An exercise in contemplating between the bars of conditioned viewpoints

Saturday, 18 May 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Let us think beyond the iron bars of regimental thinking

Let us look at a particular reality that we are not taught in the cemented classrooms of our development psyche that has whitewashed out a particular worldview that existed in peace with all of nature. This is a worldview that celebrates the concept of ‘being’ beyond the measurement of private property. This world view did not seek to own boxed out squares of land that said ‘this is for me’ and ‘I paid this much for it and you shall not come near it.’

Yet, we talk of peace/peacebuilding and do not see anything wrong with a way of thinking we were brainwashed to adopt in the name of ‘development,’ and ‘modernity.’

We have now long forgotten the great freedom that comes looking at an expanse of land with the belief that it belongs not to me and never be mine and ethically belongs to the grand landlordship of earth. The same earth which feeds us and sustains us.

But we are in lost territory today. We scuffle and prod and knife and burn each other for the torn pieces of this earth and turn these fragmented pieces into a premature crematorium.

It seems as if we are deranged because even when we talk of peace it is not peace but an artificial shard of glittering; one which could be tarred with just a shadow of manipulation and display a diabolical twist of a long destroyed pristine reality.

Let us then re-connect to and celebrate today, if it is possible, the original nature of peace that is the core energy of earth and man. The crux of peace is in the natural cosmic psyche that binds the heavens and earth, drawing a perfect symmetry between the chiaroscuro between light and darkness which are the two main dynamics needed for the regeneration and survival of the planet.

Let us read the below paragraphs to understand a reality that governed the old world which although having its own share of conflicts, strife and bloodshed was wired into a different mental route of unravelling the business of life.

We quote below John (Fire) Lame Deer, Sioux Lakota (1903-1976).

“Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, we didn’t have any kind of prison. Because of this we did not have any delinquents. Without a prison there can be no delinquents. We had no locks or keys and therefore among us there were no thieves. When someone was so poor that he couldn’t afford a horse, tent or a blanket, he would in that case, receive it all as a gift. We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property. We did not know any kind of money and consequently the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth. We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians, therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another. We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don’t know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society.”

A quotation by Native American philosopher John (Fire) Lame Deer Sioux Lakota – 1903 – 1976).