most severe victim of terrorism. Where is the International Police ? In today's world it is – his is whose is.
You talked about the cancer in the body. The body funtions as a whole unit to fight any illness. To fight this cancer of terrorism all countries need to unite as one. Thinking this to happen…. is silly, dreaming at the best.
V C
For advanced cancer — chemotherapy is needed to burn out the affected part with radiation. Or, discard/ampute the diseased part to save the rest of the body from getting affected.
The Bush way may not be the answer. Neither is Deepak's, with due humbleness and respect
V C
When we view terrorism from a vertical perspective, we see that it is a natural expression of the threat which that level of development (a fundamentalist belief in mythic Gods) perceives from the next (and more evolved) level of development, which is free economy (one downside of which is rampant consumerism and a lack of belief in any god).
In terms of Spiral Dynamics (Graves/Beck), the 'orange' meme is pressuring the 'blue' meme; the latter sees its only response as trying to destroy the former – hence terrorism.
The solution will include such an understanding by those charged with this complex task.
Dear Deepak,
You know it's really a very unfortunate analogy, cancer and terrorism. I think you are just projecting your already many times stated "anti-terrorism" program onto a new canvas.
Some cancers are controlled with vigilance (e.g., skin cancer). When the offending lesion is discovered it is simply (and as completely as possible) excised. I think this is an equally valid conclusion to draw from reality.
The real reason your analogy is so unfortunate, though, is because cancer is just a natural limitation of just about every living multicellular organism. It is natural. It cannot be eradicated in general. You are essentially implying the eternal intractability of terrorism by equating it to cancer.
Please think these things out a little more thoroughly before committing them to keyboard.
L'Shalom,
Rafi Schutzer
I have read an interesting explanation to cancer that might add another perspective…
Cancerous cells are "egoistic" cells in the body, in that they are not in harmony with it. Since there is much egoism in the body of humanity, many people have been suffering from this disease, not necessarily because they had done anything wrong, but because we are all connected, and as long as the body is not healed, individuals are at risk. to give a general example- when people egoistically pollute somewhere in the world, it can effect others in completely different parts of the world and put them at risk.
So the healing of this illness is linked to the healing of other problems in the world, including terror.
On the material level, it is necessary to apply the medicine, the researched tools (conventional and alternative) that are available to us that can help cure the problem.To really heal in the long run, we must involve the spiritual level, and come to harmony within our own bodies, and as the individual cells in the body of humanity, transcending our egos and realizing that we are interconnected and dependent on eachother for our well being and health.
And when it comes to the specific issue of terror, I feel it is the same. We need to take whatever steps we need to take in order to stop it on the material level, (not ignoring the problem, or trying to wish it away) but at the same time, work to evolve ourselves towards harmony with nature, with the Creator. As Deepak teaches, the world is in us, when we have healed our egoism, we will see that the world has healed.
My meditation teacher has taught me that I must first learn to guard my mind of further contaminants, then clear it of what has already entered it, and finally, start planting new seeds of harmony and love. Our approach needs to be multi-leveled, as I believe healing cancer should be. From the coarse, material, physical level, to the energetic, emotional, thought and spiritual.
The science of Kabbalah offers a method to reach this spiritual healing, this correction of the ego. http://www.kab.info
Love and Light