Dear Nelson Zink,
I believe that you are referring to the shakuhachi newslist when you write
that "it appears that the 'terror' portion of the recent attacks has
succeeded. Intolerance, discord, hostility, etc. have dramatically increased.
My question is whether members of this list are representative of the
general population?"
I have been very active in the shakuhachi discussions thus far. Perhaps I'm
not getting all the messages that you are getting from other shakuhachi
players, but from what I am reading, about 4/5 of all the messages show real
wisdom, tolerance, patience and good will. I have seen only one really crazy
message--wherein someone actually curses another man for his political views.
This latter message, to me, is way outside of any authentic religious
tradition, including that of Sui-Zen. A couple of guys have walked away from
the conversation, but that may be because they are overloaded with feelings.
( I may need to drop out for awhile, as well). I have found great comfort in
hearing so much mature reflection among shakuhachi players. But again,
perhaps we're reading different e-mails.
I see no reason to focus on those who are filled with rage and taking it out
on innocent people, or on those who cannot tolerate different views. It's
part of Christian folklore that the Devil shrivels up when you don't give
him/her attention.
Just now I listened to a fellow Boston citizen on TV, the head of a
relatively small firm (1,000) employees who tried to tell us, through his
tears, that 700 people in his company were on the floors above the first
airline strike in Tower #1. They all perished. His love for his fellow
workers and his grief brought me to my knees. I hope that I can always blow
down the bamboo with that depth of respect and love.
Let's keep our focus.
Robert Jonas
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