You may have read my post about the Mumbai terror attacks, "The Taj is Burning."
For me, and for many of us on Intent, the significance of the Taj is formidable — it represents a safehaven from the economic and religious tensions that permeate the city, the country, the region. It is where foreigners and businessmen congregate.
Since November 26th, when the attacks began, many on Intent.com have spoken out, expressing their feelings and concerns about the significance of the violence.
Salman Ahmad wrote "Terrorist Attack in Mumbai " — discussing the significance of the attacks from the perspective of a Pakistani-American — and noting that now we must come together to overcome this violence — we must not be reduced to racism or bigotry ourselves.
Anupam Kher added his voice to the cause, with his post, "I Want to Live, Not Exist" He describes his connection to the city of Mumbai, the fact that he is a "Mumbaikar."
Shekhar Kapur wrote from the heart, with "Mumbai in Mourning" expressing his concern that now the Hindu fundamentalist forces will come out — and delay peace that much longer.
My brother, Gotham Chopra, authored "Mumbai Mess" – looking at why Islamic sects in Pakistan, and societies in Afghanistan and Islam, are separating themselves — or perhaps separated — from the rest of the world. He notes that this separation is behind the violence and terrorism that is now wreaking havoc on our world.
Many more shared their voices, thoughts and emotions on the Mumbai attacks on Intent.com.
Read the posts and share your thoughts with our community — perhaps the wisdom created here will permeate to the larger world and create the change we so need.
Thanks for the forum.
i struggle to find any sort of meaning in these terrorists attacks, the attacks in Mumbai have really shook me. recollection of effects of july 7 attacks here in London. Senseless, cruel, the killing of the innocent people. here in the uk we lived many years with the IRA bombing campaign. Although it seems frightening to venture out these days 'in case of' but we must not be intimidated by these religious fanatical bullies. apparently the Islamic terrorists have little concern for this precious 'life' believing the 'paradise' that awaits 'good muslims' is far beyond any comfort or pleasure here on Earth. But to my way of thinking there are powerful cowards behind these terrorists who encourage through brainwashing or whatever means to carry out their demented idealism. How come for instance the top names such as Osama lets say, have not themselves offered themselves up for the supposed 'paradise'?
Their latest tweapon is to use learning disabled people and women, vulnerable through circumstance to the evil brainwashing of that 'promised paradise'. By the way what is the prize offered for these people in the 'afterlife'? x numbers of vestal virgins i think not! my greatest worry in the Mumbai attacks is the strained relations with Pakisttan , a very clever move by these terrorists don't you think?
Shall we be silent and radiate peace when incidents like this occur -
or shall be stand up and scream our pain and take action to stop the violence?
This is the huge issue that comes up for me when reading the posts
and reflecting upon the incident.
My heart goes out to the people who have suffered and felt under siege.
May we experience such violence no more – we are better than that.
Peace, Elaine
For all its physical horrors, terrorism has affected a very small acreage of the planet, yet we risk allowing terroeism to infect the complete landscape of our minds – all 7billion of us. There is an antidote. And it's not denial. But every time we find our mind afflicted with the reflection of terrorism, use that moment as a reminder to fill our mind with the opposite vision. Then suddenly there are 7 billion minds actively ablaze with peace.
Such sad events indeed, which bring back the pain of 3/11 in Madrid, the London bombings and 9/11. There is however a perspective that allows us to respond to such events in a healthy and progressive way. When we understand the vertical perspective on development, such as that which is outlined by Spiral Dynamics (Beck/Graves), we can see that our responses must include an understanding of the values of those involved. This does not condone their actions but, at least we can understand their reasons and respond to all suffering in the world accordingly.
Hi s golf !
I have missed what Deepak has to say about this issue. From your comment, it seems Deepak to be justifying, the illitrecy, unjustice etc. towards the Muslims as the cause. If this really be Deepak's reasoning, I beg to differ too.
In the first place, why are the muslims in general be illiterate, proverty stricken, feel justice not done to them by other communities ? They feel (definitly not all but many of them) deprived and expect others to bail them out. Don't they have the minimum responsibility to do good for themselves. Who is stopping them ? They and they alone are to are to be blamed for the situation/image they have built for themselves.
Well, I am sure Islam is not at fault. It is the misintrepretetion of the the faith, distroted by some of the willy moulvies to suit their perverted goals.
All is not lost. I belive, there must be many responsible, forward looking muslim citezens, clergies who should stand up, raise their voises and show the way.
In this movement, people like Deepak Chopra too can play a significant role, along with all of us. Not by trying to justify the misdeeds but by being firm yet compassonate.
As for the Hindus, yes, we have become a rather too timid and meek lot. We try to show our greatness by readily loosing our own indentity.
I agree with Paul Bailey 100%. With all of us commenting on this terror and continuing to keep it in our vibrations, we are keeping it alive. Let's use this opportunity to use this to substitute out the thoughts of the terror and violence and fill our thoughts with love, compassion, peace, and beauty. If we do anything else, we are only playing right into evil's hands and recreating terrrorism. We all know what we focus on grows, so let's stop focusing on this event. We are powerful at Intent, so let's use this power for the positive and not the negative by continuing on this destructive path with all of our talk and pontification of violence.
My heart goes out to those affected by this, and I pray for their lives to be full of love, light, beauty, and peace.
Peace, love, and light,
Krissy
I believe that the terrorism that seems to be all around us is nothing more than another small group of people trying to impose their will upon the rest of us, not unlike the Nazi's. World history is sprinkled with different groups trying to impose their will on others. And as a citizen of the US, I recognize that unfortunately, my own government has been guilty of such actions. My hope is that all the factions involved in the Mumbai situation will show restraint, and no more violence will come of this. For my own part, I will pray for those not only who lost their lives, but for the persons responsible.
I served in the military and through that came to know some very, very fine young men. (The story of Canadian PM Lester Pearson creating UN Peacekeepering while there as our ambassador inspired me when I was told of it at age 7.)
When I think of the blinding righteousness and zeal that must have driven the Mumbai assassins … it's like looking into the face of madness.
I can't believe that such as they are motivated by yearning for justice. More likely they've been grasped by the specious logic of absolute purity embattled by absolute evil … which leaves no middle ground for those beings who find less dramatic ways to struggle for happiness.
I can only hope that universally it's seen how their hard-hearted inhumanity is the necessary consequence of such thinking, so that ideologies and theologies become the servant of rights and justice, as it should be.
" World history is sprinkled with different groups trying to impose their will on others. And as a citizen of the US, I recognize that unfortunately, my own government has been guilty of such actions. "
I was in uniform when we (the un-declared coalition of like minded nations) overthrew the democratically elected government in Chile … serving the military to inderdict the "Evil Empire" I watched in horror as we did the evil I had sworn to oppose. It seemed to me a breach of the most fundamental social contract: the rule of law.
In my clumsy exploration of the texts I found a single instance in Taoism where something was referred to as "sin": to interfere with the development of another.
If ever we come to reverence the blossoming and flourishing of individuals and people we will then, perhaps, cease from imposing the fictional dictates of our own will.
Paul, I completely agree that we as a global community could accomplish the seemingly impossible by visualizing peace and prosperity. What an excellent reminder and perspective.
Dear Mallika,
Your father's "Attack prompts tough questions" wilh Larry King on CNN is like pouring salt on the wounds of Mumbai people and Indians. It is not truthful either. It is like a representative of the Islamic extrimists talking about the attacks on Mumbai, very biased towards the extrimists. It is very damaging not only to India but to the cause of peace. Since it was on public TV whatever damage it has done to the public perception of India cannont be undone. At least , please remove it from your other website IntentBlog and also from this blog if it is still here.
Thanks
The world is in such a state of chaos by the die hard fundamentalist of every religion.. not just one or two. I think it's sad that groups use the unknowing and the youth to push their own religious and political agendas. I find it criminal in nature. That applies to any group regardless of where they are based in their socio/religious/ political orientation. The world will never progress as long as we keep these ancient bias ideas floating around.
I'm glad to call my self and evolved human because I am eclectic.
* sighs and wanders off. *
Larry,
You took the words right out of my mouth! It's so frustrating to me and yes, criminal in nature. It's nice to find other "evolved humans" – the more we evolve, the better the world will be!
Mallika,
Thank you and the others who have posted such insightful messages from your "insider" points of view. For those like me who don't have any personal history with India or Pakistan, it's good to learn about what's happened in the past and how that has affected what is happening now.
My thoughts and positive energy go out to those innocent people caught up in the "Mumbai Mess".
Mumbai, With Sincere Hopes, Thoughts and Humble Prayers
I would like to extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to the bereaved Families and prayers and thoughts to all affected by the brutal attacks in Mumbai
This is totally unfair; innocent Lives being cruelly snatched by perpetrators of such condemnable actions
"When" will the perpetrators of such condemnable actions ever understand that by committing such actions, they are literally committing the very most sinful of actions!
It only leaves one more confused, perplexed and wondering in amazement with so many questions unanswered as to Why, Why and Why are such actions taking place? What do the perpetrators achieve?
Why don't they realize and understand that the World needs Peace, Love, Progress and Prosperity; that when they first contribute and invest in Peace and Love can they expect to reciprocate likewise, "When" will they ever learn?
Life is extremely Precious and when the perpetrators just take decisions and commit unforgivable actions; they only foster more repulsion and disgust at what they are seeking to demonstrate.
By committing such actions, they are only creating more hatred for themselves primarily; as well as further distancing and surrounding themselves with a vicious circle of further infinite hatred
At this crucial moment, where we stand at the cross roads of doing our very best to comprehend the reasons for these condemnable actions; it is sincerely Hoped that decisive resolutions are identified whereby they are able to facilitate an effective mitigation right from the core roots of these elements, where they emerged.
"Understanding" the core elements relating to this process is one of the strategic and instrumental keys in effectively managing and regulating the process instead of solely combatting since the first process is to establish a platform upon which a firm foundation could be built; the foundation of Universal Hope, Peace, Trust, Love, Peace, Harmony, Progress and Prosperity
It is pursuing an hopeful and practical process; whereby anticipating, innovating and embarking onto pursuing a practical approach for adeptly and resolutely dealing with such type of condemnable actions is being encouraged; Alas what has occurred cannot be recuperated, but the sacrifice that has been made by several innocent victims over the years reminds us and encourages us to stringently identify resolutions that could effectively harness the various factors effectively and implement a resolute approach in dealing / combatting with such condemnable actions decisively and practically.
It is more easily said than done; but every step taken in the direction of seeking to identify each resolution is essential and imminently approaching
Evolution is testament and holds evidential records of various events that have occurred and it is our duty to educate and inspire the concerned to seek to "Recognize" and "Understand" the immense potential value of each and every Life, since Life is extremely Precious and Splendid; and can "NEVER" be snatched away by these type of cowardly actions on any pretext or instance whatsoever.
Each and Everyone has the rightful privilege to Live and cannot become subject to what perpetrators of such condemnable actions think and decide, it is absolutely very wrongful, punishable to the maximum possible extents and unpardonable; (Although the deviation is there when reference is made to referring to the aspect of punishment, it is but natural that when all steps that are taken to make the concerned understand the significance and importance of reality and when they refuse to understand and persistently seek to establish their own agendas, then in such contexts, this is NOT permissible since there has to be Universal Harmony, Peace and Love that is accorded contentious precedence and pre dominance since the Universe provides us and bestows us each and every Moment with the very finest of virtues but when there is an interruption or attempts made by perpetrators to change the course of what is being manifested Universally, then the perpetrators are naturally SUBJECT to pay a price for their irresponsible actions, face the consequences; they need to be accountable and responsible and essentially "Understand" that defying the Universal Principles, The Laws of Nature is having a price that NEEDS to be paid)
It is not only retribution alone, it is fairness where no sides are taken, but what is just and unjust; since Nature never discriminates or favors one over another; but tends to remind and make one aware time and again that it makes one pay for one's wrong deeds whether now or later; but definitely has its own way of compensating those that have been made to endure and face unfortunate events due to the mindless actions taken by perpetrators; the distinguishing of those that are right and those that are wrong is already being journalized / recorded and will seek accountability accordingly.
I shall summarize the above comments on this note since it is an extensive appeal that consistently seeks to kindle the Hope for establishing Universal Hope, Peace, Trust, Love, Peace, Harmony, Progress and Prosperity; If a reference has been made to certain tendencies that reflect accountability, this is natural, since every action that is taken is linked and bound to result in a reaction; so every action that is taken must be carefully assessed and taken explicitly on the basis of establishing Universal Hope, Peace, Trust, Love, Peace, Harmony, Progress and Prosperity; it is the pursuit of a mutual process and not solely for suiting one's agenda alone!
With sincere Hopes, Thoughts and Humble Prayers,
Vashi Ram Chandi