November/December 2001 Spirituality
Sacred Ground vs. The Ego
by Carol Shelly
Perhaps those in the middle of this conflict do not understand
the great sorrow, grief, anger, and helplessness we feel about what
they do to each other. Perhaps they do not understand that some
of us believe that "ONE MORE DEAD PERSON," [or 6,000]
solves nothing. Perhaps they do no understand that there are many
of us who feel the anguish of this never-ending nightmare. Even
if we are on the other side of the world, that does not mean we
are not connected to the events that take place over there. Perhaps
they do not know that some of us weep when we see the atrocities
broadcast on the evening news. Perhaps that they do not know that
some of us pray and ask for Divine Intervention every day so that
Peace may come to their land. Perhaps they do no know that the core
of our very being feels like it is being ripped apart when we see
the horrid events in our daily newspapers.
We wonder who is truly served by continuing this conflict. Do they
not know that any form of harm to any living being is not a Divine
manifestation; that a true Divine manifestation causes NO harm
whatsoever; that there is NO separation?
Who do they want paying more attention to them? Why must they keep
destroying things like a child who does not get his own way? Why
can't they grow up and stop this unnecessary violence? Because their
ego's are attached to an outcome! And that outcome has no self-discipline,
or limitations on their behavior to get what they want, no matter
the cost - even if it means another world war.
There I said it - what everyone in this world is afraid of - utter
and total destruction of life and this planet! Will they be finally
satisfied when there is no one left alive on this planet! If we
all end up dead, so does the ego! They are like a family member
that has gone mad and killed all the family members. No matter how
many people are killed, it will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER heal their pain.
The only way their pain will end is when they recognize all living
beings as a creation of a Divine source and begin to honor and treat
every living being as a divine creation.
It is only when they wake up to realize that much of the sacred
writings are not literal, they are metaphorical. The divine speaks
to us in metaphors, pictures, archetypes and shadows - very seldom
literally! The divine speaks to us in the language of the divine
because the divine sees it's creation (us) as divine! We must shift
our perspective of each other to the perspective of the divine and
see each other as divine creatures.
If you see your fellow human being as a divine creation, how can
you even think to kill? Any act of violence is not a divine act
- it is only the act of an ego with an agenda, one which may lead
to the ultimate destruction of humanity and this planet.
Picture all these warring factions in a room with a map of their
adjoining lands. Ask them this question: Can you please point out
to me what you consider sacred ground? We can imagine each one of
them coming up to the map on the wall and taking their turn to circle
one or more specific locations on the map. After they have selected
their locations it is our turn to indicate what we considered the
most sacred ground. Circling through the room we bow deeply before
each individual there, honoring him or her, saying, "Each one
of you is the sacred ground of divine creation, why do you not treat
each other as such?"
It is far past the time to end this madness. When will they realized
the sacred ground is not the dirt they walk upon - it is the human
beings they just murdered!
The Middle East [or New York, Washington or Pennsylvania] is not
the only place to ask this question. We must ask it of ourselves
daily in all of our interactions with each other. Just imagine -
we can have sacred ground experiences at all times if we choose
it. If you experience yourself and others as sacred ground, what
will that look like? Dare to dream the dream of peace and create
it everyday, in every opportunity that presents itself to you!
[Although this was submitted before 9/11 in response to recent
Middle East events, it is even more relevant now.]