Deepak Chopra - March 19, 2007
Mass media coverage has hammered home the impression that Iraq is a country of street people constantly embroiled in religious strife. Because of the dangerous conditions in Baghdad, Western cameras only go where the army goes. Now we can glimpse a different, much more humane view of daily life in the city, thanks to a video project known as "Hometown Baghdad."
To access the video, click on the link below: http://hometownbaghdad.com/2007/03/18/first-3-webisodes-of-hometown-baghdad/
In this documentary, made with the help of Iraqi filmmakers who have much more access to their own hometown, we see 1 and 2-minute snippets that seem to come from another planet. A mother cooks lunch and affectionately talks about her sons--a very ordinary scene except that you notice the modern house behind her, which is far from a ruined hovel. A dental student continues his studies. The violent side of life is never far away--another student shows us the place where a missile scattered the brains of a friend on the ground--but for the first time one sees reasonable, friendly, worried people who seem very much like us.
The tragedy is that most of the middle class has fled Iraq, taking with them the country's reputation for education, technological skill, and tolerant secularism (however horrific Saddam was, he bolstered two generations of non-sectarian Arabism in the country). The people we see in "Hometown Baghdad" are nearly mythical creatures, at least as viewed from America: moderate Arabs who would thrive under democracy and who are the last hope of their country. Such people also live in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. One only prays that they are not doomed in the future to being eliminated as the tide of violence rises. Their present life is tenuous, and very moving to observe.
Digg this entry
Add to Del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Subscribe
Posted by Deepak Chopra at March 19, 2007 07:02 AM
Dear Deepak,
Thank you it is important to show the picture of reality and not the false painted pictures (often presented by the media) that those with intentions based on ignorance would paint.
As we all know the (TV Radio) corporate media establishment is a member of the FEAR INDUSTRIES. Those that profit from fear used to create services and products, fear that serves as a distraction or attracts attention, and fear that immobilizes the people and generates profits from drugs taken in an attempt to deal with reality.
I would appear that some want conflict in Iraq because they benefit from it. As we can all imagine there are 98% that do not benefit?
Here is another thought, all these anti-anxiety drugs are doing major damage to the natural response and evolution of man as it relates to eliminating the cause of anxiety. Instead of the people taking action and taking over they take these drugs which does not solve the real problem. So we have a nation drugged up on anti-depressants which inhibit natural action.
Pharmaceutical drugs are a threat to the stability of each nation and the entire planet inhibiting a natural intelligent response and the will to take action against those elements causing system imbalances that lead to the anxiety, hopelessness and depression.
Our feelings and emotions are the indicators of truth, which are designed to overcome and signal the fictions of the mind. To bury the feelings and emotions using drugs allows the continuation of the collective lies that deprive everyone of well being.
Thank you all for being the impetus behind the development of new speech material to spark the global revolution.
Amen again Ricahard
It seems though that the majority of people are still mesmorize by the media. They believe they can trust whatever is said on TV. I have stopped relying on the news media to be informed. They are deffinatley a huge part of the problem. Sensationalism rules there, not reality, and keeping people dumbed down with pharmaceuticals only compounds the problem.
I truly believe we have the opurtunity to make a shift from a fear based society to a peace based society. I don't mean a Utopia. Just a society where we don't have to live with war and the marketing of fear. There is enough suffering in the world without compounding it with war.
I believe we have the awareness and consciousness to grow beyond the need for military might as a "defense". I believe at this point in our evolution it is becoming a stummbling block.
peace comes from peace
derek
It does not surprise me that, on the other side of the world, there are people just like us. The language is different and the customs are different, but they want a safe home for themselves and to provide in some way for the community and the family.
There is no separation, we are all the same. We must care about people on the other side of the world as they are our brothers and sisters. Our futures are linked, more so now than ever.
Dear Deepak,
I will be at a peace presence tonight in my hometown. I am grateful that I can go freely, without fear.
With love,
~ Kate
Hi Derek,
I agree - peace comes from peace. It starts with peaceful thoughts which will not interact with the conflict of its own content, and extents that process outward.
Love,
~ Kate
Will somebody adopt me!!!!! Darn modem connection, even this I shall soon not have; I cannot watch no videos.
O woe is me . . .
Aye doodleman, I briefly watched the local news this morning and all they are talking about is building more prisons or how to promote local businesses, as they cut to the diamonods r forever commercial for the local diamond dynasty salespeople and the commercial for this car sales extravaganga or that new furniture warehouse liquidation, blah blah blah; and of course don't forget the commercial for the lawyer who will represent you for this lawsuit or that DWI . . .
Then nationally the most 'questioning' news shows are Chris Matthews or Keith Olbermann: good grief Charlie Brown!!!
Cannot a brother get some airtime to really blast the powers that be!!!!!
Peace
Hi Craig,
Come and join with me in lighting a candle tonight
Please be with me in your peace and loving spirit,
~ Kate
Always Kate! Always.
Peace
Hello Deepak and Everyone,
We are going into the 5th year of the Iraq war and the saddest thing about it is that the freedoms and democracy that we had hoped would be the reality for the Iraqi people have, in fact, not happened, and, really, we do not know if it will ever happen, so this is a time of grief, for them and for us. We have not been able to make life better for them and it appears we have made it much worse.
The after effects of this Invasion have surprised this Administration, they thought it was a "slam dunk" operation, and, still, after 4 years, are trying to hold together a Nation that could crumble any second, this is what we have done, in the name of what? I do no know anymore, because it grieves me that our President and Vice President are the men responsible for this decision. They have chosen to fight an enemy that can never lose becuase it is in their dying that offers them their life. We are trapped in the vortex of their sickness like a spider in their web. In our ignorance we became their slam dunk.
Today, the President asked for our patience, again, and, frankly, I am sick of hearing him say anything, at all, anymore.
Today is the fourth anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq, it is a day of grief for them and for us.
ruth
You know what i think,
tonight, Deepak?
I truly exhausted my resources, there must be a lesson in that, i think,
made me think, she didn't..
nevermind,
nonetheless, I have this ritual, before,
tucking in, a meditation of some kind,
but that's just between you and..
;)
love, passion
The Promised Land
Yahweh gave unto the Israelites a land of their own,
so what of all others upon this planet who doth roam?
Are we but perpetual wandering strangers with no place
to call home?
I too want a Promised Land my people can call home!
A land where milk and honey freely flows
and where gold and silver are used for teeth and mirrors
aye, conductors enhancing our beauteous human potential;
like roughened diamonds polished for cutting edge technology,
instead of spurring bloody human conflict and misery.
Israel was to violently clear the land of false gods,
yet the kingdom of G-d within does not kill
for a star or a cross.
The Temple within us all promises a Paradise Lost.
Wherefore est our Promised Land?
The fruits of this world are for all to pluck.
This world and the bounty there-from
is not to be by some incorporated and cultivated;
this only leads to many being slavishly devastated.
‘Legally’ barring the person from the soil leaves all Untouchables.
Like a government biannually taxing ones’ property,
and enacting codes to better regulate you and me,
‘safety’ after all costs money so you better pray that you can pay,
or else your home they will take away;
and give to the realtor or bank who can afford the best attorneys.
Can six billion stand before the mountain of G-d?
Or is not every mountain made by G-d?
How then can a government or person say this is my lot?
Making another pay for a grave or a parking spot.
This earth is God’s how then can fleeting man make claim!
Abraham’s four hundred shekels of silver bought from Ephron
what? A cave for Sara and a field . . .
A repository of death bought with money avails posterity little;
but it does provide generations removed another battlefield.
Wherefore est our Promised Land?
Is it for the attorney who can afford to file an Alaskan land claim?
Is it for the soldier who will kill in G-d and country’s name?
Is it for the rich who have time to make another ‘lawful’ deed;
while the ignorant fight to toil on another man’s land,
or join the military to make money for their future.
Perpetual war provides opportunity for all,
and lack of domestic spending to better our fellow man,
provides jobs for the killers who come home,
to guard in prisons those who did not abide by the plan;
manufactured by ‘the man.’
Further dividing me and you. Not only is this a class war,
it becomes a cultural divide. Either one is a law-abiding consumer
paying their taxes and insurance premiums,
or else in this society they have no economic worth;
and you know what that means! They are dirt to be washed away
or locked in a prison kept away from those gates and suburbs.
We are physically in bondage to an economic system
in which if you play not to gain, or at least stay monetarily afloat,
you can go to the Mission and listen to the preacher man’s bullshit.
Christ saves they say!
But our Spirit does not understand why we must still pay to play
in this grand game of life. My Christian brother loves me
and says it is my spiritual impoverishment that renders me
an economically inefficient American; and here I thought
it was because I couldn’t afford the car payment and rent.
People are just too busy making money to live their Dream
of consumption and having more than the other,
keeping up with the Joneses leaves everybody benumbed,
at odds with the other b/c property rights need government.
This in truth is the greatest lie we have been told and sold
by the ones who own more than they can see, so much so
that they invent stock markets and futurities in which to
invest their money, depriving their brother’s physical needs.
For profit of course!
Where est the Promised Land?
In Israel where people fight for land and water
b/c Yahweh said so? Alas, somebody is getting played
as the war-machine keeps turning and generals and politicians
say, ‘stay the course.’ After millennia the game stays the same!
Lord O Lord where est thy Promised Land?
There was this girl, on this on-line Dutch dating, site, her text cracked me up, read this;
copy/paste, we'll keep her anomous, she's twins,
little chance, girl.. ;) but..
'..
When i was much younger i took studies very seriously and now I my work it taking too much of my time. I can proudly say that i dont
have a social life. LOL, anyways thats why i am here to meet that interesting man that will spice it up for me. Dont get me wrong i
have lots of admirers but i hardly pay attention to them cos i love to take my time to know someone. I would like to start with a simple chat session then a very intimate romantic encounter.
I DONT want men who dont know how to love, pet and (simply be romantic at the right time) I love attention and i dont want a selfish man that will allways think of himself in almost all things or place material things above me. I know wealth can fade away anytime bcos true love never dies.
If you think youre right for me
drop me a letter and tell me more about yourself. If youre cool i ill write you back. Who knows what will happen after that.... '
lol, she has a great sense of humor,
ltz,
I'm busy,
Love, passion
Oh, almost forgot,
A new book, Dr. Chopra, I've read, on the Q & A,
great, love 'em, i'll order a copy, knowing dutch customer service, it gonna take almost forever to get it here, and then there are gonna be screw ups, wich will bug the starlights out of me, but I'm not gonna get upset, with the natives.. again.. and it's gonna cost twice as much, but,
heck..
still havn't got further than the first law of love, yet, and..
;)
love, passion
Dear Craig,
I felt your presence last evening. I thought of you when I was standing along the bay shore, and the breeze was so strong, I couldn't keep my candle lighted against it.
To stand in peace with others and the special family I have come to know, whose son died in Iraq in April, 2003 - made me aware of what is most important. I felt connected and nourished by Love even when I started to feel the tears slip from my eyes.
~ Kate
Felt an urge to draw a picture, Deepak, for this, girl,
just in case..
Girl, life is good wherever! you are!
who's stupid..
it's a mind set..
What is the secret to..
Anthony Robbins asked this english,
Simple.. the reply was..
What was the question and what was the reply, girl, your homework for tonight,
love, passion
dear kate,
compassion, for your sharing,
if I may;
Met this dude in law school, IQ over 300 plus, biggest mouth ever! told me his story, about a buddy of his, died in a motercycle accident,
he went to a psychic, his personal conclusion, of the encounter with death;
'..it's like a videogame..'
Saw that footage of that 'friendly fire' accident, on CNN, and the reactions,
and the legal after, 'unlawfull' they called it..
go figure
love, passion
dear Marek,
catch my tear, and the smile
and you have
Me.
always,
~ Kate
Catch a hug, kate,
love,
marek
for the soundtrack; on a postive note,
the translation, ah sue me,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akyP9VI04Fc
and on a funny note,
had this friend today, he was screaming at me today,
'where's the Polish spirit!' ? !
dude, either you are insane, or..
were my (magic) thoughts of the day,
No disagreement on the princess, thing, though,
but maybe that's a male thing
love, passion
marek,
not sure you got my message on the other thread but it was a thank you for the Bruce song.
That's a nice one.
Bonnie
A Sobering Statistic
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the U.S. involvement in Iraq, here's a sobering statistic.
There has been a monthly average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theatre of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2,112 deaths.
That gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000 soldiers.
The firearm death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000 persons for the same period.
That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in the U.S. Capital than you are in Iraq.
Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of Washington.
Kate your words and strength are simply majestic; you are ever the gentle and loving soul. Indeed I was just standing out in the rain last night, just standing, letting it take me away. Regrettably I came to this morning; damn hate it when that happens. Nevertheless though Kate, G-d bless you.
Marek you remind me of that commercial with the bunny rabbit that just keeps going, and going . . .
You have a wonderful spark brother!
Bob. Wow. Well, you know that vaunted American ethos 'an armed society is a safe society.' Yeah . . .
Got the people brainwashed on so many levels . . .
Peace
Yo Bob Hellen
I think you forgot to factor in the tens of thousands of innocent Iraq citizens killed because of our presents.
Heard ie read ya, bonnie,
buzka,
marek
Melita, domi adsum
'Marek you remind me of that commercial with the bunny rabbit that just keeps going, and going . . .'
Craig,
bunnies.. indeed.
the things guys do for bunnies..
ltz,
happy hour at 10 this evening, the exchange students get younger with time..
One polish, woman, Deepak, tonight at the bar, she's into yoga, salsa, damn cute, but the thing was, is, that high squiking voice, i can't stand that! long term,
gotta get my ass back to poland soon,
i think,
love, passion,
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)One polish, woman, Deepak, tonight at the bar,
'Marek you remind me of that commercial with th
Heard ie read ya, bonnie,
buzka,
m
Yo Bob Hellen
I think you forgot to facto
Kate your words and strength are simply majesti
Thank you Chat the Planet for making these films, and Deepak for showing them. It's true, what we see on TV is most often those enraged, fanatical faces... but yes, maybe that's how we'd all look like if our own children were torn to pieces every day.
But I think even the media, at least here, is weary of that kind of perspective. I just read an article in my local newspaper - about an Israeli group called "Doctors for Human Rights". Forty doctors have been going to the West Bank regularly for the last five years, to give free medical care to palestinians living in unimaginable misery. In the interviews, they explain that there are extremists on both sides, but that they cannot stop common people from seeing the absurdity and try to do something about it. A lot of Israely hospitals cooperate with Palestinian hospitals, and they also take care of Palestinian prisoners...
I don't see how this spark of humanity inside people's hearts can be turned off. I don't think it is possible. I think madness can only be temporary. When the extremists on all sides of all the wars in the world wake up from the collective psychosis, like nazi Germany or the communist block did once upon a time, they will not believe they've been a part of the madness...