Making Room to let go to love - from islam to missouri COllege Protest!

I read an article this morning about how science is dying in the Islam world and what caught my eye is this statement:

Educators and students in Pakistan have all experienced the awkward and often dispiriting classroom moment when one or a group of extremism-addled students begin to question the premises of scientific inquiry. In a campus climate where discussion and expression are often shadowed by threats to life and limb, few dare challenge the blindness and ignorance of such questioning. Often, the threatening tone wins the day.

And is was this last statement that really captured what I want to share for us to focus on today. 

I have been talking a lot lately about facing our fears and then moving past them.  But today it occurred to me why.

In the space left open by the fear now gone it is love that can replace it.

Not the love of romance or meekness.  Love that stands up to fear, intolerance, judgement, hate, anger, and the violent believers of (fill in the blank) belief.

Love that is SO strong it is unwavering in the face of any opposition.  Turning the cheek doesn't necessarily mean walking away.

It is fear that drives so much of the hate and intolerance in our world today.  But it is also the issue of power that is being negotiated in our world.  And if those who want a world based on love and not fear don't own their own power, we will lose to those making the most noise.

And I don't want to live in that world.

The days of being able to run and hide I believe are gone.  People are everywhere!  And if they aren't where you are, they have a multitude of ways to reach you!

Here is another view from the Missouri College Campus:

What is so interesting about this is how I think part of growing up is finding our power and this is an example of young people trying to do just that.  So in many ways it is good. 

And it is also fascinating to see how they use words and cameras instead of fists and weapons - but they are so close to getting physical!

This struggle of making room in our selves includes knowing how to manage our own frustrations within us and out in the world when we don't get what we want.

We can't let go when we are highly agitated.  The letting go of the fear, hate, anger, frustration we feel is a process we grow into.  It is rarely done in a moment.

That is why I talk about becoming who we are.  It is a process, it takes time, and it is rarely easy.  But the rewards are immeasurable.

We can't control how and when 'the other' will take their journey.  Only our own.  Which is why we are here!  Journey On!!!

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