Editorial
The Winter Solstice Issue of Synapse provides an opportunity to examine peace related topics, from personal to global. We also include an article and some resources regarding the Y2K Problem, which we feel may affect overall "peace on earth" and is already affecting the "peace of mind" of an increasing number of people.
Our regular readers have been following the peace work of Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert, Dominican sisters who have dedicated their lives to the cause of peace. They are currently in jail awaiting sentencing for a nonviolent protest which took place at Andrews Air Force Base and have written an article and poetry from jail.
In a related topic, Julian Lewis discusses the reasons for closing the School of the Americas and reports on the recent protest rally at Fort Benning, Georgia, which she attended.
I have written about a topic close to my heart, quiet, as it relates to inner peace. And, we include a reprint of an article we found on the web, Sustainable Peace, written by Robert Gilman. He speaks about the root causes of violence, and offers convincing strategies for building a lasting peace on the global level.
We hear from our friends at the Casa Materna with an update on the situation there in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. They need our help and so we have included information on how to make a donation that will be used directly to help feed and house hurricane victims.
You will read reflections from two participants of recent workshops held at the Neahtawanta Center, along with information on upcoming yoga classes and workshops. The back page contains our annual fundraising letter. Many thanks to all of you who have already responded with a donation.
The Y2K Problem, or the Millennium Bug, as it's being called, is creeping into our consciousness and conversations. There are varied points of view as to how severe the situation will be. In reality, no one knows for sure. Lots of people think it's "just a computer problem" which will have little effect on our lives. What is becoming clear to some people is that the whole world is linked together by very fragile centralized systems that are vulnerable to many different forces, some of them beyond human control. The term "interconnectedness" is taking one new meaning and significance.
Many people see the situation as an opportunity to measure how sustainably we are living, and to make changes to become more sustainable. The folks at the Rocky Mountain Institute have written a thoughtful analysis of the situation, which we include as a reprint.
Bob's favorite advice for just about every occasion is most appropriate for Y2K: "Don't panic!" From what we have read, mainly on the Internet, the most critical element is going to be our own human response. If folks panic and decide to withdraw all their money, hoard food and other supplies, and arm and isolate themselves behind locked doors, the situation will, indeed, be a devastating crisis. On the other hand, if people respond reasonably there will be a minimum of disruption and suffering. At this point it seems that a reasonable response is storing some extra food and cash. But, most important, will be how well folks reach out and help each other through this difficult time. Neighborhoods and communities where people have already built ties of trust and friendship will be in a much better position to survive. Communities that have met and discussed potential problems and solutions will be able to work together more effectively.
Y2K has been compared to a tornado or hurricane, except that we know the exact moment it's going to strike. Unlike hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, Y2K is solely a human-created problem. Although there may be some environmental consequences because certain microprocessor chips become confused about which century it is, the ongoing cycles of the natural world will be unaffected. Plants, animals, insects, bodies of water, mountains . . . none of these will feel this shift. For me, there is comfort in that thought. So, maybe, the more we can immerse ourselves in Nature, the stronger our connection to the Earth, the less we'll feel the disruption.
Perhaps this is The Opportunity that will propel us to find a sustainable path, to reconnect with Nature, and to put down our weapons, literally, and live in peace.
Return to the Index of Synapse 46, Winter 1998/99