Yesterday,
I posted on this topic to my Facebook page. (A slightly edited version of that post is reproduced at the
end of this blogpost.) Shortly after that posting, the news came out about
Special Prosecutor RobertMueller’s grand jury indictment of 12 Russian agents for hacking into
Clinton campaign and DNC email accounts.
Now,
I hold Robert Mueller in high regard and consider him to be an eminently,
almost religiously, fair and honest truth seeker. Nevertheless, no matter where
this legal process ends up, the underlying message I was trying to convey in my
Facebook post still stands.
There
are always many sides to any story and much more than meets the eye. It is
critical in these turbulent, rapidly changing times of chaotic breakdown and creative
breakthrough to:
- Not rush to judgement
- Be open to new perspectives and deeper truths
- Not pose enemies or dehumanize perceived adversaries, even as we take steps to protect ourselves from the meddling of others in our own affairs
- Be honest about our own role in creating and perpetuating adversarial relationships – with Russia and others, as well (after all, we have our own history of spy craft and dirty tricks, even to the extent of destabilizing and overthrowing democratically elected governments)
- Realize that probably one of the most damaging and war-perpetuating slogans that we spout all too often without realizing the implications is, "The best defense is a good offense."
These
are key principles to keep in mind and make part of our personal practice for
building lasting peace. In doing so, we can be inspired by the 13th
century Persian poet, Jalaluddin Rumi,
when he wrote:
Out beyond ideas of wrong doing
and right doing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
and right doing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”
doesn't make any sense.
doesn't make any sense.
So,
here’s that version of yesterday’s Facebook post:
Thisarticle about so-called Russian meddling is a lesson that we should take
everything we read about in the media or hear from the government with more
than a few grains of salt, at least a tablespoonful. Always keep an open mind
for various sides of the story and hidden agendas. Even this one.
And remember the immortal, sage words
of that great Yogi philosopher: “It ain’t over till it’s over!” So, although
the swamp is still there and growing muckier by the tweet, and while things
will likely get worse before they get better, just remember: “No mud, no
lotus.”
By the way, I Googled and found a
Media Bias / Fact Check review, which rates the
source of the article, Consortium News, in the Least Biased category and High
in Factual Reporting.
Mika, I commend you putting energy into sharing your point of view and delving beyond the surface in the search for truth. I agree that these are confusing times and it’s easy to join one side or the other of the greatly polarized debate. I’m certainly willing to look at my news sources and admit to their bias. I’m also seeking alternative points of you. Are you still planning to visit Russia this fall? If so I welcome your report when you return.
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