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July 31, 2006
Where Is Peace In a Time of War?
I'm in contact with many peace workers, especially in the Middle East, who want to be part of a larger movement. One of them, Ms. S--, wrote to me form Israel about her despair. She has worked for peace from a kibbutz and personally runs a radio station that attempts to bridge the Muslim and Jewish worlds.
Needless to say, M. S-- feels desperate and rather hopeless right now. Reading her first-hand account of what it feels like to stand for peace in a raging war zone moved me deeply. I wanted to give a few points that may help all of us who are asking ourselves, "Is it realistic to hope for a new kind of humanity when the same old aggressions keep coming back?"
1. Change doesn't start on the surface. It's generated from consciousness. This has been true throughout history. If Buddhism can begin with one person and Christianity with twelve, let us not think in terms of numbers and odds. It may sound grandiose to compare ourselves to great spiritual guides, but we act collectively, as an alliance. Our strength comes from critical mass.
2. We aren't here to make the world evolve. We are here to evolve as individuals and then to spread that influence. In the wisdom tradition of Vedanta, the stream of evolution is known in Sanskrit as Dharma, from a root verb that means 'to uphold.' This gives us a clue how to live: the easiest way for us to grow is to align ourselves with Dharma. We don't have to struggle to grow--that would be unproductive, in fact. The Dharma has always favored non-violence. If we can bring ourselves to a state of non-violence, and connect with others who are doing the same thing, we have done a huge thing to reinforce Dharma.
3. Societies get into the grip of their own self-created story. It's helpful to realize that we can choose not to participate in that story. Realize that national and tribal stories are limited, self-serving, based on the past, reinforced by orthodoxy, and therefore opposed to real change. Stories are incredibly persuasive. Wars are fueled by victimization that runs deep, for example. So let us not try to change anyone's story. Let us only notice and observe ourselves when we buy into it and then let us back away from participating in it.
4. Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to play a major role. In either case, all we can do is think, act, and say. Let us direct our thoughts, words, and actions to peace. That is all we can do. Let the results be what they will be.
5. Let us realize that engagement and detachment aren't opposite--the more engaged we become, the more detached we will have to be. Otherwise, we will lose ourselves in conflict, obsessiveness, anxiety over the future, and feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Keep in mind that we are pioneers into the unknown, and uncertainty is our ally. When our minds want closure, certainty, and finality, let us remind ourselves that these are fictions. Our joyous moments will come from riding the wave, not asking to get off at the next station.
6. Since most misery is born of failed expectations let us learn to minimize expectations so that we will feel far less guilt and disappointment.
7. We aren't here to be good or perfect. We are here as the antennas for signals from the future. We are here to be midwives to something that wants to be born. Good people have preceded us. They solved some problems and created others. As one wise teacher said, "You aren't here to be as good as possible. You are here to be as real as possible."
8. I know this sounds difficult, but let us try to be tolerant of intolerance. This is a hard one at times, but if you try the opposite--showing a hard heart against those with hard hearts of their own -- all we've done is expand the problem. It's helpful (but often difficult) to remember that everyone is doing the best they can form their own level of consciousness. Trying to talk a terrorist out of his beliefs is like trying to persuade a lion to be a vegetarian. All we can realistically do is seek openings for higher awareness.
9. Let us resist the lure of dualities. These include us versus them, civilized versus barbarians, good versus evil. The good, civilized people of Europe managed to kill millions of themselves, along with millions of "them." In reality we are all in the same boat of human conflict and confusion. Sometimes it helps to admit that the doctor is not far from being a patient.
10. Let's create an atmosphere of peace around ourselves. Imagine that we are like a mother whose children come home crying about fights at school. Would it be her job to soothe their wounds or to arm them for fighting back tomorrow? Simplistic as it may sound, the male principle of aggression can only be healed by the feminine principle of nurturing and love.
Love,
Deepak
Posted by Deepak Chopra at 10:32 AM | Comments (92)
July 29, 2006
Weekly Intent -- Intentions
Our contributor for this week was unable to send in something, so this week lets open it up. Feel free to post your "Intentions" for this week...
(And, please lets stay focused on such intentions.)
Thank you.
Posted by Intent at 11:10 PM | Comments (42)
Nadirah X on SMT-Cast
Our friends at Heart in Action Enterprises and SMT has sent this invitation.
On Saturday, August 5th, 2006 at 1 pm EDT Heart In Action Enterprises and SMT are proud to launch a first-of-its-kind interactive online talk show at www.sweetmother.org, utilizing the SMT-Cast™ platform. SMT-Cast™ is a new online tool that gives podcasters the ability to interact with online viewers via live video.
The inaugural SMT-Cast™ will feature up and coming Jamaican star Nadirah-X. Produced by multi-platinum pop legend Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, “Nadz" has brought her conscious lyrics and authoritative delivery to recent collaborations with Joss Stone, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart & Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics, and on the Grammy-nominated latest release from Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. Nadz is back in the studio working on her debut album titled "Ink.”
We invite all members to join us and be part of a Global Peace Movement, utilizing the power of technology, youth, and the arts to make a difference.
Join us for the inaugural SMT-Cast™
1pm EDT, Saturday, August 5th
Featuring up and coming Jamaican star Nadirah-X
Heart in Action Enterprises is a co-organizer of a Live Multimedia Interactive Virtual Conference with the theme of “Power of Technology as Used by Youth to Make Changes in the Lives of Persons around the World.”
Heart In Action’s mission is to empower and inspire today’s young leaders and nurture solid leadership skills utilizing the most current communication and educational technology tools available. In doing so, this enables them to achieve their purpose and realize their goals as they work to bridge the "digital divide.”
Heart In Action is dedicated to creating an avenue for university students and youth organizations not only in North America but globally to take part in our programs and make a difference in the lives of children and youth in the developing countries.
The "Digital Divide" is a major factor that prohibits families and youth in developing countries from enjoying the occupational and educational advantages of the internet. As the demand and dependency on information technology increases in our everyday lives, the greater this divide is felt.
Our goal is to create ongoing dialogues with youth and youth organizations on the Intent Blog. We invite members of Intent Blog to be part of this MOVEMENT.
Several organizations from various geographic regions have joined forces together and are hosting the Live Virtual SMT-Cast on August 5th, 2006 and August 12th, 2006.
Intent Blog, Chopra Center, Alliance for a New Humanity, Dave Stewart, NadirahX, Sweet Mother Tour, CSF Darfur, Heart In Action Enterprises, BeatBoard and Reel Youth Invite you to be part of this “global movement”
Out of town can watch the “Live Virtual SMT-Cast” by registering on http://www.sweetmother.org/
or find out more about the conference by clicking http://www.heartinaction.com
Invitation:
When: August 5th, 2006
Who: Nadirah X
Where: register on line to watch: www.sweetmother.org
Technology powered by: MidNet Inc, Heart In Action and SMT-Interactive
Featuring special guest: Nadirah X http://www.nadirahx.com
Moderated by: Derrick N. Ashong – Renowned Public Speaker
Register online @ www.sweetmother.org (FREE Registration for a limited time only!)
Media Press Release: http://www.heartinaction.com/docs/August%205%20SMT-Cast.pdf
Please visit us on the: Live Multimedia Interactive Virtual SMT-Cast. IntentBlog to find out about future Events.
Register for August 5th SMT-Cast(TM)
Register now for the August 5th SMT-Cast featuring Nadirah X and SMT's own DNA.
Simply register for an SMT account and when you return on August 5th, 2006 at 1pm EDT, log in and click the link provided on the homepage of www.sweetmother.org to join in.
If you already have an SMT account, just show up on August 5th and tune in. It is really just that simple!
Posted by Intent at 09:22 PM | Comments (9)
July 28, 2006
The Way We Do it!
Enter, double click, and
get married!
The following article in India’s leading newspaper The Times Of India caught my eye a few minutes ago. And I thought my mom was whining when she said where are the people in America? But even we haven’t done this here yet!
“Enter, double click and get married ”
Manjari Mishra
LUCKNOW: Twenty-four-year- old Aliza Alim made a coy bride-to-be as she entered the Taj marriage hall in Mansoornagar on Thursday night. The place was smelling strongly of attar and choicest Awadhi cuisine.
The venue was duly partitioned into zanana(womens”) and mardana(mens”) wings and was packed with guests and relatives just like any other marriage. Everything seemed in place for the shaadi(wedding) but there was a vital difference — the groom was missing.
Alishan Zaidi — the lucky man — was sitting in Dubai facing his laptop waiting patiently for the rites to begin. So was everyone back home here, inching forward to catch a glimpse of the first marriage by video-conferencing at least in this side of the country.
"It did feel a little queer to visualise a 'nikaah'(muslim wedding ceremony) without the groom (dulha nadarat tha, after all –the bridegrrom was missing)" confessed Ali Hussain Abidi, Zaidi's first cousin and the matchmaker. "But later everyone, he claimed, got into the spirit of the occasion and it turned out to be quite an exciting event.
This included even for the two Maulavis — Maulana Hamidulla Hasan and Maulana Liyaqat Raza. Zaidi an MBA from Lucknow, currently working in a Dubai based multimedia company, had got engaged to Aliza last month during his trip to the hometown.
The marriage was initially fixed for December but both the families decided to advance the D-day as visa formalities for Aliza were taking too long for comfort.
Talking to the TOI on Friday Aliza (now a Zaidi) admitted that she had not imagined that hers would be the first high tech marriage in the state.
The Loretto educated young woman, doing a course in fashion designing looked thrilled about her overnight celebrity status. "Why not, every marriage would not have a journalist talking about it", she giggled.
But last night, she confessed, she was scared. Specially when she anxiously looked at the laptop attached to a mobile phone placed in the centre of the room.
However the proceedings turned out to be fairly simple, informed her uncle Irfan Zaidi. The groom appeared on the screen and asked the Maulavi to carry on his behalf.
He also fixed the Mehar at Rs 14000 before saying the mandatory 'qubool hai'( I do). Aliza also gave her consent to Maulavi Hamidul Hasan before the 450 odd guests trooped out for the dawat.
"This is the second hi-tech marriage in our family", claimed Abidi. Alishan's aunt got married telephonically 15-years ago, he claimed.
Things have changed since then, says the prominent cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid, head of Firangimahal. Nikah rules have to be adapted to the changing time like everything else.
Posted by Kavita Chhibber at 03:48 PM | Comments (96)
July 27, 2006
Exxon Profits Big Time
Drudgereport features the above photo and highlights articles on Exxon Mobil's $10 Billion quarterly profit, and its surging stock price. Meanwhile, gas prices are soaring, there is war in the Middle East... What's the deal here? Can anyone explain this to me.
Also, I couldnt resist posting the photo of Exxon's CEO, as well. If I had to imagine what the CEO of Exxon looked like, I would have pictured the face above. He is a happy looking guy, eh?
Posted by Mallika Chopra at 12:25 PM | Comments (61)
July 26, 2006
Me
Sorry for the disappearing act. I've been around and been reading but have def had some serious blogstipation of late and not dropped pen in a while (I just made that up, meaning not written). Most of my time has gone to our new Virgin venture. Check it out: http://www.virgincomics.com
Feedback welcome. And no doubt, many will trash me as yes this is an attempt to build a revenue generating company. Shucks.
Never quite worked this hard probably because I was a spoiled a$$hole. Not really. Sort of.
Been unplugged from the news and don't feel quite qualified to comment as no doubt I will over-simplify things and sound ignorant. But wait, let me guess Israelis and Islamists not getting along? Refresher on Isaac and Ishmael necessary - hello?
More: I went to a Madonna concert last week in nyc. Seriously I'm straight. She's pretty amazing. Sat next to Kelly Rippa of Regis and Kelly fame. Have to admit she's kind of cute, in a white chick sort of way. I also chatted with Leo Dicaprio backstage. How's that for name-dropping? Neither said anything of any substance whatsoever.
What else? I'm going to India this weekend for a month! Looking for advice on where to for a weekend of vacation in the south. Fire away.
Ummm...Mallika informs me that the blog has been fiery of late - threats of lawsuits and all! Wow. Do I need to go see more strippers and tell stories to lighten the mood? Sorry mom-in-law - that's just a joke. Really.
Is the fact that the whole friggen country so damn hot just part of Al Gore's marketing strategy? I sweat a good 22 hours a day. Just wondering.
Can the Red Sox win the world series? That would be really awesome.
I drank a big coffee a few hours ago. It's now midnight and i am soooo not tired. wow.
Happy Birthday Leelu. Your Mamo loves u more every day!
gc
Posted by Gotham Chopra at 11:49 PM | Comments (30)
Mahesh Bhatt on Anupam Kher
Mr. Mahesh Bhatt who introduced me into movies with SAARANSH has written an artitce on me which has made me want to share it with my friends and well wishers.
The pitch black sky was suddenly lit up with a burst of thousands of multi-colored sparklers. The people on the ground gasped. It was a sight for the Gods to watch. The who’s who of the film industry gaped at the continuous burst of fireworks with child-like glee.
“Your life is like this burst of fire crackers. For a moment you will light up the sky but then it will burn out and darkness will return and the world below will wait for the fresh burst of light to eliminate this darkness…”, I remember saying to Anupam Kher at a grand Film fare function being held by the pool side of the Centaur hotel in Juhu a few years ago.
With lightening speed my message hit him. He looked bewildered. This was no way to treat an actor who had just burst on to the landscape of the Indian entertainment industry with a bang, and had thereafter consolidated his position year after year with film after film which won him national and popular awards. “Why are you saying this to me at a moment like this Bhattsaab?” asked Anupam Kher, not being able to comprehend the motive behind my statement. Why he wondered, was I introducing the idea of a certain end in this night of celebration just when his career had touched an all time high? After all it was the night when he had won the 5th Film fare award in a row which is a feat achieved by few. Like a responsible parent I was just preparing this young, magnetic Kashmiri pundit who I had discovered in my enduring classic ‘Saaransh’, to arm himself against the inevitable. It was difficult for Anupam to comprehend what I was preparing him for because success blinds you. It makes most intelligent people feel like they’ll never fail. Anupam was intoxicated by his success and it was my duty to train him to face defeat.
I sincerely believe that if failure brings us to the ground, it also makes us face the nitty gritty and makes us look at things as they are sans the glitter. In life, and particularly the movies, success cannot last for ever. Everyone’s time runs out. But the joke is that most of us in the film business claim that we understand this unchangeable truth, yet deep within ourselves we feel that perhaps we might be the exceptions who will go through life without experiencing defeat. And Anupam too, like the rest of us, believed this.
And then one day, as all stories go, he saw the tide of success turn back, and that is where he learned the lesson that one should never take anything for granted, because in life ‘Kuch bhi ho sakta hai’. Success solidifies you; it makes one hungry and pine for more and more. But it is in great failure that you find great success. Anupam proves this philosophy by unflinchingly looking at his life in his one actor play ‘Kuch bhi ho sakta hai’ with great depth. I’ll never forget the expressions on the faces of the who’s who of the film industry watching Anupam Kher bear his life and his soul to the world. The child like innocence and sage like wisdom with which he revisits the moments of great failures in his life leaves the audience spell bound.
It is while watching this brave play that you realize what the defining core of this extraordinary Indian actor is, who has audacity and energy which can be matched by very few in Bollywood. In the course of the play when Anupam Kher, with heart breaking simplicity, acknowledges the contribution of all those people to his success, you wake up to the feeling of gratitude which has disappeared from our social life. To me he says it all when he says ‘If life is a battle of Kurukshetra and I am the questioning Arjun, then Mahesh Bhatt to me is Krishna.’
It is hardly surprising that whenever and where ever Anupam Kher performs this play the audience bursts into applause when he says this. The reason they do this is because they can clearly see his monumental generosity in acknowledging his mentor, which even they perhaps somewhere in their private lives are failing to do.
Through ‘Kuch bhi hota hai’, Anupam Kher embraces life. It’s a boundless embrace in which he leaves nothing and no one out. This great actor who dwarfed the world by his performance in ‘Saaransh’ tells the world that any attempt to squirm away from pain only leads to more pain. To be honest the Anupam Kher post his failure is a far richer and a far more generous person than the one who I had tried to converse with at the peak of his glory.
To me Anupam Kher is much more than an actor. Essentially he is a teacher. Even though he gives me the status of a guru I have no hesitation in saying that I have learned so much from him. The manner in which he responds to a scene when it is read out to him and thereafter makes everyone on the set become a participant in that scene spotlights his creed that says no significant work can come from any actor or individual without group support. “Film making is a collaborative art form. It should bring the unit closer by the end of the day” he said to a self obsessed actor who was only concerned about his own performance in a scene. “I am a better teacher than an actor Bhattsaab” he once told me during the making of ‘Saaransh’. No wonder today the 28 year old actor who came to my door step looking for work has himself become a teacher. The Actor Prepares acting school run by Anupam Kher from Juhu in Mumbai, is fast becoming an institution of sorts which gets students from all over the world. I was delighted to discover in one of my visits to the school that he attracts students from New York, Bradford, Pakistan and from the villages of Bihar. Today he is completely devoted to teaching. One can gage how dependable his acting school has become from the fact that I have sent my own son Rahul Bhatt to the acting school to be groomed. The hopefuls who come to me with a thirst to become f