While cashing a check at my local bank, I noticed that the two bank tellers working inside were both Muslim women. As they processed my transaction I started to think about the middle east conflict escalating in Gaza.
She put the check in her drawer, handed me my cash, and that should have been the end of the transaction. Instead though, I looked her right in the eyes and said, "Peace be with you". As if pleasantly surprised all she said back was "thank you", but the look in her eyes was one of emotional aching and the tone of her voice conveyed deep appreciation for my words. Very unexpectedly, I started to feel a profound human connection to her and I started cry uncontrollably.
I left the bank and sat in my car for a long time, agonizing over all the suffering resulting from religious conflict. As I sat there crying, I became even more upset at the lack of a clear solution to the middle east conflict.
I do not have "the" answer. But as a person committed to the practice of nonviolence I do have MY answer: No matter what happens, I will not kill anybody. No matter what happens, I will not kill anyone. Even if my country is stolen from me, even if my house burned down, and even if my family is murdered by religious extremists… I will not retaliate with violence.
In my heart of hearts I know with complete and total certainty that my choice, my path, and my life purpose, is Unconditional Love. Will you join me?
Infinite Blessings,
Zach Perlman
Executive Director
Monks Without Borders
www.MonksWithoutBorders.org
You are a very brave person! I cant join you, because it takes too much strength to be some one like Jesus Christ. but we can always bow our head at his superiority.
Good luck Zach.
All I can say is it's a good thing we didn't have such beautiful souls as yours storming the beach at Normandy and during the Battle of the Bulge.
War is just that, war. If you're not inclined to read from the Torah, I suggest you read the Bhagavad Gita. It might give you a better understanding of our limited human emotions when confronting evil.
When all is said and done there will be peace in Israel.
L'Shalom,
Rafi Schutzer
Loving all that is unconditionally is my desire for myself. I believe if as many of us as possible could love, simply love, then conflict would begin to have no fuel. Our concentrated love, coming in waves and growing, would bring an environment to the world that would not allow violence to take root. We need to start and it starts with me and you. Yes, Zach, I will join you.