100,000 Australian rallied for an end to conflicts in the middle east, over the weekend. Across the Sydney Harbor Bridge they walked, to share a message of passion against both violence and human suffering. I wonder if we can channel this passion into a more permanent movement of people who believe humanity can grow beyond wars, and beyond the related suffering?
Beyond political, religious, or cultural differences, surely most of us wish for very similar things. Outside of the echo-chambers of social media and the sculptured narratives of fiction and screen, can we make real vibrant spaces that can manifest our enthusiasm for peace and for each-other?
I have envisioned perpetual stages or platforms for our communities. There, like the eternal flames used in other ceremonial events, we can share a space to cherish our dream of establishing peace. When peace is achieved, we can keep the stage going as a celebration of our achievement and to cultivate the best in our shared dreams for tomorrow.
When I say perpetual stage, I mean it literally. Once we start, we commit to it being a 24 hour a day, and 7 day per week, affair. If the pancake kitchen can do it, won’t we find a way for something so valuable and dear to our hearts? We could there showcase many ways to uplift each other and remember how we can bring to mind the benefits and joy of peaceful times.
It’s hard to please everyone, so there could be a wide variety of styles and energies featured. It could include all manner of music, spoken word, comedy, and even plays. In celebrating the best of our cultural richness, we may discover a wide range of new growth and ways to encourage development for our human life.
I hope it can be a place free from politics, advertising, religious division, and protest. These are all major forces in our world currently, and they can be seen in many other spaces. Yet, if humanity could share even one perpetual space where we genuinely, and purely, uplift each other, it would adorn the whole world with a kind of glory.
It needn’t be too large, however it could have an audience. With our current technology, it could have global reach online as an encouraging and motivating icon that anyone could engage with as they please. If it works well, other communities may be willing to arrange their own in the same spirit. If we can value the best in each other, and showcase our shared intentions, no copyright or license can contain such a power.
The scariest thought may be that we help each other to succeed, and suddenly all conflicts end. However, we can’t fear success or delay by sabotaging our potential improvement. When the wars end, might we then inspire each other towards other dreams also? We have much to embark upon and many great goals to achieve together. We might eventually shift our focus to healing the natural systems of the Earth or developing social or technological goals. If we can hold a positive direction together, whatever it may eventually prove to be, we will surely have great momentum and improved resilience in resisting conflict.
Then, somewhere out into the Earth’s spiraling future, the stage that our generation establishes will still be going strong. Out into the galaxy and future generations, the struggles of our times and history can find a kind of nobility. As lamentable as human suffering is, it then could be a testament for lives ahead that we can find a better way together. Through forgiveness and willingness to turn the page on history, our time can demonstrate the difference that a change of heart and mind can make upon the material world. It is my sincere hope for us, and in faith I know that we can do it for each other no and for all of the children of future times.
The Beatles – Let It Be
War – Why Can’t We Be Friends
Tristan James Johns 