By AbuBakr Karolia, South Africa
26 April 2009
Introduction – Current Events in the years 2008-2009, Gaza, Palestine
Recent events in Gaza, Palestine has brought to the attention of the world the human crises of the Palestinians and the results of the Israeli occupation since 1948.
Daily on the news, we heard of the deaths and injury of children and civilians and watched the atrocity of the war against them to an extent that it becomes unbearable to continue to hear and see the cries and plight of these helpless people. The story of David and Goliath was being played out again and we need to review whether the ‘sling shots’ or the rockets shot by some members of Hamas is having an effect on the defence of the Israelis.
A later report of the attack by the Israeli War Machine on Gaza and the Palestinian people was seen by many analysts as senseless and reckless. Information of this assault that was received from the Israeli soldiers was described as an onslaught that was not the engagement of the Israeli armed forces with the troops of Hamas that both ground forces were expecting; instead it was a horrific barrage of bombs that shook the earth to such an extent that it even threatened the Israeli ground forces a few kilometers away. They were instructed to move in the open due to the danger of buildings and bunkers collapsing on their own forces due to the intensity of the bombardment of bombs that was falling on Gaza and its people. This shocking act of the Israeli assault on the Palestinians in Gaza went on for days with no mercy or peace in sight – accept to destroy a people into submission without consideration for any civilians, soft targets or infrastructure.
The modern military force of the Israelis, funded and armed by the Western superpowers arrogantly mustered themselves to kill, maim and destroy the Palestinians and to weaken them so that they can be stronger and survive longer.
Many humanitarian organisations delivered aid against all odds so that the Palestinians in Gaza had a chance to survive this horrendous onslaught by the Israeli war machine. The death toll rose from 100 to 500 and beyond 1300 and thousands more were wounded. They were all mostly civilians.
Development, assistance and solutions
This cataclysm of destruction and the loss of life of the Palestinian people almost seem like a hopeless situation when one measures them with the odds, yet there are solutions.
From the offset I would like to say that however, difficult the problems that a nation or people or the whole of humanity may be facing it must be our priority and endeavour to solve these difficulties and problems quickly, wisely so that there will be lasting peace, prosperity and the development and health as a reality and a quality way of life or existence for all involved.
It is also not the purpose of this exposition to offend anyone and instead it offers a poignant and hopeful perspective so that everyone concerned can reflect and produce the desired results that will wean and walk through the problems for a dynamic, peaceful and appropriate solution for the benefit of all concerned.
It is a framework that offers a way forward to initiate a solution that I believe must be encouraged to succeed. I know that discussion must be ongoing and to find solutions can be difficult and demanding, however the optimist will endeavour to do the best for themselves and assist wherever they can. The grim realities of so many life conditions and issues that are challenging humankind in many parts of the World and because of these problems and tragedies, people are calling out for a new positive perspective as solutions for a better life for all of humanity.
I believe that there must be strategies for short, medium and long term solutions and there will be no overnight results.
Despite being all human beings, we refuse to accept that everyone must co-exist with each other irrespective of culture, creed or gender. This is easier said than done.
Food and medical aid are short term solutions. Despite this, even these basic human needs are denied to a people who suffer and await that humanity would give a helping hand. Simultaneously, to engage all the relevant parties, the media, politicians and everyone necessary to lobby to stop this horrendous onslaught against the Palestinians and to bring peace in the region is an essentiality that has never been fulfilled.
Now that the inherent violence has slowed down and almost stopped, the people of Gaza must be given assistance to rebuild their infrastructure so that people can get on with their lives.
Solutions from a timeless perspective
The medium and long term solutions are from a timeless perspective that ‘the condition of a people will not change unless they change what is in themselves’. This means in simple terms a transformation of the self and away from the ego and transcendence to a just, contented, compassionate and sincere human being of high intellect that relates to the enlightened, conscious and pure self. This is for each of the warring factions and all those who have associated interests in the region.
I would like to bring into perspective and briefly discuss why the basic nature of the self must be understood so that we understand the reasons why conflict occurs from ourselves and how to remedy this from ourselves; this is firstly at an individual level and thereafter at a collective level.
How can lessons be learnt from history?
The crisis that the Palestinians are facing and experiencing is not consequentially different from the various mixtures of events that historically occurred and continues to occur and from the choices which their own people, earlier generations and, especially, any leadership decided and adopted. These factors determined their own outcome.
The Middle East conflict is not limited geographically since it politically extends over humanity. We can read and analyse from history to ascertain the factors which determined their own destiny and regard such factors as the ignored conclusions that were to become the realities of the future. This has been repeatedly shown in the histories of nations.
It is important to focus on the specifics of a solution. It is my view that individuals, governments and those involved are looking elsewhere to solve this problem and yet the core issues for a solution are intrinsic in the nature of ourselves as a human race. When human beings realize that there is a problem, then they must discover from themselves as to what the solutions will be.
I believe everyone must understand that the solution and healing is from knowing the self as this is where we will discover that the lower ego that desires negative impulses must be converged to the higher pure self of righteousness so that solutions will be with justice and compassion for lasting peace.
Please consider general discussions on the dynamics and perspective towards a healed and just human being that can show the way towards the higher nature and peace on earth and the unity of humankind and the hopeful solving of the Palestinian/ Israeli problem.
Transformation from our ego and to act from our Higher Self as a solution
We acknowledge that we have desires and needs but we forget our higher objectives, and the purpose of the love and goodness within human beings. The reason that we were created is to transform ourselves to move away from our ego towards love, justice and peace with contentment and in perfection with every facet of excellence. We must look at the duality of the self and their workings and become aware of their realities so that we can heal ourselves. This is the beginning of awareness or consciousness of a human being who is now positioned for greater possibilities of perfection and solutions.
To begin with, we must recognise and keep in check the lower ego of arrogance, pride, anger, hatred and covetousness and etc. We must simultaneously be examples of trustworthiness, truthfulness, righteousness with sincerity and other noble virtues. Then only can we reflect just models of leadership in all walks of life. It is then only that we can appreciate human lives and peace. Indeed, transformation of the self is ‘a mercy to Humankind’.
The negative behaviour patterns of the lower self have been with us since time immemorial and continue to harass us from our own selves because we do not always look at the positive nature of the self – the enlightened, the conscious, which is the contented pure self that would be a genuine healing and form mechanisms for solutions to evils, enmity and disrespect. It is really the lower bestial and rampant allowance of our blaming egos that is so dangerous. It is even more dangerous when it becomes a collective ego.
How can being aware and conscious of our various self help?
In order not to be caught in the trap of the lower ego, people have to be re-educated to begin a “consciousness of the self” to know the difference between the lower ego and the contented and higher self. These dualities of the self are both essential aspects of the self. One must stop the lower ego from overtaking the pure higher self that creates a solution as an exemplary human being who is caring and serving – all for the love of the Creator. This is a step by step process of removing the veils of hatred, meanness, greed and injustice that will bring generosity, modesty, courage, and wisdom with justice and compassion with sincerity, trustworthiness and truthfulness. We cannot deny the reality that the message of the Creator and His demands are not universally accepted, and thus, the battle within ideological differences would not be eliminated.
Our individual consciousness must transform us towards a collective consciousness and this is usually much tougher and requires good teachings, coaching and leadership. Therefore, a preferred concentration of teaching techniques and curriculum development for the training of the self needs to be seriously considered as an essentiality to life which will be familiar so that this collective transformation has a chance to succeed.
We have to enjoin actions of righteousness, truth, justice and peace for all humanity. When this transformative process and behaviour is in place with a heightened intelligence of refined courtesy then one can practice patience more easily and without hindrance. We have to unitedly and individually assist in all socio-economic development programs worldwide to eradicate poverty, disease and ignorance.
In the mean time we must find such teachers and teachings that direct the individual to this type of education. We need to deal with all endeavours and undertakings with a sense of excellence, goodwill, just behaviour and good character at all times and especially when these good values are against the lower bestial and blaming self.
At this point it may be appropriate to mention that this path of transformation must be continuous and humanity must be vigilant in excellence, mindfulness and perfecting the self towards the conscious and contented, pure self, with training, refined courtesy, the best behaviour and character and humbleness as when we take our eye away from the lower self we can revert back to the ways of hypocrisy, arrogance and negative character inclinations.
This process will be defined as a lifestyle, governed by its own laws, systems and ideas that will be progressed by the higher nature of human kind by knowing its lower entities for the best judgment to ensure the welfare of the individual and the collective development, well-being and general health of humanity with justice and ensuring lasting peace with compassion and sincerity.
In other words, what sounds like a weak solution ultimately is the strongest one. Such enlightened and transformed persons will attract the blessings of the Creator which will bring victory for humankind and justice and provide global peace that has been so elusive in many parts of the World.
Evil will not disappear, but the reality of this higher consciousness will progress the noble virtues and qualities for the general good of humankind because of the wide-ranging re-education and the way of life that gives hope for everyone’s growth and health so that a collective transformation will manifest and evil will be constantly curtailed from ourselves.
Perfected people as leaders in History
Looking, through history it is interesting to find that such people have achieved this consciousness and helped their communities to prosper from the wisdoms that were transformative. To mention a few of these people is to speak about their success and understanding of their own consciousness and their subsequent delivery for themselves and their people. Names as Confucius, Buddha, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed come to mind (may peace be upon them all). It is noteworthy to mention that many historians[1], scientist and anthropologist found the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him), as the most influential person in history who successfully assisted in transforming the individual, society and nation in Arabia during the early 7th Century C.E. His message and way of life made a far reaching transformative impact on the World and Civilisation.
Keeping in mind that these were great people and they recognised the necessary path required for their own salvation – it is also important to understand that the essence of the nature of the self is the same for all human beings. Obviously, each human being is unique and to repeat what these great people achieved cannot be compared to any other period of history, yet we have the same capacity and potential today and it is the same essence of the nature of self to achieve this success of transformation towards the higher self for ourselves and humanity in the 21st Century.
Knowledge of the background and circumstance, to find a solution
In the context of the present crises, having more knowledge of who the Israelis and the Palestinians are from the Torah, Bible, Talmud and Qur’an and other sources would enable concerned parties to place better strategies into place. It would help us to discover the lower nature of the oppressors and the arrogance of those who perpetrate violence and create disorder. History sheds light as to why this conflict is a centre to world politics. Biblical and Qur’anic texts discuss events that brought the Israelis into Palestine. What are the claims of the diverse racial and religious factions? Who is entitled to the land and does entitlement justify war against a helpless people or civilians? Can we condone the immorality of occupation and the injustices of one nation against another or the violence against each other or the necessary defence for the sacredness of life and the survival of a nation and humanity.
It would mean that the global picture of the geo-political dynamics and the culture of the behaviour of the various people must be studied. It is imperative to seriously consider the follies of the various leadership institutions in the area and elsewhere in the world. This would include the Islamic Caliphate, and its demise in 1924, the founding reasons for the state of Israel as well as the involvement of the imperialistic powers as France, Britain, and Russia and later the USA. How has the discovery of oil, altered political strategies and economic decisions in the Middle-East and especially in relationship to World development and dominance by the super powers?
Such a study should be taken up by people who are mustering themselves for truth and good character. They must pass on the necessary and relevant information for the benefit of peace and justice. They need to sincerely assist with the re-education and renewal of the individual, societies and humanity at large.
People must not only be aware of the history and processes of conflict and violence in this part of the world since they must become representatives of all struggles against oppression and injustice elsewhere as well.
Mindfulness and watchfulness
Having mentioned and forewarned that humanity must not take their eye off the lower self, similarly we must be vigilant in the world to serve humankind and in our endeavours to do our best, perfecting and with excellence, improve ourselves in all the branches of learning, knowledge and ethics because if we do not keep up in the World – by the ‘token of time’ we will fall into ruin.
We must do well in our own transformation from the lower self to the higher pure self as well as to utilise this wisdom capably and skillfully in the World by serving and assisting each other with the best righteous actions and deeds for individual and collective development and growth in all aspects and fields of life. Whilst we are educating and transforming ourselves we must aspire towards the good and excellence in the world as a benefit for our growth and well-being, always with humbleness and sincerity.
Raising the standards – The constant effort for learning, perfection and righteous actions
Changing and raising the standards and conditions of people demands greater knowledge of all the sciences and arts especially current affairs. Contemporary focus, correct action, positive responsiveness and affective decisions must be established towards solving the affects of global warming, sustainable development, political science and governance. Righteous leadership in history has set precedents for us but we have failed to learn the lessons of history. Holistic medicine and other effective and proven natural medications have for too long been ignored in our capitalistic societies.
An important word regarding the well being of the world and its ecosystem have to be considered. During our quest to achieve excellence with a heightened intellect is to achieve success herein as well as in our spirituality and transformation. By being involved in learning and the refinement of the self will assist humanity to maximise the potential of the self and the treasures of the world to its best and responsible capacity to improve the condition and quality of life as an example and for the survival of the world and humankind and all creation. To do well in the nature of knowledge – the epistemology and its uses and courtesies will bring forth the best scope for success for the unity of humankind by establishing systems and methodology for change that will enhance the best potential of the higher and pure self.
Raising the standards are only general perspectives as we have to look deeper into how we are to govern the World by our higher entities and qualities as they are serious warnings creeping up as global warming, the shortage of water and therefore the shortage of food and many other issues that requires our attention and study, which then raises certain realities that humanity must consider for our survival.
The sooner we awake to our to own negativity and lower ego the sooner we will relate to and appreciate the higher aspect of our selves so that we will govern the World Justly with all the noble Virtues that will assist us to make our lives more enriching, meaningful and happier.
Broader perspectives as solutions and looking even deeper at ourselves
Every person has to be especially cautious in not supporting tyrannical or arrogant leadership and corrupt lobby groups. Economic justice and equity must prevail in society. All these issues necessitate that we gather the support of humanity to ensure goodwill and a measure of defence for peace at all times and to never overstep the boundaries.
Warfare strategy and tactics and its history must be re-analyzed so that world leaders and governments learn and understand how to deal with the lower nature of people from the strength of their higher inner pure selves to ensure peace and harmony. This will be true compassion and peace for humankind. Serious considerations must be addressed by humankind as to the reasons war and violence occur and the necessary behaviour to curtail this unnecessary misconduct.
Public relations and Media
Presenting and defending our case of justice with peace in an articulate manner with clarity at all levels should not be neglected, especially in the media. I reiterate and I cannot emphasise adequately that we always have to be on guard against our lower nature. We must outwit the lower self from the higher conscious self. We have to heal ourselves by our self from our self.
Training people in all the fields of knowledge has not necessarily improved standards of good behaviour. Human accomplishments have served us in many ways but have also harmed us because we have pursued these undertakings from our negative intentions and inclination.
We are not taking the pure nectar of our productions to preserve only the truth and righteousness. Our endeavours must serve humanity to cleanse and heal the self for peace and contentment to prevail. In a manner to advance our progress, it is essential to enjoin what is righteous and forbid what is evil so that we set a standard for an enlightened and an enhanced future for all humanity. This view is not only the pursuit of excellence but it is the quest for happiness as well.
The best potentials and best behavior as solutions for the ills of humanity
We are all duty bound to be just soldiers, compassionate husbands, articulate and fair journalists or media persons, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, fair minded business persons, women and men who educate the children and nation. Serving others must be an inherent attribute. Politicians must serve people and be humble, trustworthy, truthful and sincere. Religious scholars and leaders must strive to instill, educate and serve humanity with higher teachings, and be examples of good ethics, morality and character.
The more people that practice good behaviour, more morals and higher levels of humanity or spiritual lives, then only will we hopefully witness change and positive results in our selves. Only then will evil not be given a chance to prevail.
Goodness in a Universal atmosphere
As illustrated during Eid or Christmas or Diwali, the atmosphere of the entire world changes and moods of people are happier due to the charity, goodness and joy of people. This type of behaviour must be practiced enduringly and with everyone. The more that you accomplish, the more you achieve for yourselves. Humbleness must appear with sincerity and good character.
You should remember to approach others with empty cups so that their goodness can always fill your being with some learning or level of goodness. Thus it is important that we spend our time with people that imbibe these righteous wisdoms and values. Such behaviour must show from the cradle to the grave – always perfecting, hoping and doing one’s utmost without arrogance, anger, greed, selfishness or covetousness so that it becomes permanent in our current character and conduct.
Collective behaviour – consciousness, awareness and/or ego – Past, present and future
We need to be careful of the lower nature of the inner selves of each other since within it lays the problems and spiritual sickness. The higher self is a solution since it represents a healing from evil that is also within. We often perceive this duality of the self but ignore to uplift our lower selves towards our pure souls. Thus, the solution for peace and justice is not far off. It is as closer to us than our jugular veins.
A final point to consider and reflect upon is if the collective behaviour and larger worldwide ego supports the oppressor that has gross bestial tendencies, then the world will necessarily be agitated by this negative atmosphere, and it will require an equally large enlightened and pure consciousness to overcome this international negative comprehension of the Middle East and elsewhere. This is the difficulty and the problem of our time.
Thus an oppressor as the Israelis who have occupied and overwhelmed the Palestinians in 1948 by the support and assistance of the superpowers as England, France and the USA because they were in slumber and forgot about perfecting themselves throughout time. They had failed to have the most affective and enlightened leadership. They thus did not endeavour or struggle for perfection in every aspect of life. The Muslim World and Palestinians have only themselves to reproach because they have allowed the negative lower ego of imperialistic and evil predisposition of the Israelis and the Western Superpowers for their own end to take over their lands due to their own historical apathy and ego.
They were being dangerously comfortable and not accounting for the erosion of their own inner beings nor watchful of other egos just like the Israeli who were hatching their own political and imperialistic plans to take over “lost sheep for slaughter”. Similarly, the Israelis will also have themselves to blame if they themselves do not appreciate the nature of the self to change their own condition for the benefit of everyone towards peace and justice. They should know from their own encounter during World War 2 that history has shown that providence has never been kind to arrogant oppressors. Thus the lessons from history are that the sooner they change their own condition of arrogance, deceit, and power mongering, the sooner would they save themselves from destruction.
Concluding thoughts -Taking responsibility as a solution
Nothing has to be lost for any person as the first level of awareness occurs when the individual takes responsibility of their own folly, arrogance and mistakes and return towards their own salvation by bringing the lower ego towards the pure perfected self. This wakefulness is the beginning of transformation and now the effort must be addressed towards the practise and transcendence as a higher being that must be enlightened and just – who always works towards peace and security and the well-being and happiness of humanity and themselves.
Meanwhile the Palestinians and the Israeli will continue their fight but the greater struggle for each of them is the fight against the lower self or bestial and blaming qualities. The fight will not end without such purification. And when the Israelis oppress the Palestinians – they the Palestinians have to fight to defend themselves against a greater ego with justice and fairness so that they must transform themselves to be examples of righteous human beings wholeheartedly and in every endeavour who will always transcend towards peace and victory ultimately.
Hence, a great deal of work is required to re-educate everyone to see the bigger picture and understand what the Palestinians are up against. It is also the responsibility of humanity to muster their enlightened defense against this large negative ego that can devastate the world due to their violence, greed and arrogance.
Acting from awareness as the ultimate solution
When we understand the duality of the self and especially the lower negative self we need to progress our transformation by struggling against ourselves to move towards our enlightened and contented self and towards justice and peace on this Earth.
The catastrophe that is occurring in Palestine is surely an inditement on the behaviour and conduct of humanity as a whole because we have not understood the reasons why injustices prevail in this part of the World as in other parts and by doing so little about our re-education on transformation of the Lower self and therefore the course towards fairplay or Justice is totally out of sight.
Until we individually and collectively understand our innate nature in the dynamics of life and realities in this part of the World and elsewhere, things will only get worse before it gets better due to fact that everyone is looking elsewhere for the solution and not from the pointed fingers of the higher self to the lower self as the crux of this exposition and our problem.
However, on careful consideration of the various issues this question of the Palestinians and the Israelis can be solved by themselves and Humanity must urgently assist by working and moving for solutions from the higher awareness and consciousness of the self, to become vibrant, just, sincere and imbibing all the Noble Virtues as satisfied Human Beings who can contain their lower ego for the protection of the entire planet and all its creation.
To err is human and to seek forgiveness is divine. Let us use this as the beginning of our own perfection. We must not be arrogant and ignorant. Let’s move towards our enlightened inner destiny that is already within reach. We must know and catch the dark lower self so that we learn to move from ourselves, by ourselves, towards our pure contented self of a Higher Human Being.
This consciousness and awareness leads us as Human Beings to the Glory of God who is the Creator of all that is the Heavens and the Earth. He is The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. May we make the correct choices for our wakefulness, health and well-being. May He give us Success.
AbuBakr Karolia, South Africa
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_100