Go Into Peace

I met a man from Bethlehem. We talked abut religion and politics. Despite very different backgrounds and different faiths our views aligned quite well. We both believe in sharing our thoughts. We both believe in living as fully, as honestly, as piously as we can. We both believe in peaceful coexistence. We both believe in giving ourselves a break. We both believe in giving others a break. He, too, is a seeker.

I have the great good fortune to meet quite a few people who share this mindset. These are people who crave information, they strive towards wisdom. They yoke their minds to a higher plain of existence. More people are becoming keen on this idea. I’m not sure why. Is it the speed of which information is shared in today’s world? Is it the prevalence of crime and war and hatred that sends the sensitive running into the street to preach peaceful coexistence? Is it simply that because this is something on my mind that I attract like-minded people? I don’t have an answer.

But I do have a point.

A number of months ago, and American tried to tell me that one of the beliefs of Islam is to wipe out all non-Muslims. I didn’t believe it at the time, but I have been looking for someone who could definitively debunk what I heard. I told the man from Bethlehem the story. The hurt in his eyes was clear. I asked him to please confirm for me that in no way, shape or form does the Koran say this. He assured me that what I had heard was absolutely wrong. He continued to explain the word “Islam”; “Salam, peace” he said. “Islam, to go into peace.” We had a long discussion about peace and respect for differences.

I don’t think Europe is getting the same type of propaganda the Americans are getting, so this is directed more towards people of the USA gobbling up Fox News like strained peas. Do not for one second think that Muslims are trying to attack you because you are non-Muslim. Yes, there are fanatics out there that are caught up in a frenzy of greed and politics, they may happen to be Muslim. But in the true sense of the word 'Islam', such people have long ago abandoned their faith.

Have confidence that there are seekers of all faiths all around the world, join in conversation with these people, share your ideas, accept the differences and maybe one day we can chip away at the mountain of misinformation which spawns hatred and leaves so many people dead, wounded, orphaned and alone.

In the “real” world, today was a travel day. Yes, at last, I have wrenched myself from Vientiane to head north towards Luang Phrabang. I prefer to break the journey into two legs, stopping in Vang Vieng, halfway between the two cities. It is a beautiful town on the Nam Song (Nam means ‘river’, Song means any of the following: monk, pants, trousers, mix, brew, support, send, transmit). Although Vang Vieng is a somewhat sordid place – a Koh San Road of Laos – the scenery is stunning so I enjoy the stopover. Also, the 9 am bus leaves sometime around 1pm, so the idea of getting to Luang Phrabang after dark does not interest me. Instead, I have plenty of time to write a quick blog entry and enjoy myself.

I am looking forward to a peaceful night on the River of Transmitting a Monk, his Brew and his Trousers.