Contemplative Monday

The following is from 'The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh' (click)

published by 'Shambhala Pocket Classics".

THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTION

"Right now America (the world) is burning with fear, suffering, and hatred.

If only to ease our suffering, we have to return to ourselves and seek

to understand why we are caught up in so much violence.

What has caused terrorists to hate so much that they are willing to sacrifice

their own lives and create so much suffering for other people?

We see their great hatred, but what lies underneath it?

Injustice.

Of course we have to find a way to stop their violence;

 we may even need to keep people locked in prison while their hatred burns.

But the important thing is to look deeply and ask,

'What responsibility do we have for this injustice in the world?'

Responding to violence with violence can only bring more violence,

more injustice, and more suffering, not only to others

but to ourselves.

This wisdom is in every one of us.

When we breathe deeply, we can touch this seed of wisdom in us.

I know that if the energy of wisdom and of compassion

 in the American (world) people could be nourished for even one week,

it would reduce the level of anger and hatred in the country (world)."

*** I added (world).