John Lennon by Michael Stillwell

Presidents, Pontiffs And Zealots Won't Do -
Looking Towards The Spiritually Gifted For Guidance

by Michael J. Stillwell /VisionaryExpressions.com

The recent terrorist attacks on Americans have been, to say the least, sad and unsettling. In times of crisis I find that it is important to look to real leaders for help and guidance. When I look for a true "leader" I rarely turn to politicians. After all, political decisions are often guided by power, money and greed - the very things that get us in trouble to begin with. Sadly, I feel that religious leaders today are led by the same skewed motives. That is why I go directly to the source, the real leaders, our spiritual masters.

Spiritually gifted people have a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to pass on to us. They are people who offer the best guidance, based solely on important things such as peace and love. They share several sacred common denominators, like compassion and understanding. They are wise and never vengeful. Their common goal is simple, a better life for all of creation. Although there are some wonderful people who fit this criteria, based on my life experience, I look to Jesus Christ and John Lennon for help.

As I watched in horror as the World Trade Center tumbled, I remembered that it is at times like this that you need to ask these leaders of your soul, "what would you do?" As I wrestled with the emotions of sadness, despair, anger and revenge, I recalled that Jesus once said, "turn the other cheek." At first blush turning the other cheek may sound like a cowardly thing to do. Passively taking abuse and punishment, never fighting back, goes against the grain of our powerful egos. But it is in having the conviction of character to turn the other cheek is where our true strength lie. Stemming the rising tide of perpetuating violence and aggression takes the spiritual soundness of a saint. I believe we can all aspire to be saints.

I know from my own experience what the sharp sting of man's wrath feels like. I was slapped in the face once, quite hard in fact, but I turned the other cheek, and I never looked back. While minding my own business I was shot in the back by strangers, and left for dead. At this moment I felt pure panic and fear, as well as excruciating pain. Although my physical recovery was relatively quick, my mental recovery continues to this day (nearly a decade later). I made a crucial decision after I was shot, I decided not to arm myself to the teeth in defense of an enemy I never knew (as I was quick to learn, an enemy you never know, or see, is everyone on the planet). Living in constant fear is an unhealthy way to live. Instead of choosing a life of violence, revenge, aggression and paranoia, I decided it was in my best interest, and the best interest of those around me, to better myself instead. I consciously began a journey of awareness. I knew that by never hurting anything, or anyone, my life would be more productive. I don't want to be at war with the world. If I can at least have peace within myself the world would someday follow. I now understand that true character emanates from the hearts and souls of those who state emphatically, "the vicious cycle of violence stops here."

When someone is slapped in the face, as we Americans have been by these ruthless cowards, the impulsive thing to do is slap right back. We know how easy it is to simply act impulsively. When I feel the urge to surrender to these powerful thoughts, I remember it was John Lennon who I heard say, "violence begets violence." John also said, "all we need is love," and "give peace a chance." Sadly, many people feel that these concepts are out of date. I for one can't wait for the day when people are sick and tired of aggression, male ego, and violence.

In his song Imagine, John Lennon, rather optimistically stated, "the world will live as one." How can a world, in which thousands of people were killed by fanatics, who apparently don't want world peace, live as one? The fact that humans have viewed the world as a giant game of chess is the heart of the problem. We view God's most precious creation, mother earth, as a huge monopoly board, in which owning money, land, and it's precious resources dictate our actions. In fact, ownership of God is a highly combustible issue. Since this is the case, the rest of Mr. Lennon's words speak volumes, "nothing to kill or die for," "no greed or hunger," a "brotherhood of man." How many wars, or acts of terror, must we endure until we all understand these simple phrases that are so obvious and right?

I don't believe God was there for the horrible attack on New York City. As I viewed the carnage, the air felt positively "Godless" and empty. As prayers poured in, by and for the innocent, that emptiness seemed to dissipate. In fact, later that afternoon, as I went through the park near my home, I did feel God's presence again. There in the park, the birds were flying freely amid the rays of bright sunlight. There, the rabbits sprinted through the grass, and butterflies carelessly floated by. No loud bombs went off. No screams shattered the calm. Just the gentle hum of the insects, and the whistle of the cool breeze, was all that could be heard. Yes, God is in the details.

Both Jesus and John Lennon died untimely, violent deaths. They both shared a solution for peace on this planet. It is times like these that we must turn to people like this. They are spiritual messengers who died with the the full conviction of their message; our real power is peace and love. Let us bear in mind that we are at war yet again with people from a land we have no business being involved with. If a lesson can be learned from our misguided global economic politics it might be, that you can only poke a hornet's nest with a stick for so long. No matter how long the stick, eventually you get stung. It is apparent our political and religious leaders, the pokers of the nest, do not have the insight our "true" leaders have. Therefore, presidents, pontiffs and zealots won't do.

We all need a little help to get through this crisis. After all, we are just average people who can get lost and confused in our fear and anger. We need to look toward the spiritually gifted to lead us to the place where we belong. A conscientious society where peace is a long term proposition. Let's remember that prior to the devastating attacks on Manhattan we had begun to focus on the health of the planet and its' "other" occupants. Now the spotlight has been placed squarely on us humans again. We require so much attention, and we behave so poorly, not quite the image of God, just yet.

God bless those people who tried to rescue others in New York and across the country. These individuals, and those who gave their time and money certainly have the strength and character of true saints. Let's pray for those who were lost and those who are injured. Let us pray that we finally learn from our spiritual leaders, and not let another innocent being be hurt again. Let us pray for peace, love and understanding on this beautiful planet. Imagine, giving peace a chance. Amen.

Michael Stillwell is an author and artist from Great River, NY, and the creator of http://www.visionaryexpressions.com, an on-line greeting card store that features his artwork and writing.


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