Sunday, October 08, 2006

Lessons in Living


Recently the land of Lancaster, PA was shattered with gunshots meant to wreak havoc and exact some kind of retaliation on innocence people. The girls that were murdered just happened to be there. Some may say at the wrong place at the wrong time. However, in looking at the lesson more fully, they were in the right place at the right and at the perfect time.

30 days ago, the nation remembered and mourned the loss of life at another senseless barbaric murder of 911. Innocent people were murdered to make a statement and to exact some kind of retaliation on other innocent people that just happened to be there. The reaction of the two events is very interesting. For the 911 event, this country decided to exact an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth and to hunt down and rid this planet of the people involved. We even threatened other countries with bombing them to the stone age, if they did not do what we wanted. The attitude is: either you are for us or you are against us!

Now flash forward 5 years, and another senseless event happens, and this time the Amish show how it really is to be done, not in word - but in deed. They see 5 girls murdered from their community. Instead of wanting vengeance, they give love, they embrace the family of the killer, they go to his funeral, they collect money and gifts for the man’s wife and family, they even open their doors to the man's family and extend the love and forgiveness to everyone involved. The families of the children that were injured are expected to have humongous hospital bills, but the Amish know they will be provided for as the needs arise. Without so much as a word, the other families of Amish worldwide start making and selling quilts at a record pace. Within days, millions of dollars are flooding their way to solve any medical issues that may occur. The Amish opened their hearts with love to the families and shown everyone what forgiveness is about. In turn the Universe is providing blessings beyond measure to the afflicted community.

This is a profound lesson of universal truth and magnitude that many governments, including this country could heed. The Amish destroyed the sword and have chosen to live by the plowshare; giving unconditional love to everyone they meet. Yet this government uses the sword to exact its vengeance. I wonder what would have happened if we had practiced the Amish principle of unconditional love and forgiveness at 911. And then I think, I already know what the result would have been. The Amish of Lancaster proved beyond any shadow of doubt what the result would have been.



See Article at: http://wjimmyjames.blogspot.com/2006/10/science-of-mind.html

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Jimmy, this idea is so simplistic that it truly amazes me - no lingering conflict - no vision of retaliation - none of the military approach and buildup of arms and walls and hatred. While I recognized the Amish response as an amazing act of faith, I didn't see it as a parallel response to the challenges of 9-1-1.

The idea is lighting a fire of hope and a goal within me to be equal to their example.

Gratefully,
Joie

http://fljoie.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to write such an eloquent perspective. The Amish are demonstrating they are living in Faith while the U.S. has demonstrated living in fear.
Namaste,
Bill C

Jim Wilkins said...

Joei, At 1st I did not see it either as a parallel response, but when it came down to the basics, then I saw hatred and fears in both events and then could see the relationships.

Bill, When I wrote this, the fires were burning within to speak out that the events were similiar in the to each other. I think this country, this administration has set a course based on fears, and used those fears to drive public opinion.

Ruby,
Yes, the Amish have set a a beautiful example of how we are to love unconditionally. It would be awesome if that idea would be like a wildfire and ignite the consciousness of mankind.