December 2008 Complete Disarmament Part I Walmart Under Attack as Terrorists Siege Mumbai written by HAWAH   On November 26th, 2008 terrorists laid siege on Mumbai, India. They successfully overtook several public and private buildings, including The Taj Mahal & Oberoi Hotels, Café Leopold, a Railway Station, and a Jewish Cultural Center; they also started shooting at a hospital! Thoroughly executed attacks displayed signs of lengthy preparation and planning; although their lack of a specific target seemed to point to the fact that even the terrorists didn’t know what they were shooting at and why.  Their motives ambiguous, pundits continue to hypothesize exactly which terrorist group they were taking orders and operating from. Before the terrorist attacks are even over, it is widely being discussed by politicians and news media how to make India more safe and terrorist proof. Answers tend to focus on how to increase security through more military police stationed throughout the city, increased checkpoints, metal detectors, and surveillance by naval ships that would patrol the waters near the coast. As buildings continued to burn in Mumbai, on November 28, 2008, the largest shopping day of the year, “Black Friday,” was taking place in the United States. Supposedly it earned this name because it was the day of the year when retailers' books moved out of the red, which traditionally is used by accountants to indicate loss, and into the black, which indicates profit. On this fateful day in Long Island, New York, Walmart shoppers, in their hunger for the cheapest goods, rushed the door at 5 AM just as an employee was trying to unlock it. The shoppers took the employee’s life from under their feet. The employee was trampled to death as coworkers trying to rescue him were fitfully shoved and stampeded as well. Black Friday is destined now to take on even more meanings.  The title for this essay could have been “Consumerism Kills Again,” or “Terrorism Needs Consumerism to Live.” The incident illuminates the predator consciousness that consumerism breeds.  Through the hording of goods and resources, it quickly causes abundance to vanish and people to act from places of deficit and scarcity. If everyone knew that there would be either enough laptops for everyone to have one or that they could still live a beautiful wonderful life without one, then there wouldn’t have been a mad rush for the door, regardless of the cost. Some could argue the shoppers were actually terrorists. Believe it, they terrorized that unfortunate worker, and also, undoubtedly scared nearly to death some helpless cashiers working at the check-out counters. Others would say they aren’t terrorists because there must be a systematic application of coercion, meaning they have a plan to get their way no matter what, even if it means they have to create pain and suffering to others.  Terrorists want us to live in—you got it—terror. In either regard, however, terrorists are consumers. They consume and feed off of fear; whether that is the fear others have of them, or a fear that is generated from economic, social, and political systems which assure the rise of some select few over others. An intricate web of consumerism must be unraveled as we strive to present methods of how to deal with terrorism more effectively. The mobilization which killed the Walmart employee may have been motivated by a fear that items on sale would sell out if they didn’t hurry. In the process, they ended up acting as predatory animals with a pack mentality, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and killing the Walmart employee. Similarly, we could say that the fear which motivated the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks upon New York, or, the attacks on November 26th in Mumbai is rooted in not being able to participate in the world economy, being neo-colonized, dominated and controlled. In other words, even terrorists are terrorized—deathly scared of not getting what they want. If someone can’t afford to buy it, or if it’s not something that can be bought, then they may resort to even taking hostages as bargaining chips. During Thanksgiving dinner, it was hard for me to concentrate and not have my mind constantly wandering back to the situation in Mumbai, especially, since I have family and friends who live in what is now the third highest populated city in the world. As I sat comfortably, with football on a wide screen television and dessert just moments away, my connection and need to understand the importance of this incident did not sway. What is currently transpiring in India is an unbelievable moment for the world’s largest democracy to act in a way that is spiritually advanced and mature. Instead of arming the nation more, what if they did the opposite of what the world community expects and anticipates? The answer does not have to be increased militarization. The answer could be meeting the hatred with love and compassion. The answer could be found by asking why did this happen? What drove them to do this and how do we change those conditions? This is what the U.S. government failed to do in those essential days after September 11th, 2001. Instead of asking, “Why,” they asked, “Where are they?”  The question was a perfect transition, permitting U.S. military forces to hastily set-off, hunt down and vengefully attempt to kill. The same response could be utilized now, as terrorism strikes the heart of Mumbai; or, it could be the opposite. This is a timely test for the spirituality of India. A history of non-violence has defined Her existence for thousands of years. Climaxing with the policies and code of King Ashoka (270 – 232 BC), who after taking personal responsibility for the slaughter of thousands of people through the greedy expansion of empire boundaries, had an epiphany on the battlefield and decided he would no longer allow innocent people to suffer from the ravages of war. The reign of his empire is defined through his spiritual awakening, and the resulting peace which he brought to all who lived within his territories. His spiritual leadership along with many others has injected non-violence into the forefront of Indian beliefs. Millenniums of spiritual practice, discipline and prayer have brought to us Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Her roots are planted in the idea of compassion, nonviolence and acceptance. The moment to test the pulse of Her people is now. The terrorist attacks on Mumbai are a defining moment, and have the opportunity to be, as Obama’s election as president of the U.S., a man with a Muslim father from Kenya and a white mother from the Midwestern United States, a powerful symbol and shift of universal human consciousness. If India acts in a way that is congruent with Her history of nonviolence, she could begin to shift the paradigm around the world. She could easily begin to develop new strategies for keeping people safe that are not rooted in increased militarism. She could launch, not a shock and awe military assault, but a non-military tribunal of hearings of truth and reconciliation for people who were aversely affected from the attacks. She could vow to fight back with what M.K. Gandhi called, “Satyagraha (truth-force).”  This is how they expelled British Colonialism from the land, or what some Indians refer to as British Terrorism, without lifting a finger to violently fight back. Because of India’s history, She is in a unique position to succeed at banishing terrorism without using a gun, tank, or bomb. She could bring out the humanity of those who died and those who killed them.   Conversely, as a reaction to the death of the Walmart employee, the U.S. could begin to station military police at Walmart locations on “Black Fridays,” and other major shopping holidays. It seems to be the likely reaction for next year’s shopping season. But it doesn’t have to be the only reaction, and especially wouldn’t be if we could find a way back into Pandora’s box. What we need today are new ways to deal with terrorism that are non-military responses. Terrorists and shoppers will in many cases do anything to achieve the highest good. They are working towards achieving a goal, and often will not stop at anything until they get it.  The shoppers think that buying the newest toy for their child or family member is the highest good.  So imbibed with conviction they may even rip the last toy on the shelf out of another child’s hands so that they can buy it and give it to their child.   Consumerism is synonymous with exploitation. Although not directly seen, someone is exploited so that another can buy goods at cheap market rates. That worker at Walmart was surely exploited. He was exploited by peoples’ greed and lack of patience which caused them to not even see him or his reason for being there. Their eyes directed their feet straight to the sales, where they could locate video games, toy guns, t-shirts and camping gear. Their focus on what they were going to buy blinded them to the humanity of the one who was simply trying to open the door and let them in. Let us not make the same mistake again. Let us unite as a world community behind India in these unfortunate times, and encourage Her to consider utilizing old, proven methods and ways to deal with terrorism, as surely the new ways are not working.     HawaH is an author, organizer and educator who lives in Washington, DC. He is executive director of the non-profit organization One Common Unity and co-founder of ShantiSalaam—an International Peace Building through the Arts Initiative to Pakistan, Kashmir, and India.

...effortless unfolding
and infinite openness
to ALL...

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The Mayan lived in Mesoamerica and thrived for more than 2,000 years.  Their calendars and sacred ration 13:20 was used to form the foundation and basis of Dr. Jose Arguelles'  pioneering work.  He modernized a calendar based upon the cycles of the moon... each moon lasts 28 days, so there are 28 days a month and 13 moons in a calendar year.
One day a year is known as...
The Day Out Of Time.

The 12 month calendar that the Western world uses is the Gregorian method to tell time; many different cultures and civilizations prior, all had intricate, elaborate and accurate calendars of their own; thousands of years ago there were calendars that depicted the unfolding of our galaxy---today the progress they made with out tools would be considered radical, pioneering, and cutting edge; still, there are more ways to tell time than humans have discovered.

An Everlutionary Time Seed

The ancient astronomers had no telescopes,
but a patience only life without technology can bring.

The stars all have their place in the universe;  as you, they rest in pockets gravitating energy.  These pockets are responsible for magnetic pulls that cause microcosmic differences in how our cells are arranged... our cells are shifted by their position... 
at the time of our birth
subtleties affect us
wrinkles indent our skin
memories
carve
where
spoons fit in
bowls tattooed on
bodies so they could be sewn into blankets
and eat the possibility that you were already thought of...

For this reason, I never had my palm read or future told.  I've been quite mindful to never go to a fortune teller. The lines on my palm, they lead somewhere I'm sure... maybe i'm just not sure if they want to be read?  Or, maybe I'm just not interested right now in where they go. 

Saving the future for the future; interested thoroughly in what the now has to offer.  The now, other than a glass of red wine that sits by my desk as I write, contains the secrets to the future. The past needs a bridge to find them A walk needs motivation to guide it... therefore, can independence truly exist?  Systems that don't need any assistance...

Perpetual performance without refueling?

Can existence persist without any surrounding support?
Relationship is it the basis of our survival?
Do healthy ecosystems need ancient calendars?
Is it possible that in the past humans were slightly more enlightened than they are today? 
Is blood not more than just red?
Are there colors that we still have not seen?

How we counted the days; when the months in a year were irrelevant;  even when we are not searching for knowledge... we will find it... come back after we thought we had lost it... dropped it... nestled it somewhere between experiences.  a lesson that we had to learn over and over again.  it's nature was to never stop searching... stop counting the days... I tell myself this... and while writing you say,

"This is how life makes more sense to me... it's like being in class... reading a book... taking notes on calendars... when you have a place to record your thoughts... days seem to melt into each other.  I can only get bits and pieces of the conversation, of what was said, I think to myself, "if you are reading and you don't want to... then hit delete... and if you're hungry, fast until you no longer feel the pain... and if you're empty and feel lonely, walk a few miles in an orphans shoes. 

What do you want to do... and how do we conclude... words are not just meant to create sentences... and sentences are not just meant to create paragraphs... and paragraphs are not just meant to create chapters... and chapters are not just meant to create books.  

...effortless unfolding
and infinite awareness
to ALL...

March 2008

 The Birth of Death (Part 1)

…Every second of everyday something is being born
A second cannot exist without a birth…

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Fallen down, as a mango that snapped from the branch of a tree; we were bruised by watching you land.  The ground welcomed you, reached for you as you reached for it.  The fruit seemed wanting to be eaten.

Passed away, as a season we didn’t want to end; transitioned, as a human must and always did; readjusted, as a light that has become dim.  The darkness of loss brings pain and mourning. 

Hurt pierces stomach lining.

Tears crumble as old deteriorated buildings; cells become bricks no longer with mortar to hold them in place; face no longer with lines of stress, delicately carved as wrinkles representing age.  You were a road slicing through the mountain, your memories the pavement upon which we walk and tread. 

No longer liquid, you have become solid.  Solid as the weight felt in the chest.  Solid as the weight felt in the head.  The head hurts.  The tears advance in uncontrollable, unpredictable, unforgiving moments. 

Bodulal Kasat cropped

Your death is the birth of us telling your story.

Death would be so much easier if you weren’t gone… the tale much better if it continued on.  If we could still laugh with you and touch your hand, feel the skin on a body, before it crumbled as a building, no longer needing occupation. 

We hurt inside.  Hurt probably more than you do at this moment.  We think of you day and night.  You have left us, but why?  So early and late… we are unsure of which one to embrace.

We love too.  Is it late?  Is it too late?

Heart wrenching… with tool box in garage, we remove and loosen the bolt that has shut and closed our hearts.  Grieving loss; it was early, sudden, damn IT!  It was too fucking soon.  It shouldn’t have been you.  We’re angry.  Mad, needing to find a way to breathe… We can feel you still next to us, everywhere we look…

Bodulal-Kasat fire

… death … the gate… birth … the gate … 

All birth begins in death.  The record is repeating, skipping, and playing.  Birth and death are 2 sides of the same coin.  It is flipping and landing.

Death cannot take you away from us; birth cannot bring you to us.  You are not gone.  Death cannot take you away from us.  You are not gone.  We know it must be… somewhere deep inside the root of a tree, you now wait patiently for the chance to become a leaf.  And flowing incessantly we return to you as flowers that we drop upon your grave.  The memories… the memories that will be forgotten cannot take you away, because you have penetrated deep into our DNA.  You have penetrated into the essence of who we are today. 

Birthing-A-Vision-Far

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Written by

HAWAH

February 2008

The Truth is, time is not escaping me.
In fact, I gain more time as I grow older.

  Walking slow takes time
Walking fast takes time

 Which one will you chose?

  As we have more decisions to make, the weight that sits on our shoulders progressively increases.  Responsibility is what makes us grow older.  The thought, “I must shape,” I must do x, y, and z in order for “be” to happen. 

We're told as our body ages, bones become weak, cells become slower to heal from injury and disease.  We believe as the planets revolve around the sun we age and collect dust, layers upon our skin thicken... each layer another year, as a ring inside the trunk of a tree.  Each passing year seems to take away just a little bit more of our belief… the first thing to be destroyed are possibilities… they are replaced by the idea of unfeasibility. 

Who knew idealism would be stolen from us with age?  Ripped from our hearts as the cost of living; in a world where so many are cornered to think life is about surviving.  Life is more than just survival, surviving means nothing, if life is not worth living. 

Life is more than just growing old; it is a graceful journey into the unknown.  Life must be something beyond what we once thought... playing hide and seek with god.

Grow young... labor and love... labor for love... labor with love...  make without thinking about what there is to receive in return.  Give to someone without them knowing who it was. 

So what is it to be young again? 

Remember the days when the only care in the world was if mom would be there at the bus stop waiting for you to come home?  Or, the first time you put on a baseball glove, maybe the first time you actually hit a jump shot, or perhaps it was the first time you wrote a poem, or rode a bike without your father holding on. 

Inject novelty into your life.  Remember there are no squares or circles that you must live in.  Continue to learn… absorb… gaze wide-eyed at the world…
trust people before becoming suspicious of them. 

Know there are things we can’t prepare for.  Be a child, filled with humble invincibility… a distinct, intrigued curiosity.  Thirsty for knowledge and living… experiencing new things. Wanting to grow young again?  Break out of routine.  Know that age is not determined by the  physical state of your body.
Today... wake up and scream as loud as you can!

Go for a stroll and leave your phone at home…just walk… slowly, stop and listen to leaves rustling… grow young… chase some birds in a park or dive fist first into a box of cookies…
waaaahhhhhaaaaw
why live if you can’t enjoy what is around you?
Of course, I could expand on the previous sentence, but I won’t.

Be a child on the swings… climb the monkey bars… fall off the tree and break your arm.
Crack it in a couple places and enjoy the moments when your friends come to visit and sign your cast.  Allow the different colored markers to expedite your recovery.

Just when people think they know you… just when you think you know yourself… be fluid enough to not have reactions people expect.  Surprise yourself daily.  As a child, with every passing moment constantly reformulate and recreate yourself.  Incessantly bend and stretch, how flexible children are.  How easy it was to touch your toes when you were 5 years old.

Be a child again!

www.EVERLUTIONARY.net

December 2007
Vol II., Issue II.
Surround Your Life With Value

Let us take things we are not using and give them to people who will put them to use.  Surround your life with value.  Garbage exists only when we lack creativity, time, and the patience to discover purpose.  Engage resourcefulness so that you can move without dragging your feet.  Jettison the weight that keeps you feeling burdened, that means stop becoming heavy by acquiring new things. 

Allow clarity to dissolve boxes of black and white.  Acquire new experiences but not new material possessions.  Create new colors; ones never seen.

The Crystal Finger

No matter what, continue to honor those who hurt you.  Those you may no longer trust, even within them is a seed of something beautiful.  Find a way to free the self from speaking in a way that can assassinate another's character and sense of worth.  What prevents broken relationships from healing?  What keeps us from being as before?  Laughing and smiling and convinced we were going to change the world.

This is simple science that resembles art. Through cooperating we will decipher the true potential of competition  Without cooperation competition is dry and barren. 
A soil that has no rain----water to give birth to the seed in its womb.  While bickering amongst ourselves over petty details we forget the vision & reason we came together.  A team, comprised of individuals who strive to make those they are playing with better,
will experience uncompromising growth. 

The individual’s desire for credit creates dishonor amongst those who helped.
Give away need for recognition and acknowledgment.
Do more than ever thought was possible.
Fuse with the omnipresent self.

 
effortless unfolding
and infinite openness
to ALL of you

HaWaH