Peace is Possible
 
Dear Friends:
 
On September 24th, I went to a discussion at New York University, with Queen Noor of Jordan, Buddhist monk Sakyong Mipham and Rabbi Irwin Kula.
 
The discussion was about our times and what options are before us.
 
It was a funny, wise, and inspiring discussion, beginning with Rabbi Irwin saying: "In a catastrophe we overreact. That's fine. Then let's wait and see what our second reaction is." He recounted the last messages that were sent by the people with their cell phones from the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. Each message was one of love.
 
Rabbi Irwin also said that after 9/11, he decided he could only teach what would be useful to all people, not only to Jews.
 
Queen Noor told an amazing story of her husband King Hussein visiting each of the homes of the Israelis whose children had been killed by a crazy Arab and begging their forgiveness. She spoke of the need for reciprocity and action.
 
Sakyong Mipham spoke of waking in the morning and setting his intentions for the day. Watching Sakyong is calming and restorative; he is a wise and mischievous imp (who admitted he had been born Jewish).
 
The entire discussion is well worth listening to. Each person and each minute of the discussion were gems. It is an hour that is worth many weeks of listening to.
 
Peace is possible.
 
Diane Wolkstein
September 26, 2008.