Dear Friends, 

A deep wound has been inflicted upon the body of humanity.  Now over a week old, it still bleeds with sadness, anger and fear. Real healing is needed, which can only be invoked by the clear thinking and massed intent of the people of all nations.  As the rescue workers continue to cut through the rubble in New York and Washington, so too must we cut through the overpowering emotion and reactionary thinking that has characterized the last week or so in order to see clearly the challenges that humanity now faces. Amid the many issues that permeate this tragedy, there are three that bear mentioning over and over again until this crisis is resolved. 

First and foremost, this is a human tragedy, not just an American one.  While America took the hardest blow, people from around the globe were struck down, apparently by a multinational group of zealots.  The underlying issues that motivated these horrendous acts are not simply Middle Eastern or American, but are deep problems of worldwide concern. We must therefore respond as the one humanity we truly are.

While the many displays of patriotism are an expression of our unity and resilience as a nation, let us not forget that we are but one nation among a larger global community.  Our long-term strength, power and prosperity comes not only from the values we hold and the way we treat each other, but also in our ability to stand in cooperation and kinship with other nations around the world.  No longer can isolationist tendencies prevail.  Let us place beside the American flag another symbol – the blue and white flag of the United Nations – and let them fly together as a symbol of world unity .

Second, the full resources of a united global community need to be directed towards stopping those who have inflicted this grievous wound.  Just as an infected limb is sometimes amputated in order to save a life, so too must the darkness that gave rise to these terrorist acts be removed in order to protect the long-term health and well being of the body of humanity.  Rather than immediately calling upon the military to do this, let us first wield the more exacting sword of justice through a worldwide criminal investigation, supported by international laws and courts.

While the eradication of terrorist groups may ultimately involve the use of military force in order to protect humanity from further suffering, this option should only be exercised as a last resort.  If all others efforts to stop the terrorists fail, then let our military power be wielded as a protective force, rather than as an instrument of retaliation.  There is a great distinction between using force to protect, and using it to punish.  If we are motivated by the desire to inflict pain upon others, we become the evil we so despise.  If force is only used to stop the madness and suffering, this cycle of evil is broken and humanity as a whole becomes the true victor.  Revenge will not heal this wound, but only inflict another, sowing seeds of further destruction.  In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind”.

Third, we must ask not only who did this, but WHY.  Attacks of this magnitude are motivated by something more than just simple envy or contempt for freedom as some have indicated.  These were acts of rage.  It is likely that deeper issues of religious intolerance, fanaticism and repression, as well as the inequitable distribution of resources, education and power lie at the heart of that rage.  While these horrendous acts of terrorism are inexcusable, the conditions within which they have arisen need to be addressed, mediated and ultimately resolved.   

The pandemonium and war rhetoric have died down a bit and further suffering has been averted…..for now.  But vigilance is needed in the coming weeks and months if the voice of reason is to prevail in the long run.  The three issues mentioned - global unity, military restraint and inquiry into the underlying causative factors of terrorism - need to become the major themes of an ongoing public dialogue of reason which will ultimately lead to a safer, more humane world for all of us.  We cannot count on our government, or the media to foster these ideas, and thus we are called to do so as individuals by whatever means possible.  Alice A. Bailey put is very simply: “Focused, determined, enlightened public opinion is the most potent force in the world".  By active engagement in an ongoing dialogue of reason we can help focus public opinion towards peaceful, long-term solutions, and thus become part of a unified healing and protective force that is very much needed at this critical time.

On September 11, the first response of humanity, at ground zero and throughout the world, was one of compassion and caring, heroism and sacrifice.  Our job now is to continue on in that vein, fostering that which is most noble in each other and anchoring, day after day, the reality of the unity and brotherhood of humanity.

With Love and Goodwill,

Linda Garrett