Transforming Trauma into Peace
Lessons from September 11
Updated 06 Jun 2003
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Transforming Trauma into Peace Lessons from September 11 Updated 06 Jun 2003 |
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Lama
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The events of September 11, 2001, have often been termed a “wake-up call.” But one year later, are we really more awake? Do we see the world or ourselves any more clearly? Or have we returned to business as usual? How well have we actually responded, as individuals and as a nation, to that terrible day? I hear plenty of talk from our nation’s leaders about compassion, service, love and “good vs. evil.” But to me, the sound bites seem weak and insincere, because I see scant evidence that the major enterprises of our society—big business, government, media, the military, education—have changed or are striving to transform in fundamental, meaningful ways. Many people, especially those of us on the East Coast, are still reeling emotionally from the trauma of the events of September 11. Too frequently, the common “advice” we hear for dealing with our feelings of loss, grief and pain falls short of really helping. Retaliation, revenge and anger, while they might seem initially satisfying, are not the answers. Neither are despair and helplessness. But there is a middle-way approach, in which suffering can be transformed into understanding, compassion, wisdom and even peace. And it’s something we can all do, no matter who we are, where we live or what we believe. The Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan people in exile, often says that the enemy and the adversary can be our greatest teacher. How about that for a revolutionary concept! What he’s saying is that without difficulties and problems, we cannot really grow in inner strength, patience and vision. I call this the “Pearl Principle”: no irritation, no pearl. And by extension, the bigger the irritation (or suffering or pain), the bigger the pearl, or the eventual “reward.” Like all difficult events, September 11 can be viewed as a rare and terrible gift in our hands: an enormous potential “pearl.” I believe that it’s important for us as individuals, as a nation and as a world not to squander this important opportunity, but instead to use it as a path toward greater peace and happiness. Beginning is easy: pausing to think, and asking the tough questions that come to mind. But then we must be willing to face the answers—at any cost. As a nation, we could ask: How has America’s role in the world over the past few decades contributed to the problems we face today? What responsibility do we each have in shaping our country’s policies? Why do some people in the world hate us? As individuals, we might ask ourselves: How does my anger affect the people around me? What does it accomplish? Why do I hate certain people or ideas? Does it matter, in a larger sense, whether I feel anger or love? I firmly believe that deep down, everyone truly wants peaceful coexistence in this world in our lifetime. But we must first learn how to deal with anger and hatred in ourselves, to soften and disarm our own hearts, before we can effectively work to resolve conflicts and create peace with others. By using adversaries as teachers, we can learn that there are other ways to see and be in the world beyond our own closely held ideas. We might lose a little of our arrogance, becoming more sensitized and even empathetic toward the wishes and needs of others. We might even appreciate the power of nonviolence. Unfortunately, many people equate nonviolence with wimpiness or passivity or just rolling over and letting “them” walk all over you. In fact, adopting a truly nonviolent perspective takes enormous effort, diligence and guts, and it can lead to powerful action and activism. Look at what Mahatma Gandhi accomplished, without a trace of violence or anger. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was greatly inspired and influenced by Gandhi, said that we have only two choices today: to coexist peacefully, or to destroy ourselves. It is in our higher self-interest to pull together, if we don’t want to be pulled apart. As we face another September 11 date, let’s not allow this important opportunity slip away. By facing reality squarely and looking deeply for answers, we can transform our horror and grief into the pearl of a more peaceful future for all of us.
Related writings: His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Message to commemorate the first anniversary of September 11 His Holiness the Dalai Lama's September 2001 Letter to the President of the United States Disarming the Heart - Lama Surya Das shortly after September 11, 2001 Lama Surya's similar article on Beliefnet
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Page Version: 06 Jun 2003 05:32
