by Francisco “Pancho” Ramos Stierle

Globalization, if done properly and with understanding, would not be one cultural group imposing their lifestyle on all others, but instead we might learn how to share space and resources with each other, in the midst of the magnificent biodiversity in which we live. Globalization has nothing to do with a repressive empire, but hope lies in the global conscience of the Earth Community. For this reason, I find it difficult to convince myself of any absolute truths, I find hard to believe in fundamentalisms of any kind (the careful reader might forgive my “fundamentalism” in “antifundamentalism” matters).

During the awakening of Humanity, each one of us is a catalyst who impels all perspectives. The result is that we are getting closer to the truth. As seekers of truth, Ahimsa people (from Sanskrit ahimsa is “absence of the intention, or desire to harm”) can in this way avoid the fundamentalism-antifundamentalism paradox. A community is emerging on our Planet. We are becoming aware of the diversity of thought, on the one hand, and on the other hand, unity of heart. These are the ideas that rule the hearts and minds of perspectivists.

Perspectivism has been accelerating exponentially with time:

-Just a century ago, we invented Satyagraha (from Sanskrit “clinging to truth”), the vast inner strength required to perform nonviolent acts, an invention that is recognized as a positive and spiritually based form of resistance that starts in the heart of the resister and inevitably produces creative action.

-Just over 6 decades ago, we created the United Nations, which, for all its imperfections, made it possible for the first time for representatives of all the World’s nations and peoples to meet in a neutral space to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than the force of arms.

-Less than 8 lustrums ago, our species ventured into space to look back and see ourselves as one people sharing a common destiny on a living spaceship, the Earth.

-A little more than 10 years ago, our communications technologies gave us the ability, should we choose to use it, to link every human on the planet into a seamless web of nearly costless communication and cooperation.

-A couple of months ago, our curiosity drove us to discover the first Super-Earth (a terrestrial planet about 5 times as massive as the Earth) orbiting around a red dwarf star in the habitable zone (region where water is possible to be in liquid state). The iconic view of our living Spaceship, taken by the astronauts of the Apollo program, is reinforcing the idea that the Earth is but one country and the humankind its citizens.

-This article is about another constructive story (one for David Korten’s or Michael Nagler’s nonviolence collection), which happened about 30 days ago.

Continue Reading AHIMSA in the Earth Community: An Emerging Paradigm»

Making a Difference: The Nonviolent Life
Presented by
Richard Deats

Nov. 2-4, 2007
Participants will hear stories and struggles of these past decades and how Richard Deats built a peace vocation across racial, international and religious lines. He will share his understanding and experiences of active nonviolence and how it continues to develop, even alongside the paradoxical growth of fundamentalism and intolerance.  Together we will reflect on how we relate with children and family members who choose radically different life journeys than our own.  Richard will encourage us to share our own experiences and to reflect on the inward and outward journey of the peacemaker.  He will also talk about spiritual resources for peacemakers, with time for prayer, laughter and singing.

TIMES: Friday 6:30 p.m. dinner through Sunday lunch
FEES: Program $135; Room/Board $175, Total $310
EARLYBIRD: $35 off the total before October 2.

Richard Deats is recognized internationally as a writer, trainer, and activist, and as a leading authority on active nonviolence for social change. He worked to dismantle Jim Crow laws in Texas, taught social ethics in the Philippines, lectured and trained on nonviolent action in a dozen countries, joined delegations to Colombia and Iraq and led delegations to the USSR and Iran. At the Fellowship of Reconciliation, he coordinated the interfaith program, then served as executive, and later became editor of Fellowship Magazine.  Richard is an ordained Methodist pastor and holds a Ph.D. from Boston University. He is also a musician, humorist, and storyteller.  His articles have appeared in such publications as USA Today, Newsday, Sojourners, The Progressive and Reconciliation International.  His popular books include:
· Martin Luther King, Jr., Spirit-Led Prophet
· Mahatma Gandhi, Nonviolent Liberator
· Ambassador of Reconciliation – A Muriel Lester Reader
· Nationalism and Christianity in the Philippines
· How to Keep Laughing Even Though You’ve Considered All the Facts

For more information or to register
www.kirkridge.org

or call 610-588-1793

For Janet Chisholm
janetc@kirkridge.org

For more information: click here