| Each night, when I put my head on the pillow | | | | valid and worthy paths to God. I have in mind |
| and turn my thoughts to things ethereal, I am | | | | the worship of airplanes in the South Pacific |
| hopeful that the world is a little better | | | | ... seen in the sky as a part of a deity, the |
| place than when I awoke that morning. I hope | | | | primal mind is clear that the large object |
| that the dissidents, extremists, murderers, | | | | could not possibly "fly" unless it was God |
| plunderers, bigots, philanderers, cheaters, | | | | driven. And crashed planes on the ground |
| molesters and others of mean-spirit find that | | | | become sacred shrines. Totally believable! I |
| their chosen path is not a beneficial avenue. | | | | do not scoff at this at all ... in fact I |
| I hope they see that they themselves are not | | | | admire the primitive mind and its devotion to |
| truly benefiting from a mean-spirited | | | | an idea that manifests in their culture as a |
| philosophy.It is because I am addicted to | | | | sign of God.It is true that materialism has |
| Right Action and Positive Thought that I see | | | | become a way of life in our time ... witness |
| the Light shining on our sorry world. I | | | | even the Communist China phenomenon, edging |
| believe, with the very essence of my Soul, | | | | towards economic growth rather than communal |
| that mankind will evolve from the hate and | | | | existence. And the emphasis on wealth and |
| bitterness to a place of peace and | | | | position in our country is a well established |
| contentment. Admittedly, that hope requires a | | | | condition. None the less, the Spirit |
| very positive attitude!It is essential that | | | | prevails, and the burning desire within each |
| we learn to live with each other as those | | | | of us to commune with the God of our choice |
| of different religions have done for | | | | dwarfs the call of materialism. Everyone |
| thousands and thousands of years. A tall | | | | wants to do the right thing.Respect for |
| order these days with the conflicts | | | | others is central to the human condition and |
| precipitated by a shrinking globe, economic | | | | a basic tenant of rational and peaceful |
| competition, changing demographics and the | | | | existence. It is one of my pet peeves (I |
| convoluted social structures produced by | | | | should have none) when I see a human being |
| technological advances. That, in a nutshell, | | | | not respecting others. I believe that this |
| is a statement of the problem as it has | | | | lesson, which needs to be learned by many, is |
| existed for many years, now exacerbated by | | | | the root beginning of a peaceful planet. Most |
| the intensity of extreme views, turned | | | | certainly, on an individual basis, respect |
| militant.Spirituality does not require a | | | | and compassion are fulfilling, satisfying and |
| church. Goodness does not require a pew. | | | | rewarding. Respect for parents, ancestors, |
| Compassion and Right Action are part of the | | | | teachers and clergy ... all find powerful |
| Spirit. And if that Spirit can be bridled | | | | support as a virtue in the world's |
| within all of us, then the work of God is | | | | religions.The Alchemists of old worked over |
| being done.Politicians will tell you that | | | | many years ... centuries ... in their quest |
| geopolitical influence ... the territorial | | | | to turn base metals into gold. At least that |
| imperative ... is the | | | | is the popular notion. In fact, alchemy is a |
| | | | blend of science and philosophy. It has been |
| causal culprit for today's ills. Economists | | | | so since before the Common Era, when the |
| swear that if you trace any problem to its | | | | ancient chemists did attempt to turn |
| source, you will find money as the reason for | | | | inexpensive metals into expensive ones ... |
| the problem. Those are both half-truths. If | | | | but always with the underlying thoughts that |
| you carefully study the emotions involved, | | | | their work was also symbolically related to |
| you may conclude, as I do, that the major | | | | the perfection of life.Through the power of |
| factor in today's conflicts is the | | | | the Spirit and Positive Thinking, do your |
| intolerance of the belief system of | | | | best to disallow depression ... turn, |
| others.Clearly, religious differences have | | | | instead, to happy thoughts. Look for the |
| caused (and are causing) the disruption in | | | | Light, the "good side" of an issue. Visualize |
| the world today. Territorial and economic | | | | a happy and positive outcome of whatever it |
| factors are essentially without emotion ... | | | | is that is causing you some mental grief. I |
| religion is central to the Soul and | | | | promise you that if you think positive |
| devastating in its importance when extremists | | | | thoughts, they will manifest into the |
| prevail. It is only with the hope of | | | | reality, in ways that will surprise you.Dr. |
| Inter-religious Dialogue (IRD) that a | | | | Malkin holds a B.Sc. in Business and a |
| fundamental and permanent understanding can | | | | Masters and Ph.D. in Religion. He has made |
| be achieved. That path is long and difficult | | | | hundreds of visits to schools with a moving |
| ... but as the gentle fingers of night pull | | | | and effective motivational presentation, |
| back the curtain of dawn each day, new hope | | | | urging teens to do their personal best. His |
| is born, and each of us must make this world | | | | mentoring programs have empowered many, many |
| a little better place than we found it.The | | | | children. His quest for years has been to |
| primal religions have some bizarre examples | | | | teach the power of Right Action, working |
| at which we might scoff, were it not for our | | | | towards the goal of a better world.Excerpts |
| respect for all belief systems. And Dialogue | | | | from "Looking for a Better World" By Stuart |
| requires of us, if we are serious about it, | | | | J. Malkin, Ph.D. |
| to accept even these primal notions as being | | | | |