EMail by RELEE: September 11th

September 11th

Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 09:47:39
From: Richard Lee <Realee@thegrid.net>
Subject: Dear Daralee

I hope all is well with you as we face this catastrophe [of September 11th] together. I have been silent because I have been bombarded by so many different and contradictory messages and "takes" on the situation that I am confused. My feeling is that we must forgive but we must also bring those responsible to justice. I find that people often choose one or the other but not both. I am also aware that exacting punishment is hard and dangerous and long-lasting. I feel I am basically following the Bhagavad Gita when Krishna tells Arjuna to fight in a war in which his very relatives may be his victims. The reason such advice can be given is that we are not truly the body that does the killing. Who we are is the witness of what is transpiring. And what we witness we witness with compassion. Compassion is not indifference or cowardice. It is not sentimental withdrawal. It is total and complete awareness, seeing from and with the heart, the heart of wisdom, the heart of God.

So now here I am loading you with words. Forgive. Silence is the better way, but even silence requires words to tell people we are in silence.

love, richard