Terrorism Strikes America:
A Spiritual Perspective
By Stephen Knapp
Once I realized that what I was watching on television was not science fiction or some kind of action movie, the significance of it set in. The terrorists that hate America so much and have tried to strike it in a significant way finally succeeded. I knew that the devastation and the numbers of lost people would be more than any of us could bare. The scene as a whole was beyond description. It was unbelievable to see how those passenger jets flew directly into the trade towers, and then to watch the towers fall. To consider the immense number of deaths, and those that were injured, and number of people who would also be in pain by the loss of their loved ones, or live in fear because of this tragic and evil event, is enough to make any sensitive person faint under the weight of such thoughts. This will make the date of September 11, 2001 always be remembered.
However, I also realized that this action by the terrorists was like throwing a big stone at an even bigger bee hive. When you hit a bee hive with a stone, once the bees get over the shock, they get agitated, and then you better run. Similarly, I knew that once Americans get over the initial shock of this event, they will be angry, and then the perpetrators better run. And that is what is happening now.
In this case, the downing of the World Trade Center towers was more than people can tolerate. Americans have tolerated many smaller attacks on them or their property in the past. And although the attacks were bothersome, and the deaths were criminal, Americans still endured it and waited to see what would happen next. But not this time. In fact, the sorrow that has been displayed throughout the world at this event has shown that this criminal act has been too much. It has gone too far. Now there is and will be a strong backlash at this great darkness and evil in the world.
Why did such a tragedy have to happen? That's a question that many people
have asked, and there are many ways to look at it.
FROM A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE we need to understand that America's destiny is to show the way toward unity between everyone, regardless of background. It has not been a smooth ride toward this destiny. And there are still those whose consciousness is not so refined to be able to see our similarities, and still focus on our superficial differences. Yet, the American society in general is growing toward this awareness, this spiritual understanding.
In this regard, this attack has stirred the unity of all Americans and has contributed to breaking down the barriers of ethnicity and creeds or faiths. This may certainly help bring us all closer to each other as a nation, and closer to establishing a better understanding between us all, and nearer to bringing about a divine spiritual culture. This would be a culture of freedom, peace, understanding, cooperation, and spiritual upliftment for all.
Nonetheless, when we ask "Where is God in all of this?" we must understand that the attack on the U.S. was a result of evil. And evil is only the absence of God, just as darkness is only the absence of light. As soon as this event took place, the kindness and plan of God immediately comes into play. Maybe such a display of evil makes the plan of God more obvious, and how we should be more cooperative and in tune with that plan becomes clearer. This is the way there is always some good in any situation, regardless of how awful it may seem. God does many things in only one move, or one act. And so many things have now been accomplished or put into position for numerous positive changes, not only in the nation but within the psyche of innumerable individuals around the world. This shocking event has forced many of us to take a different look at everything. The world is forever changed. In this way, there is hope for a new vision, a new awareness, a new spirit of cooperation and view of each other.
In this new vision, we can see that God is found in all the acts of care and concern in each person. All the kindness, consideration, the prayers, the donations, the heart felt love that is now more prevalent than ever, is all part of our spiritual nature. When we consider all this, we can see that God is everywhere. We simply have to be more willing to keep this spiritual renewal in our hearts and minds.
The tragedy itself has made us more humble before God. It makes us realize our vulnerability, both individually and nationally. It makes us realize how fragile life can be, and helps separate what is superficial and what is most important, and to realize that tomorrow is never promised to anyone. That is why we must always cling to God and be ready for anything. It is events like these that reminds us of how temporary things of this world are. It has forced a voluntary renewal in our spirituality. And by renewing our spirituality as individuals will certainly help renew our spirituality as a nation.
But why did so many have to die, you may ask. What do we do for them? Here we have to remember that the soul, our real identity, never dies. It goes on eternally. Death is a soul's change of focus from one plane of existence to another. The legacy of those departed is the renewed unity found in us survivors, and the reason to work together more closely than ever. It shows the reason why we must shed our hatred and unfamiliarity with each other. Their legacy is that this has brought us together in a mood of solidarity, the likes of which we have not seen in decades. It has reawakened us to our dependency on God and His protection.
We have to understand that in this sort of tragedy, no one is sacrificed in vain. The Lord of all casts aside no sincere soul, regardless of caste or creed, for all paths point toward the same one God. There is always a purpose behind everything, whether we understand it or not. All those people who died obviously played a part in God's plan. Thus, they have not left us, but only gone on before us. So let us give them our blessings and pray for their safe journey to higher realms. Let God bless and guide all those who have departed from us.
This event shows how well the world moves when we cooperate, when we acknowledge our need for each other and also our joy at being needed or giving to a higher cause for helping others. We can see it in those who gave blood, those rescue workers, or those who died while searching for or trying to help others. New York City and all of America has shown that, as has the support from all around the world. This is the legacy of those we've lost in this catastrophe. This is their gift to us. Let us keep this gift precious so it doesn't take another tragedy or loss to again reawaken ourselves to how special we all are.
This display of evil against America was a display of the utmost cruelty and wickedness. It is in no way a display of one's allegiance to God, but a show of hatred for one's fellow man, only because a section of society seems different. This is a spiritual blindness. Let us not follow in their ways of being oblivious to the unity and Divinity within all of us.
Let us also remember as we face this predicament that our greatest strengths
and developments are often revealed through our most difficult challenges.
Therefore, because of the attack on the World Trade Center, an attack on
America, we will come ever closer to see the real potential and manifestation of
the destiny of this great nation and its leadership. It will show the world the
exceptional possibilities of real cooperation and understanding in a
multi-cultural society. It shows everyone the unity that can come from a
spiritual renewal and reawakening. There is no greater time for the spiritual
leadership of this country to step forward and to lend a hand. Therefore, let us
allow ourselves to say a prayer.
OUR PRAYER:
Our dear Lord, knower of everything and comforter of all, we pray for the dead so that they can be escorted to higher realms by Your guiding light. We pray for the well-being of the injured, the survivors, and the families who have lost loved ones, that they may be soothed by Your grace. Let us become free from the shock and sadness that this sudden change has caused.
Kindly guide our leaders to make the right choices as they work to rid the world of this great evil that threatens the free society. Help them come to terms with understanding how to not jeopardize the lives of others but make a focused campaign only against the wrongdoers. Help the volunteer workers and rescuers, those who donate money, and all who give their time and prayers to get us through this tragedy. Let the light of love, hope and upliftment shine forth and fill the world with Your grace, beauty and power. Let everyone see the sense of living in peace and cooperation. Before we attack or criticize others, let us see our own faults which we must route out. Let us work on cleansing our own minds and purifying our own hearts, and then extend that encouragement to others.
Let us turn hate to love, enmity to friendship, strangeness to familiarity, greed to generosity, war to peace, and fear into hope. Let us pray for the good of all, knowing that all could be good and righteous by seeking Your presence and Your guidance, and not merely showing one's allegiance for a particular religion by hating all others. Let us grow with these challenges, finding strength in You, our eternal Lord. May You protect us in all directions, and guide us through whatever difficulties that appear in our lives.
In conclusion, let us offer our respects to God, and let Him kindly vanquish
our demon-like desires for selfish or fruitive activities in this material
world. Please, dear Lord, appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so
that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this
temporary realm. May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all
envious persons be pacified. May all living beings become calm by practicing
devotion to You, for by accepting such service they will realize Your Divinity
in each and every person, and thus think of each other's welfare. Therefore, let
us all engage in the service of the Supreme Being, Lord Sri Krishna, and always
remain absorbed in thought of Him. (Bhag. 5.18.8-9)
Other articles to read in connection with this are:
"When Religions Create Divisions and How to Avoid It,"
and "World Peace is a Possibility," at: http://www.stephen-knapp.com.
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