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Global PeaceWorks | |
peace among religions is the key to world peace |
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A Global PeaceWorks Journal10th December:Today we are a bit relaxed. We do not have to go to the worksite. It is a holiday from work. But what lay in store for us today was a lot of working on our individual selves. We spent part of the morning in re-doing our schedule and taking suggestions from everybody, what each one thought of the programme so far and what we would like to see further included in the programme. After this exercise, Fazida asked us to pick one thing from nature and bring it with us to the lawn where our next session would take place. Each one of us picked up something. We played a little game. We formed two straight queues facing each other. Each one of us had to change one thing about our physical appearance in the first round and had to guess what our partner had changed. In round 2, we had to change two things. In round 3, three things had to be changed. It was a test of accurate observation. As we closed the exercise, Fazida said, “this was only about changing physical things, what would happen if we had to change our own behaviors and natures?” After this warm-up exercise, we sat down in a big circle. Fazida announced the next set of directions. We had to break up into our respective groups (the 3 groups made in the beginning). In our small groups, one person had to appreciate another from the group and say how that person made a difference to him. Then, that person hands over the thing which he has picked up from nature and gives it to the person appreciated. The person who is appreciated says ‘thank you’ and then appreciates someone else. This process continues till each one in the group has said something and has been appreciated. As we were about to begin, Eric announced that Mazher Ahmed, one of the trustees of Global Peace Works is here and we need to listen to her. Mazher spoke of her experiences. She had migrated to United States in the early 1970’s. She spoke of her relations with her Christian neighbor Marsha who once volunteered to take care of their house and continue with their set practice of offering the house for Friday prayers to the Muslim community in the neighborhood while the Ahmed’s were away for a visit to India. One of the crucial statements which Mazher Ahmad made was, “We have a choice between good memories and bad memories.” I felt this was a very important statement, for two reasons. One, it fundamentally spoke of memories. A lot of our anger and conflict is based on memories. Secondly, and again fundamentally, the statement was about choice – I choose to retain either good memories or bad memories or both. Conflicts which are a product of historical wrongs are precisely about this choice – to let go off bad memories and create space for a future. In my mind, even in our own families, we have a choice to deal with the bad memories, let go off them and therefore the scorns, and create the opportunity for happiness to enter our lives. After Mazher Ahmed went away, my group sat down and we went ahead with the appreciation exercise. In my group, each one of us spoke. Erica began with Umberto, how she felt Umberto had made a difference to her. Umberto spoke of how he felt that Titus was his brother and that Titus made a difference to him. Titus spoke of Piya and Piya mentioned how he wanted to give his gift of a flower to Erica because she was the future, the hope that this world has and thrives on. Subba appreciated me and I spoke of how Roshan’s words had made a difference to me. That moment in the group was very strong. Fazida stepped in said, “Let us lift our spirits higher. Let us look into each other’s eyes for a moment. Let us switch and form pairs so that each one of us has the chance to look into each others’ eyes.” As we looked into each other’s eyes, tears rolled. Different feelings crept in and made their way out. It was a very sublime and yet, a very powerful moment. We then went through a debriefing session where we spoke of what we went through in the time when we looked into each other’s eyes. Umberto apologized to Subba for the historical wrongs which white people have committed over dark-skinned people. Erica and me spoke of our family experiences. Towards the end, we held hands and prayed. After a short break, all of us came back. We sat down and began an exercise on interaction styles. The purpose behind doing this exercise was that when people come together, there is some friction and misunderstanding. One way of working together is to understand our own and everyone else’s interaction styles, both in good times and in times of stress and pressure. This helps to understand the composition of the group, appreciate each other’s style, and balance the needs of the group. After this exercise, we went for lunch and then set out to visit some religious sites in Old Delhi. We first went to a church and got a background history of the church. Then we went to the Gurudwara and had an experience of being in a community prayer service. We then proceeded to a mosque where we offered prayers and spoke to the Imam of the mosque who answered our queries about Islam. After this, we went to do our favorite activity – shopping! Each one of us went into our own splurge! And we indulged! After the indulging (I mean shopping), we went to the Jama Masjid. We then went to indulge in a different kind of activity – eating! This time, and this was the first time in all these days, that all of us sat for a non-vegetarian meal. We ate at Karim’s, a restaurant famous for its grilled food. As kababs, grilled chicken and biryani poured in, we felt a way to heaven through food! On returning to the center, we snuggled into our blankets and made way for another long day tomorrow. (I said grace that night, after a long time. This was for the food which Providence had ‘designed’ for us!) Reflections from my diary for 10th December: Today was a powerful day. The exercises in the morning made me realize that the primary responsibility that I have towards myself is the commitment to look into myself, be aware of what lies inside me, empty myself from time to time, and change myself. I cannot make any change in the world unless I do not change myself. I cannot be a revolutionary and claim to change the world when a lot lies inside me. I felt so good today. I almost felt that an empty space was created inside me. I would not call it vacuum because vacuum is negative. I can only call it emptiness. When I hugged Fazida today while looking into her eyes, I felt like some of my history of conflict with my family was going away and I could not hold it. I did not want to hold it. I was watching it go and a feeling of mirth crept inside me. Sometimes things can be so simple. But then, it is the simple things which are difficult. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring with it for me. But I can be open to receive it. |
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