Several years ago when I was detained by officials while trying to pass through immigration on the way out of a certain “rogue nation,” and kept in a holding cell while the officials tried to determine what to do with me, I alternatively freaked out, tried to reflect on the lessons I could learn from the event, and crafted a loose proposal that might enable me to exploit it. Gradually though as the hours passed, I started to think through anything that I could do to facilitate my own release. I recalled a formula my father had taught me which he claimed was the solution to any problem: intention, attention, action. I got to work. Alas, after several hours I was let go, provided I wrote and signed a confession which I did (with a false name that no one bothered to verify) and was on my merry way home.
No such luck for American journalists Roxanne Saberi, now convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran for spying, as well as two other reporters Euna Lee and Laura Ling (the latter of whom I count amongst my closest friends) charged with similar crimes in North Korea and facing just as difficult and veiled judicial process to determine their immediate fates.
Before getting back to the formula, here are a few of the issues we’re all afraid to talk about too much because there are no clear solutions to them and they involve far larger geopolitical gamesmanship and the like that not may help Ms. Saberi, Lee, and Ling’s respective plights. Iran and North Korea are both former members of the infamous “axis of evil,” a brand that has not exactly left a pleasant legacy for either of them as they attempt to force the new Obama administration to deal with them in his newly declared era of reconciliation. Both countries are also in the midst of vague nuclear buildups, the proliferation of which has not made them any friends amongst the global community as seemingly everyone else trends toward disarmament. Then there are the human rights issues of which both Iran and North Korea have very blemished track records (not that our own is so hot right now). And there are their own respective economic woes, which make much of the rest of the world’s problems appear pale in comparison, and make their own domestic situations enormously volatile.
But here’s the thing: none of the above should preclude a constructive dialogue between all the involved nations on the release and repatriation of Ms.’s Saberi, Lee, and Ling. Resolving Ms.’s Saberi, Lee, and Ling’s languishing travails would be the first step in illustrating that Iran, North Korea, and the US have the capability of resolving their differences, a critical process as we inch toward a brave new world where our economies, ecologies, and basic survival is inexorably tangled together. We have to solve these problems or we will soon have a single problem of planetary extinction, be it by nuclear detonation or some other unleashed fanaticism.
To answer the immediate critics, yes it does involve the US extending itself beyond just finding middle ground. It does mean making concessions and inevitably planting karmic seeds that run the risk of producing even more problems down the line. But that’s the role and risk a parent sometimes has to play with a child that acts out in an effort to get attention. It’s not stooping to their level. It’s just bending down to look them in the eye and let them know you’re taking them seriously. It’s the end that matters most, so let’s get creative with the means.
But rather than playing policy, here’s what you really need to do. Start paying attention. The American news media’s getting tea-bagged by Somalian teenage pirates is the result of the public’s basic laziness toward larger, more complicated issues that require critical thinking and careful diplomacy. That’s not to advocate the traditional populist barnstorming of the Iranian or North Korean regimes, outcry on human rights issues, and self-righteous calls for social justice – all types of pressure that often fail to get the desired result. Nope – this is where the formula comes in:
Intention: the safe and prompt return of Roxanne Saberi, Euna Lee, and Laura Ling to their families and homes.
Attention: Spread the word. Give these women’s plights some attention every day, if only for a few moments. A prayer, a thought, a tweet to a friend, a status update – whatever fits your bill.
Action: Action is the inevitable culmination of the prior two. It results spontaneously when intention and attention are mobilized. Ironically you don’t have to do much because it will happen through you.
I’m a firm believer in the process outlined above. Not just because it got me out of an underground airport prison years ago but because there is an actual documented science that underlies critical mass theory and what happens when enough people unite and mobilize intention and attention. But rather than get obsessed with the mechanics of the means, let’s stay focused on the end.
Because of my friendship with Laura Ling specifically, I have spent hours at a time over the last month of her captivity agonizing over her predicament. In doing so, however, I have also found my heart aching for Ms. Saberi and Ms. Lee, neither of whom I have ever met, though I hope to someday very soon. In thinking back to my own anxiety filled situation many years ago which only lasted a comparatively few short hours, I can only imagine the fear, doubt, confusion, and hopelessness that these three women are feeling right now at this moment in their confinement. Sadly, they cannot be relied upon to do much to secure their own release.
They are relying on you.
Don’t let them down.
Gotham Chopra
My heart aches when I think about their plight, and I too have spent hours thinking about how we can help. I agree that we should open up discussions with these nations and not attack. How can we overcome conflict if we refuse to speak?
The intent is to bring these young women home to their families immediately.
Gotham, I intent they are all released and back home safe. I will bring this to silent attention as much as I can.
Wishing them and everyone peace and courage.
Gotham,
Thank you for this blog. I have a few thoughts I'd like to add, as I have been pondering this issue a lot. This comes from my own experience with tight spots and how to get through them, and I'll skip the details because they don't matter, the insights do:
I completely agree with intention, attention and action being the way. But what I've discovered is that these all need to be INNER happenings if you want the outer to change.
———————————————————————-
What every person can do to help this intention manifest is:
Intention: the safe and prompt return of Roxanne Saberi, Euna Lee, and Laura Ling to their families and homes.
Attention: what IN ME has co-created this situation, in what way has my inner perspective participated to their situation? Take a good look… see without judging and without turning the other way.
Action: let go of that IN ME which co-created this situation.
——————————————————————–
So Gotham, I'd say let us start paying attention. What in us is creating this conflict with other nations? What makes us "bend down to look them in the eye "? Can it be our imagined higher position? Can we take action, meaning let go of the imagined superiority… and watch the miracle of true equality, peace and cooperation emerge?
Without inner change, nothing will change out there. And it's never about "them" changing.
Let Roxanne Saberi be free. Let Euna Lee be free. Let Laura Ling be free.
Perhaps we could have a meditation at the TM Center here in Perth on this issue. Perhaps a meditation could be organised all around the world.
Marcia
Love and prayers to all the three. May they soon return to their family.
Dear Gotham,
This is heartbreaking.
I myself have had close calls overseas. Many people just don
Send a letter
O.K, we sent an email to the Iranian government in behalf of Roxanne. What about Euna and Laura?
Dear Gotham: I support your intent and will intend the same and pray for a safe release soon. In the meantime, I will follow Paul's example and write on their behalf.
Love, Greg
Yes, I have sent this to my friends and will also focus on Euna's, Laura's and Roxanne's safe release.
4-21-2009 @11:00 PM ~ Gracias ~ Thank You Gotham ~
The formula of intention, attention and action is a good basic process of cognition. When faced with a tough situation I usually go through a process involving perception, conception and action. It seems to be the same kind of process, but I dig the INTENTION, ATTENTION and ACTION!
Bold ACTION makes the front line and exhibits our cosmic consciousness in observable connected reality. I love the concept of enough information reaching masses of people until it gets to the point where there is a 'critical mass' that can dynamically impact on real consciousness and bring about creative change in the world and in mass consciousness.
I believe prayers have an invisible power when done with fervent belief by a good heart. I am reminded of Brother Leonard Peltier who has been caged for decades. Let us pray for ALL who are caged without reason without justice as they suffer wherever they are in the world, especially for the nameless and faceless aliens who are true strangers in a strange land whom we never know about as if they have never existed!
I took the ACTION of posting your article to a Yahoo Group I am the Moderator for @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Humane-Rights-Agend… and to others in other places on the planet online! I could not just reply with only a warm-fuzzy! ;->
Education for Liberation!
Peter S. Lopez aka: Peta
Sacramento, California, Aztlan
Yahoo Email: peter.lopez51@yahoo.com
anhglobal.ning.com/profile/peta51
anhglobal.ning.com/group/worldhealersforum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4b3v5-roNY
you are all fantastic examples of human beings x
Dear Peter,
I hope you won't drop a process that starts with Perception. Because… what will change in this world if we don't change our perception?
Even if we push one government to release one prisoner by writing a billion mails… what will actually change in our world? Will things be better without our perception of each other changing? Will we see the Iranian government as something other than the same old "member of the axis of evil" if they release one woman after lots of pressure of all kinds from our side? Will we see ourselves as something other than the same old "heroes triumphing over the bad guys if we fight long and hard enough"?
Will the conflicts stop? Will the bad guys stop taking prisoners to force the world to see how good they are, and will the good guys stop hiding their own prisons under big words, to stop the world from seeing how bad they are? What will change if we don't stop seeing ourselves as spotless heroes against the evil ones?
-A shift in perception first.
-Then conception of a new world of equally light and dark nations, all striving to increase our common light.
-Then action- all the mails, petitions, tweets and blogs you want, acknowledging a real and not forced attention, a real and not phoney caring about not only our, but also "their" point of view, needs, rights and good qualities which are AS important and deserve AS much respect as "ours".
Without a shift in perception, any action will just reinforce the conflict- coming from arrogance, it will inflame arrogance. And then we will miss the true incredible opportunity that Roxanne, Euna and Laura are so generously creating. Theirs, and ours, can be a great destiny, we can transform the whole world, if we manage to transform our own consciousness.
"The prayers of a righteous man availeth much." The prayers of the rest of us should support that righteous man.
Ed, would you like to define "righteous"?
Right living. Without offense in thought word and deed.
And where would you say is that "righteous man" to be found?
I cannot say.
How about inside each of us, if we look deep enough? If we go beyod the judging, comparing, competing mind? If we go to the place where we are all equally expressions of this one life?
Aurora,
Mighty big IFS there. But I truly appreciate the lesson – and your patience in teaching it. Love and Light,
Ed
Yes Ed. Still, it's the most natural way to be. We're just so deafened by the noise in our heads.
Be well, thank you for you
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1809494.html
Candlelight vigil set for Sacramento journalist held in North Korea
Bee staff
Published: Saturday, Apr. 25, 2009 – 9:13 am
Candlelight vigils set for Sacramento journalist held in North Korea
Candlelight vigils for two American journalists being put on trial in North Korea are planned for Tuesday evening in Sacramento and San Francisco.
Laura Ling, who attended Sacramento's Del Campo High School, and Euna Lee, were seized by North Korean soldiers more than a month ago while working on a story about the plight of North Korean refugees along the Chinese border. They were focusing on the women who end up at the mercy of human traffickers and the children who grow up in hiding. The two American women work for for Al Gore's San Francisco Web-based media outlet Current TV.
On Friday, international news reports said North Korea's Central News Agency announced the two Americans would be placed on trial.
Organizers of the vigils say they want to bring attention to the Americans' plight.
Laura Ling,32, grew up in Sacramento and attended Del Campos High School. She is the younger sister of Lisa Ling, the TV personality who began her career as a teen on Sacramento TV
In a message to the vigil organizers Friday, Lisa Ling said: "The families of Laura and Euna are touched by your support of our girls. This has been an incredibly difficult time for us. Please understand that due to the extreme sensitivity of the case, it is vital for our families to stay quiet. Please know however, that when you are out there holding those candles, that we are there with you with fires lit in our hearts."
In Sacramento, the candlelight vigil will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Del Campo High School, 4925 Dewey Dr., Fair Oaks.
In the Bay Area, the vigil will begin at 6:30 p.m. outside Current TV offices at 6:30 p.m. , 118 King St., San Francisco.
Comment: As a humane being on spiritual pathways with heart, I will pray for Laura Ling and help to raise consciousness about this and other humane rights issues. I did not even know she was from Sacramento and it did not click that she was related to Lisa Ling. Lisa Ling was in Sacramento recently and did an expose about Sacramento homeless people who are social refugees who were staying at the now closed up Tent City.
All social issues are interconnected in one way or another and we should strive to share those interconnections.
Education for Liberation!
Peter S. Lopez aka: Peta
Sacramento, California, Aztlan
Yahoo Email: peter.lopez51@yahoo.com
anhglobal.ning.com/profile/peta51
anhglobal.ning.com/group/worldhealersforum
Roxane, Euna and Laura are in my steadfast prayers; that they be released, unharmed, very very soon.