Therefore Rise, O son of Kunti, and Fight.

In the midst of the armies, Arjuna sank on the seat of the chariot, casting away his bow and arrow, heart-broken with grief.

Arjuna spoke: 'My Lord! How can I, when the battle rages, send an arrow through Beeshma and Drona, who should receive my reverence?

'Rather would I content myself with a beggar's crust than kill these teachers of mine, these precious noble souls!

'Nor can I say whether it were better that they concquer me or for me to concquer them, since I would no longer care to live if I killed these sons of Dhritarashtra, now preparing for fight.

'My heart is oppressed with pity; and my mind confused as to what my duty is. Therefore, my Lord! tell me what is best for my spiritual welfare; for I am Your diciple. Please direct me, I pray.

And then, Arjuna, the concqueror of all enemies, told the Lord of All-Hearts that he would not fight, and became silent.

Thereupon, the Lord, with a gracious smile, addressed him who was so much depressed in the midst between two armies.

Lord Shri Krishna said: 'Why grieve for those for whom no grief is due, and yet profess wisdom? The wise grieve neither for the dead nor for the living.

'There was never a time when I was not, nor You, nor these princes were not; there will never be a time when we shall cease to be.

'That which is not, shall never be; that which is, shall never cease to be. To the wise, these truths are self-evident.

'The Spirit, which prevades all that we see, is imperishable. Nothing can destroy the Spirit.

'Therefore fight, O Valiant Man!

'He who thinks that the Spirit kills, and he who thinks of It as killed, are both ignorant. The Spirit kills not, nor is It killed.

'It was not born; it will never die: nor once having been, can It ever cease to be: Unborn, Eternal, Ever Enduring, yet Most Ancient, the Spirit dies not when the body is dead.

'Be not anxious about these armies. The Spirit in man is imperishable.

'You must look at your duty. Nothing can be more welcome to a soldier than a righteous war. Therefore to waver in your resolve is unworthy, O Arjuna!

'Blessed are soldiers who find their opporunity. This opportunity has opened for them gates of heaven.

'Refuse to fight in this righteous cause, and you will be a traitor, lost to fame, incurring only sin.

'Men will talk forever of your disgrace; and to the noble, dishonour is worse than death.

'If killed, you shall attain Heaven; if victorious, enjoy the kingdom of earth.

'Therefore Rise, O Son of Kunti, and Fight.

...

The above text is an extract from the Baghavad Geeta, the Gospel of the Lord Shri Krishna, translated by Shri Purohit Swami, the most beautiful translation I found so far. It is one of the most sacred hindu texts, if not the most sacred, and is part of the Mahabarata, an old and very long epic hindu poem.

In this gospel, Arjuna, a prince and a mighty warrior, is caught in between two armies, one of them is his own family and tribe, which is described in the Mahabarata as the righteous party, the second army is his cousins family and tribe, depicted as the corrupt party. Arjuna is confused and distressed, his heart feels ill for that battle that he did not choose nor desire, he is hesistating, depressed and troubled. He doesn't want to fight, his senses are paralysed, and he seeks guidance from the Lords of All-Hearts.

And so to Arjuna, the Lord Shri Krishna spoke. And His guidance was clear.

"Rise", the Lord said, "and Fight!"

...

And so to myself, in this turning point in my life, me too I speak:

'Are you confused? distressed? anxious too?

'Reluctant to be who you are? Who else can you ever be?

'A new door is opened for you, are you hesitating to go through?

'Is it doubt that is parlayising you?

'Or grief from past losses? Sadness from days that were?

'Fear, from future losses, or days that might be?

'Is it pain that is holding you?

'Or non-acceptance to a life that you think you did not choose?

'Whatever it is, my habibi, remember, we are together.

'So let us accept, wholeheartedly, let us surrender.

'What is, is. But what will be, is yet to be.

'Rejoice, be happy. Did you ever intend anything wrong, to ever feel bad?

'Why keep in your heart a guilt that is not yours?

'Why pay for mistakes that you did not commit?

'And who told you that you should carry more than your burden?

'Cast away all these shadows, throw away all your doubts.

'Don't you believe in our love?

'To doubt your faith now, is to loose everything.

'Therefore Rise, O habibi Jiji, and Be!

...

Dedicated to all those who ever felt confused, anxious, doubtful or scared, in this Life, O sweet Life.

The Light of the World

Usually people identify themselves by their name, title, nationality, gender, religion, family, tribe, etc...

To the question “who are you?”, you will probably hear answers like this: I am Bill, I am Indian, I am muslim, I am the Program Manager, I am a single guy, I am an actress, etc...

Two thousands years ago, in a fertile land on the shore of the mediterrranean sea, a man was asked: “who are you?”.

His answer was:

“I am the Light of the World”

...

Wow.

What an extraordinary and formidable answer.

But what is more extraordinary and formidable is that this man was not joking at all, and he would pay his life for what he believed.

The man name is Jesus. After his death, temples will be built for him across the four corners of the planet. Magnificient churches and humble huts still celebrate his name to this very day. And more than half of humanity, people from both christian and muslim faith, believe in his triumphant return.

...

What an incredible story.

And yet it is here, it is there, it is everywhere. In the scriptures, in churches, in prayers, in paintings hanged on walls, in necklesses and tatoos, on t-shirts and scarfs, in cities and in villages, in xmas gifts and eastern eggs, in the memories of previous wars, in current wars as well, and in the sound of ringing bells...

Something must have surely happened two thousands years ago, in this fertile land, on the shores of the mediterranean sea!

...

The picture above is taken by Asri in Manusak Village, a community of ex-refugees, in West Timor, Indonesia. As part of my work with Austcare, we were implementing a support program in the community, and we made a visit from Aceh to Timor in order to launch the support program.

The community consists of refugees who had to flee the violence in East Timor and take refuge in West Timor. They were given a land to settle, but the land is dry, and they lack everything: food, hygiene, water, and sanitation.

In this dry land where everything is missing, the community built itself a humble church, so humble that without the hanging wooden cross you would never guess its actually a church. In this simple hut, there are no ornaments, no golden altars, no fancy priests clothes and jewel crowns. And yet in this desolate place, this chapel stands more magnificient in its poverty than any other.

I can imagine how one day someone from this refugee community gathered two tree troncs from the surrounding fields and shaped a cross with them. He planted the cross in front of the wooden hut, to remember and to remind himslef and everyone around him, that one day a man once claimed: "I am the Light of the World", and paid his life for it.

...

And so, now I will ask you again the same old question. But before you rush and answer, please take a pause, and think again.

Your answer will determine everyhing in your life.

For this question is the most important of all.

“Who are You?”

Master Danzel and the Mighty Warrior

The Mighty Warrior was sick.

He was a big hero, having fought bravely countless wars. Oh he remembered how he slained the dragons in the Sea of Shadows, how he fought the giants in the Land of the Titans, how he broke the City of the Thousands Walls.

But now he was sick. His heart was ill.

He traveled accross the counties looking for a remedy to his ill heart. Countless sages he consulted, countless treatements he tried, all in vain. And the more time passed, the more his heart was getting ill.

But then he heard of Danzel, the Master who holds the Secret of Secrets of the Hearts, the magic Three-Word Spell.

“If you apply the Three-Word Spell, you will be surely cured”. He was told by wise men and princes of great reputation and honor.

The Mighty Warrior tried evreything to discover the magic Three Word Spell. He questioned all the sages of his time and consulted all the scriptures, but to his great despair, he found no indication of the magic spell.

“You have to find and meet Master Danzel’, he was told. “Only He holds the Secret of the Secrets of the Hearts.”

And so the Mighty Warrior set up for a great journey to find the revered Master who lives on the Mountain of Bulu, in a land where few have dared to venture before. On his way, he had to slain the Monster of the land of Zuchi, defeat the great army of Herodos, and cross the wild sea of Zantu.

Finally, he arrived to the Mountain of Bulu, the great land of Master Zandel. He indeed was a Mighty Warrior, for nothing could stop him on his way.

On top of the Mountain of Bulu, stood a great temple, like nothing he ever seen before.

He walked in the temple, and there he was, face to face with the great Master, the mighty Danzel in flesh and blood.

The moment was dazzling. Master Danzel was surrounded by a flashy red background, wearing a red leather jacket, and a trendy blue sun glasses, and had funky spiky hair.

“Oh Master”, the Mighty Warrior said while kneeling in respect, “Teach me the Secret of the Secrets of the Hearts, Speak to me the magic Three-Word Spell, Cure my ailing heart.”

From underneath his funky blue sunglasses, Master Danzel threw a fiery look at the Mighty Warrior.

And thus the Master spoke:

“Don’t you know .... .... .... , you’ve got to .... .... ....”

At hearing the magic Three-Word Spell, the Mighty Warrior Heart was instantly cured, and thunders stroke over the Mountains of Bulu at this great moment.

The Mighty Warrior went on to live a long and happy life. In his long prosperous life to come, he continued to slain monsters, defeat armies and cross wild seas, but now he also learned how to joyfuly dance his way, happily sing his life, and tenderly share his love.

For his heart was now cured! He learned the Secret of the Secrets of the Hearts!

...

Do you like this hopeful story?

I am sure you are wondering what the magic Three-Word Spell is? And who is the great Master Danzel?

I have good news for you!

No need to go to the Mountain of Bulu, where few have dared to venture before.

Just put your earphones, put on maximum the sound volume on your computer, and..

click here!

...

Don’t forget to apply the three-word Magic Spell to your heart anytime you feel ill. That’s the Secret of the Secrets, for a happy and long life!

May all our hearts be cured!

New Era

Last week I finished my job! I was working with Austcare, an Australian NGO in Banda Aceh, as Program Development Manager for the last 16 months. My work was to develop new programs, which means finding out humanitarian needs in communities and writing proposals to donors and funding institutions. The part I loved in the work is traveling to new areas and meeting local partners and communities, understanding needs and problems, and discovering new cultures. The part I least enjoyed is sitting down and writing lengthy technical proposals in neutral technical english, with no poetry, no exclamation points, and definitely no reference to rasta songs!

My last day of work was Friday the 17 of January, which was perfect as it gave me 3 full days to prepare for the Obama Inauguration! And so from my living room in the little house where I live in Banda Aceh, I had ready all what I need: a TV with sattelite connection, my labtop, my djembe, nicely cooked food and freshly prepared coffee, and most importantly, a free heart willing to celebrate the New Era, and to believe!

And so for more than 3 days, from a little anonymous house in Banda Aceh, you could here frenetic djembe jamming, songs of freedom mixed with liberation speeches, and tears of emotions and joy.

And so it was. Obama is now President, and I am a free man!

...

More than 3,5 years have passed since I arrived to Aceh after the Tsunami. When i came here for the first time, i had in my mind to work for 6 months, or maximum one year, and then to move on.

But I fell in love. With Aceh, with Indonesia, with the tropics, the jungles, the rivers, the stars, the oceans, the green mountains, and the warm friendly people.

Each day when I drive my way to work, passing rivers and trees, little kids playing in the sun and men siting by their coffee shops reading newspapers in peace.. i wonder..

And each evening driving back to my house.. watching the colors of the sky change with the sunset, feeling the fresh evening breeze on my face .. i wonder..

And each night while taking a peaceful walk next to my house, under the stars and the bright moon.. i wonder too..

I wonder.. is this real? can life be so good, so peaceful and so beautiful? how do all these wonderful things happen every day, without a single human effort? and i wonder.. what else do we really need? what are we, humans, looking for?

And I feel grateful to life for having shown me a glimpse of this paradise, for I know that wherever I would go and whatever I would do, my heart will be always filled with pictures of sunny landscapes, bright skies and warm smiles.

...

And the story goes on.

For now I saved enough money to allow myself few months of rest in my beautiful Aceh. I don't know yet what I will be doing next, but I am not worried. I know that right now I am where I should be, and I accept my life as it is, and myself as I am. One thing I learned in this life is to surrender to what Is, and to trust and follow the guidance of life. I know what to do today, and even tomorow, and after tomorow will bring its answers.

Amen

Rastaman Chant

Barack Obama has been sworn in President of the United States of America.

The New Era has just begun.

What hymn can better express this historic moment, than the beautiful ...

Rastaman Chant!

...

Bob sings:

And I hear the Word of the Higher Man say
Babylone, your Throne has gone down
Gone down
Oh Babylone, your Throne gone down

And I hear the Word of the Rastaman say
Babylone your Throne has gone down
Gone down
Oh Babylone, your Throne gone down

I say Fly
Away Home
To Zion
Fly
Away Home

One bright morning
When Man Work is over
Man will Fly
Away Home

...

The vision of a New World is present in most religions and philosophies.

While each tradition has a different story and name for the New World, they all have striking similarities. In brief, the New World is envisioned as the world of peace, love and salvation, while the current world is the world of wars, pain and suffering.

For christians for example, the New World is called the Kingdom of Heaven, for muslims, it is Al Jannah, or the Paradise, for the new spiritual trends, they refer to it as the New Age.

As for the Rastas, the New World is called Zion, and the world of today is Babylone.

And so Bob heard, and he announced:

Babylone, your Throne Gone Down, Gone Down
Oh Babylone, your Throne Gone Down.

...

Listen to this touching version of the Rastaman Chant. Here you can see Bob for the first time playing on percussion, not on guitare, he is in deep trance, and just as Barack annouced to America, that Change Has Come, Bob is announcing to the world, the fall of Babylone.





If you like the Rastaman Chant, more versions will be coming later. Stay updated!

Pact of Love

Thank you Barack.

Thank you for standing up for what you believe.

Thank you for inspiring us with your courage and hard work.

Thank you for sharing with us the beauty in your soul, and the kindness in your heart.

Thank you for proving to us that Yes We Can.

Thank you for ushering to us a new era of peace.

Thank you for giving us hope again, and unity of purpose.

We love you Barack. I love you.

And today I want to tell you, it doesn't matter anymore whether you make it in your presidency or not, whether your dreams and ambitions become true in one month or one year or ten years. Yes, it does not make a difference anymore.

You already made it, and the seed is planted, and the change has happened, and the chains are broken, and liberation is earned, and no one can ever undo this anymore, or stop the flow of history.

So relax Barack, and rejoice.

And know that whatever happens, we love you.

If you succeed, we love you.

And if you fail, we love you more.

For we see, and we are not ungrateful, how hard you are trying.

Let this be our Pact of Love

...

Yesterday on your historic Inauguration Day, you spoke to us:

"To all people who are watching today, from the grandest capital to the smallest village, know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. "

I believe you.

And as a man who seeks a future of peace and dignity too, I accept your friendship.

And as a Citizen of the World, I am happy that you lead us.

Go Barack go!

We are all with you and with all our hearts.

We are together, whether we make it or not.

And in this World where Change is what we seek, let our Pact of Love remain always the same.

Amen.

...

Dedicated to all those who strive for a better world.

and the Dream comes true

On 28 August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of Lincloln Memorial in Washington, and shared his dream.

I have a dream, he said, that one day this nation will Rise Up to live out the true meaning of its creed.

I have a dream, he declared, that one day, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream, he shared, that one day my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Let freedom ring, he cried, from every state and every city, from every hill and every moutainside.

And when we let freedom ring, he promised, all men will be united to sing:

"Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last"

...

On 28 August 2008, on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. visionary speech, Barack Obama stood in Denver, in the Democratic Covention, and accepted his nomination as the democratic candidate for the president of USA.

In that historic day, in front of 80,000 people gathered from all over the state, and tens of millions following from across the US and the world, Obama announced: Enough! And he remembered the young preacher from Georgia, who stood before the Loncoln's Memorial in Wahshington the same day 45 years ago, and spoke of his dream.

He remembered how the young preacher reminded us all that our destiny is inextricably linked, that together our dream can be one, that we cannot walk alone, and that as we walk, we must not turn back, and must make the the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

And Barack promissed, from Denver: No we won't turn back, no we won't walk alone, and we pledge once more, to march into the future.

...

On 19 January 2009, in the federal holiday commemorating the birth of Martin Luther King, hundreds of thousands are gathering in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, to celebrate the King Day, and the King Dream.

And today, 20 January 2009, in front of millions and millions watching from across the four corners of the globe, from the Washington Capitol, overlooking the Lincoln Memorial, swearing on the Lincoln Bible, Obama will be sworn in as the President of the United States of America.

And the Dream comes true.

...

What a beautiful story.

Let's go back to 1963, and get a glimpse of Martin Luter King speech, "I have a dream".

Inauguration Day

How I wish to be in Washington right now!

My heart is beating so strong, watching all these beautiful images coming from the Obama Inauguration day.

Hope, Joy, Colors, Dancing, Singing, Cheering, Tears, Celebrations, Emancipations, Emotions, History

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Oh I really wish to be there.

Dance with Shakira and Stevie Wonder, sing with Bono
Wear an American hat and paint my face in blue and red
Put a New-Year trumpet in my mouth and peep peep peep
Jump and scream, and cry from emotions and joy

Ohhh its really wonderful!

I am grateful to witness this day in my own life, and to feel the hope, to feel the change, and to believe again in salvation.

Wanna hear my Heart Beat?

Just watch! And dance to the rythims of freedom!




Thank you Barack!

With Love and Gratitude.

:)

American Idol

Believe it or not, it’s only recently that I am discovering TV and reconnecting with the world! In my last few years of traveling i had no access to TV, so it’s only now that i am catching up, and discovering some simple pleasures of life. Friends, BBC news, Larry King Live, the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and the best CNN Political Team, and offcourse the one and only E-Channel!

I found so much nice information and inspiration in these shows, and I enjoyed so much too the American Campaign coverage, and watching all the inspiring Obama speeches and stories. I like it, i feel connected to the world and I am no more left out in the dark. At least now I know that Rachel ended up with Joey, and that Oprah has gained back weight again!

But yesterday, I had a new huge discovery: the American Idol! I watched a long episode of it for the first time of my life. And from that moment my life would never be the same again!

I admit that I am facinated by the American freedom and creativity, and find them very inspiring and alive people, and funny too! In American Idol, everything is creative and fun, the judges are fun, the contestants are fun, the scenes are fun and the way they make up and present stories out of everything is just so funny! I love how each character jumps into the scene and doesn’t mind being totaly gorgeous, or totally jerk!

And so.. i got inspired.. and i decided to participate too.. why not?
Jihad the next American Idol. Yes We Can! :)

And so I went to the audition.

I walked in, I admit I was a bit nervous. After all it’s the first time I sing.
The judges (Randy, Paula, Kara and Simon) looked at me strange.

• Simon asked me: so whats your name?
• Me: Jihad
• Simon: Jihad, like.. djihad?
• Me: euhhh.. yes
• Simon: hmm.. so what will you sing today Jihad?
• Me: Redemption song, from Bob Marley
• Kara: Ok, nice song, go ahead
• Me: Old Pirates yes they rob I...
• Simon: Thank you, please stop. That was absolutely terrible.
• Randy: Yes, I am affraid it’s a big No
• Kara: you know Jihad, you’re a nice guy, but the voice, the voice. Its just not working.
• Paula: It's a defnite No! Nice to meet you.

And so I walked out from the audition room, broken heart. I couldnt make it to Hollywood!

But I didnt give up. I asked the Force of the Spirit to help me and to undo my first audition. And so I had another chance. Youppii.

I walked in again to the audition room, this time I was a bit more sure of myself.

• Simon: so your name is Jihad.. what do you work Jihad?
• Me: oh I do relief work with NGOs
• Kara: nice work Jihad. So what will you sing today?
• Me: Imagine, from John Lennon.
• Kara: good song, go ahead.
• Me: Imagine there is no heaven, its easy if you try...
• Simon: well its easier if you stop trying to sing!
• Randy: I am sorry but i’ll have to agree with Simon.
• Kara: you know you’re a nice guy, but the voice, the voice, its just not working!
• Paula: Am sorry Jihad. We can't let you in!

I cant believe it. I failed again to make it to Hollywood. I was so broken heart. My life seemed meaningless.

But I couldnt give up. And i kept singing to myself : “Get up stand up, dont give up the fight!” And so I asked the Force of the Spirit to help me again and undo my last audition. “Please Holy Spirit Please, please help me I am your servant”. The Spirit finally had pity on me and agreed, but made it clear that it was my last chance.

Ahh.. i have to make it this time!

And so I walked to the audition again. This time i had nothing to loose. I was just myself, wearing my rasta scarf, even my old sandals.
The judges smiled to me.

• Simon: So Jihad.. do you think you can be the next American Idol?
• Me: Yes We Can!
• Kara: thats the spirit! So what will you sing to us today?
• Me: I Can See Clearly Now from Jimmy Cliff.
• Kara: great, I love this song.
• Me: I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
  I can see all obstacles in my way
  Gone are the dark clouds that made me blind
  Its gonna be a bright, bright sunshinin’ day
• Simon: You know what? I like you! I think you have style.
• Randy: That was absolutely fantastic.
• Kara: Oh I love your spirit. And your voice, your voice, it is just so good!
• Paula: I would say absolutely Yes!
• Randy: Yes, 100%
• Kara: Big Yes
• Simon: you’ve got 4 yes!

Ahhhhhhhhhh..

I made it to Hollywood! I am so happy. I am the next American Idol.
Yes We Can!

:)

....

May all your dreams come true!

Play Real

Do you like the video clips on this blog?

I have an advise for you: you can download and save the clips on your computer, and so you won't need to wait each time you want to watch any of these clips.

In this way, you would download each clip only once, and enjoy it as much as you like. With good internet connection, and only few minutes, all video clips will be yours, and you can live again those timeless moments anytime you wish, without being online!

It's easy! Even me i could do it. Let me tell you how:

If you have Real Player on you computer:

Wait few seconds until the youtube clip is recognised by your computer, then:

• Go with the mouse to the top right side of the youtube screen, a blue window should appear with the following sign: "Download this Video". Click on it, and the download will start.
  
  
• Or, just right clik on the youtube screen, and you can choose the option "Download this Video to Real Player", and the clip will automatically download.

The download will only take few minutes on average, and your clip will be stored in your Real Player Library.

If you have Real Player, but the "Download This Video" Option does not appear on your screen:

Open the Real Player, go to the Real Player Menu at the top of the screen, and click Tools, then click Preferences. When you click Preferences, a window will appear, on the left side of the window, under the title Category, go to the top down and click on "Download and Recording", on the right side of your window, Enable the Option "Enable Web Dowloading and Recording"

If you don't have Real Player on your computer:

You can download it online from internet for free in only ten minutes. Go to http://www.real.com/realplayer.html and choose the basic free option, and it will automatically install Real Player on your computer.

That's it!

I told you it's easy. From now on you can download all the Youtube clips on your computer in few minutes.

Please don't think I am the IT hacker who figured this out on my own! thanks to Asri again for teaching me this!

Oh yes, one last advise: Some of the Youtube clips have low resolutions or are taken from bad rehearsal recording, so the sound is sometimes low or not clear. You can best listen to them with earphones instead of normal computer speaker.

Now you are ready to Play Real.

Enjoy :)

Redemption Song

We will talk a lot about Bob and the Redemption Song in this blog.

But for now, and to start with, I propose to give you a small feel of the song, just to warm up the mood.

How many times have we heard people playing this song on guitare? Everywhere I traveled, and anywhere I saw people play music, whether in the Pont des Arts in Paris, or in remote beaches of Indonesia, I heard this song play. For wherever there is a guitare, and a singing heart, there is the Redemption Song!

Most of us download the chords from the internet, memorize the lyrics, and play the song. G C Am F, thats how we know it. First we play the Sol, then the Do, then La mineur, and then Fa, and we repeat! The good players among us can even play the introduction notes. And those who have good voice, can sing it in tune.

But for Bob, it is different.

He havent heard it on the radio, nor in the Legend CD. He heard it in his own heart.
No one taught him the chords, no one showed him the notes. The chords and the notes are the sound of his own feelings.
It is him who the pirates rob, and sell from the bottomless pit.
And yes it is his own hand that was made strong, by the hand of the Almighty.

And he addresses us, he urges us, he screams to us: liberate yourselves from mental slavery, have no fear..
And he shouts out his pain: how long would the good people be killed, our prophets, himself..
And with resignation he surrenders to his destiny: we have to fulfill the book..

And finally, he asks us one thing, one last thing, for this song is his last song, on his last album. He asks us to help him sing, the songs of freedom.

Because all he ever had, is Redemption Songs.

Let us watch, let us hear, let us feel... this Song of Freedom.

Yes We Can

Once upon a time, in a country called America, there were elections to choose the President of the country. A young man from African orogins presented himself, against all odds. Very few people took him seriously.

He started well his campaign, but then his opponent, a prominent figure in the democratic party, took the lead. He appeared to have lost all chances. He was told to forget about it, to renounce his ambition, and to leave the floor to more serious candidates.

This is how he responded.

Thanks to my friend Arif who passed me this clip a year ago. When I watched it, I felt a ray of sun going into my heart.

Madness

I watched the news today on TV, after several days without having access to TV. And oh my God, i saw a glimpse, only a glimpse, of what is happening in Gaza.

A whole area packed with civilians besieged, trapped, and pounded with explosives. Blood spilling. Screams. Horror. Broken lives, broken dreams. Pure madness.

It is really unbelievable that we human beings can do this to eachother. But let’s wake up. This is real, and it is happening.

I dont want to talk politics here, or try to analyse why this is happening, and for what, and who is to blame. I will just focus on the human side of this carnage, the human spirit.

Two enemies beating each other to death. One of them with superior weaponry and arm force, pounding ruthlessly a whole population, not minding if its bombs break one life or one thousand lives. Not minding if those who die are innocent or not. Anger and hatred in full display. Violence in its full spectrum. The human in its ugliest manifestation.

Though amazed by the arrogance and mercilessness of the attackers, it is really their complete ignorance and total blindness that is shocking to me.

Oh so ignorant are those who think they can elimintate an enemy in this way.
So shortsigned are those who can claim victory after this carnage.
So blind are those who believe they are achieving self defense and peace like this.

Little do they know that the scream of a an innocent soul dying is a million time more poweful then the most powerful bomb. For if the bomb tears down buildings and bodies, an innocent soul scream tears down the heavens and the heart of the earth.

Little do they know that the innocent soul that is killed prematurely, in horror, dies not, disappears nowhere, but remains alive to haunt its killer. Yes alive it remains, in the wounds of the broken families, in the tears of the mothers, and in the prayers of the believers.

It might appear today that one party is effectively killing its enemy. In reality, this party is digging its own moral grave with the same force with which it is launching its missiles.

It might seem today that the civilians trapped under the bombs are the ones hopelessly asking for mercy. But the truth is that the cold-blooded killers in their jet planes and safe homes are the ones in most need of mercy.

Any person with a human heart watching, would be hurt, sad and angry. But the wise man will also laugh mockingly in his heart, for he knows that the ones claiming victory have just incurred their biggest human defeat, and that the enemy they are trying to kill so ruthlessly, is nowhere else but in their own hearts.

For when you have horror in your heart, horrible becomes your life and your acts.

And when you have hatred in your own soul, hateful will be your existence and your relations with your neighbours.

Oh dont they know, that what you feel in your heart, you attract to your life? That what a man saw, he shall reap?

For this is the Law of Life, the Ultimate Justice.

...

Jesus once said, in the same land, to the same people : "Oh in truth I tell you, you should love your own enemy"

Little do they recognise, that this man was the Savior, their own savior.

He was exectuted ruthlessly, too.

...

And from my faraway island, I watch, and I surrender to these scenes of horror to which I can do nothing.

And I continue watching, but from now on I decide not to talk about it anymore.

But before I leave this subject, I want to share one song, the “One Love” song, from Bob the Rastaman who could feel it all.

"
Let us get together, to fight this holy Armaggedon
For when the Man come, there will be, no more doom
Is there a place, for the hopeless sinner?
Who has hurt all mankind, just to save his own
Believe me

One love
One heart
Lets get together
And feel allright

"

Song to my habibi

He came to me, he was crying
Just seeing him, melted my heart

And i asked him
Oh dear, love of my love
Are you wounded?
Is the World making you cry?

Come to me
Rest in my arms
Forget yourself
Just you and I

For you are my love
Heart of my heart
Your pain is my pain
When you cry, I cry

Close your eyes
And rest, oh dear
Sleep, dont worry
Trust me, I am here

And he fell on my knees
He vanished in my arms

...

Oh wind blow in my veins
Oh fire burn in my heart
For my habibi is hurting
My love is about to die

And so with one hand I took the World
And I shaked it up for my habibi

Oh magma boil the earth
Oh thunders strike the skies
Oh waves crush the shores
Oh rain flood the lands

And i wispered to the World
Oh World,
Do you think I created you..
to make my habibi cry?

And with my second hand
I was caressing my habibi’s hair

...

And when the winds calmed down
And the waves retreated
When the heavens appeased
And the land returned dry

The sun shone back again
And my habibi woke up
He opened his eyes gently
And rainbows filled the sky

He smiled to me
Oh he was bright
His eyes filled with light
He had wings to fly

He jumped back to the World
How he missed his beloved ones
I watched him shine
I watched him love
I saw him happy

And when my habibi is happy
So am I

...

Dedicated to all those who ever fell on their knees, to cry