Amma ~ “War is the product of uncivilized minds.”

[Guest guest]

Taking this example from Nature, countries and their leaders should

abandon their old notions and ideas regarding war. It is time to end

the cruelty and ruthlessness man has shown in the name of war. War is

the product of uncivilized minds. These thought patterns need to fall

away and be replaced by the new leaves, blossoms and fruit of

compassion and beauty. Gradually, we can destroy the inner demon - the

'desire for war' - which is a curse upon both humanity and Nature. We

can then enter a new era of peace and happiness.

 

Compassion is the foundation of peace. Compassion resides within

everyone. But it is difficult to experience it and express it in all

of our actions. We must turn inwards to search deep within ourselves.

" Is my heart still vibrant with life? Can I still experience the

source of love and compassion within me? Does my heart still melt at

the pain and sorrow of others? Have I cried along with those who are

suffering? Have I really tried to wipe another's tears to console them

or given someone at least a single meal or a set of clothing? " Like

this, we can honestly introspect. Then the soothing moonlight of

compassion " will spontaneously shine within our minds.

 

If we want to bring peace to the external world, first our inner world

needs to be at peace. Peace is not an intellectual resolve. It is an

experience.

 

Compassion and congeniality makes a leader truly courageous. Anyone

who has wealth, weaponry and the know-how can wage a war. But no one

can defeat the power of love and heartfelt oneness.

If only our minds, eyes, ears and hands could genuinely understand and

feel the sorrow and pain of others! How many suicides could have been

avoided? How many people could have received food, clothing and

shelter? How many children could have been kept from becoming orphans?

How many women who sell their bodies for a living could have been

helped? How many sick people suffering from unbearable pain could have

been provided medicine and treatment? How many conflicts in the name

of money, fame and position could have been avoided?

 

The first step in developing compassion is to treat all objects we

regard as inanimate ~ such as stones, sand, rocks and wood ~ with love

and respect. If we can feel love and sympathy towards inanimate

objects, it becomes easier to develop love and compassion towards

trees, vines, birds, animals, the life in oceans, rivers, mountains

and all the rest of Nature. If we can reach this state, then we will

automatically have compassion towards all of mankind.

 

Shouldn't we give thanks to the chair and rocks, which provide us a

place to sit and rest? Shouldn't we express our gratitude to Mother

Earth, who patiently provides her lap for us to run, jump and play

upon? Shouldn't we be grateful to the birds that sing for us, the

flowers that blossom for us, the trees that provide us with shade and

the rivers that flow for us?

 

Each dawn, we are greeted with a new sunrise. At night when we forget

everything and sleep, anything could happen to us, even death. Do we

ever thank the Great Power that blesses us to wake up the next morning

and function just as before without anything having happened to our

body or mind? If we look at it in this way, shouldn't we be grateful

to everyone and everything? Only compassionate people are able to

express gratitude. ~ From Matruvani Nov 2008