Our ancestors, from all continents and cultures, handed down stories of our prehistory to wake us up to live courageously for the benefit of all. These stories remind us of what Humanity has lost: our original companionship with the Universe and God, the first songs and winds that engendered life and caressed Creation, the gift of living in wondrously lush gardens, unity between woman and man, friendship between humanity and the animals, universal harmony, and love. These stories tell also of our great early crashes: the first jealousies, the first power-grabs, the first crimes, the first upheavals, the separation between Earth and Heaven, our divisions, our battles, and our hate. In these stories, we are the main actors striving to overcome our pain, guilt, and shame and striving to re-attain our collective Humanity, Conscience, and Oneness.
Hurting from all we’ve lost, we should collectively and courageously have immense compassion for one another. Instead, however, hurting from all we’ve lost, we, as individuals in denial, tend hardly to think of the great sufferings around us. Hurting from all we’ve lost, we, as individuals in fear, run from suffering and run from people who are suffering. Hurting from all we’ve lost, we, as individuals lured by the pursuits of personal prosperity and status, give up on what Humanity has lost. Still, no matter how hard, fast, or far we run, there’s no escape from great suffering. Yet, as individuals we try to live like this isn’t so. When great suffering comes, in shock we try to hold on to our denial, but sooner or later our illusions are shattered, we can’t ignore what we have lost, and the emptiness of our lives reveals itself. Crashed and emptied, we may harden our hearts in anger and die inside, we may disengage even more from others, or we may just sweep what has been lost under some rug in some forgotten room and lock the door shut. If so, we’re just moving on as an individual and seeing our crash as an isolated exception to our otherwise “fine” and “normal” lives. Or, alternatively, crashed and emptied, we can courageously open our hearts in compassion, see the suffering that is all around us, join our tears with the tears of God, and engage our pains and sorrows with all our energy and effort. Being now awake, we can work collectively to create a wholly renewed world where nothing is wasted, every gift is shared, and every need filled – a wholly renewed world on the course of infinite joy, generosity, hope, understanding, creativity, openness, forgiveness, and love (see prayer). We CAN save all that each of us and all Humanity has lost! Great suffering has come to me too. My daughter, Gina, at 9 months old, was killed in an automobile accident on May 9, 1986. I’m shaking right now as I write about this crash. It still hurts and I’m still struggling for wholeness. About an hour ago, I reread some words from my journal, “Gina died for me. Gina died that my life and its mission might continue. Remember Gina, remember our canoe trip [a moment of incredible unity shared between Gina and I just a few weeks before she died], remember the people of the Bay Minette and Atmore areas [where we lived at that time] and all the people that shared our life then! Remember and live!” Courage is neither about being perfect nor being a lone hero. Courage is much more about being connected to one another and showing up for one another. I have seen astounding courage and enduring love in others, and these people have inspired me to pray with Gina and pray for Gina every night. I’m still struggling to live and to be the things that I’m writing about here. I hope my simple courage to share my thoughts, experiences, and stories will also speak to you. Moreover, I am gaining the courage and love to be in union with everyone and to join the great collective endeavor to regain, not only all that has been lost, but with God’s healing to live for much more as well, much that is beyond our wildest dreams. Carl Jung, a renowned psychologist, who wrote much about Humanity’s stories and how they embody our collective nature, also spoke of suffering, “I am not what has happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” Similarly, Brené Brown, a vulnerability researcher, says, “Own your story! Don’t bury it … If you own this story you get to write the ending.” Part of the Good News is that we can all start writing the rest of Humanity’s story! I must share about another crash too, a particular crash that occurred 38 years ago, today, December 1, 1974. Real people, 92 people who will never be forgotten … children, parents, students, soldiers, runners, artists … all fellow passengers … died in that crash on that day, TWA Flight 514. It is a great sorrow whenever people die tragically, but even in such crashes, like when my daughter, Gina, died, or when my mother died suddenly, their light can shine for us in new ways. The light of TWA Flight 514 and the light of all crashes can lead us toward our great benefit, toward our great hope, and even ultimately toward our great thanksgiving. As we, fellow human beings, continue on our journey in this life, we grow together step by step, and we seek to support one another as best we can. So today, on this 38th anniversary of this crash, I would like to make the following dedication to all those who died and to all their love ones: We are never alone! We are never without help! We are never without hope! |
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Category Archives: Crash
Fellow Passengers Approaching a Shared Crash
It’s been two years since I first posted about the crash (this link provides a detailed description my initial experience with this crash). Until now, I have just shared what happened on November 26 and 27, 1974. On that evening and night of November 26, I had been injured and had been in significant pain, but the central experience was solidarity. In those moments, I began to have visions of a disaster on a mountainside. Slowly, I began to understand that I was witnessing a plane crash. I was suffering with the people and our hearts were joined.
The next morning, November 27, 1974, I saw the note I had written to myself during the night (not that I needed reminding): “Is there a plane crash?” The 7:00 A.M. news was about to start and I fully expected to hear news of the plane crash. But there was no news. I continued to check the news each hour throughout the day. It wasn’t until 3:00 P.M. of that day that I heard something like the following on the radio:
There was a plane crash last night in Virginia. The plane had departed from Ohio and was en route to Washington, D.C. The plane was flying in dense fog and the pilot did not see the mountain in front of it. So the plane crashed into the mountain without warning. The reason this was not announced earlier is because the plane crashed into a site of a secret White House used in the event of a nuclear war.
The announcement above is not a quote; it’s just reflective of what I remember. Also I’m not sure the announcement said “last night” but I presumed “last night” because that was when I experienced the crash. Also I’m not sure if the announcement I heard said Virginia or West Virginia. Additionally, the announcement to the best of my recollection did not mention the departing airport location in Ohio but I felt that it was very local to me. At the time, I was in Worthington, Ohio, a town within Columbus, Ohio.
When I heard this news, I felt a deep sense of completion and was very satisfied just knowing that I had been with the people in this crash, in their hour of need, when few others knew of their suffering. Because of this sense of completion, I did not at that time feel the need to follow up and learn more about this event.
Three years later, as a college senior, in the fall of 1977, I was inspired to vigorously research human suffering. The research was not for a class, and at the time I was not thinking about the crash at all. I was just driven to use my spare time to read and take notes on injustice, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, the Holocaust, prejudice and civil rights, oppression, human divisions everywhere, various wars, the threat of nuclear war and other human-made catastrophes, … I kept this up for weeks and weeks until one night, with pages upon pages of personal notes all around me, I got up from my study table and began to pace around the room. Then, like the evening of November 26, 1974, I felt that God was coming. I stopped walking, stood in front of my notes, and kind of cleared my thoughts in anticipation of what was coming. At that moment, a rush of commanding insights began to flow powerfully through me:
The plane … we’re all in it! The whole world’s in it, everybody, all of us! We’re flying blind. Much of the blinding fog is our fixation on our own security. Despite being in the same plane, we can’t see each other! The plane … shaped like a cross … is our cross! We think things are ok, but we’re heading straight toward our mountain of security! We don’t know it, we think things are basically ok, but we’re going to crash! All of us!
Sobering, mind-numbing insights for a 21 year-old like me at the time or for anyone at any time. Oh my, oh, oh, oh … my heart was beginning to get it, all the suffering of all those people I was researching, far-away people, people removed from me in one way or another, other people too who most of the time simply fell through the cracks of my consciousness … but now a new reality … all people … the “fortunate” and the “unfortunate” … suffering was not so far off … ALL OF US … FELLOW PASSENGERS … approaching a shared crash …
But the powerful insights were still coming, more encouraging, hopeful ones now, just as mind-blowing, just as hard to accept:
God will be with us when we crash! Suffering with us! Comforting and healing us! God’s Heart joining ours! Generous, loving revolutions of the heart! And on the third day, there will be victory for all, a renewed and whole human family, joyously giving thanks!
I was shocked at it all, but, oh wow, I was getting it, we can win together! All this again brought a deep sense of completion, and that experience marked the end of that research effort and I returned to “normal” college work.
As my life progressed over the years, I realized that this future crash is not our predetermined destiny, but it is our current flight path. This sight into our future, like the similar visions of others, akin to the prophesy of Jonah, are warnings of what will be if we do not soon wake up, open our eyes, understand what happening around us, and do what is needed so that we can make a safe landing.
Yes, fellow passengers, the lively efforts of all of us are needed! We don’t have to crash! Practical, generous, all-inclusive love is such a preferable option! Let’s change our course before it’s too late! Time is generous but time is short!
Post notes:
- The crash is one of the most significant, revelatory events of my life. It is a core message that is part of who I am and what I need to do. It is also deeply remorseful and troubling. I still feel the pain but also the hope of those in that crash of 1974. Another event helps to balance this event in my life: the “key story” which centers on the love of God and the rebirth that is possible when we experience the love of God.
- Not unlike Jesus’ disciples, I do not understand the meaning of the “third day,” but the third day from November 26, 1974 was Thanksgiving Day, and I am confident that on our third day (whatever that means) of this shared crash, there will be an incredible victory for the whole human family by God’s healing where we will rejoice together. For a small glimpse into this, see this post about a dream I had concerning this great awakening that can occur with or without the crash.
- Today is the 38th anniversary of my hearing radio announcement concerning the plane crash. Such news reports on November 27, 1974 do not, however, seem to exist. I will discuss this and more in upcoming posts.
Noah and the Ark Builders
On Dauphin Island, I was deeply impressed by the attitudes and actions of two groups: birdwatchers and hurricane watchers. When I wrap these two groups together, I get a glimpse of a very old, old friend who believed in the value of others.
Noah loved people, his family, animals, and the Earth. He enjoyed grass, trees, fresh air, rain, and the beauty of the skies. Noah was in the habit of observing, learning, providing for the needy, listening to others, and sharing fresh insights. Noah’s epic courage, faith, and determination inspired him to prepare well for the Flood of all Floods. People laughed at Noah. But he remained so positive, that he rallied friends and family to help him build the Boat of all Boats. Noah so clearly worked for the benefit of all, that it was said that he walked with God and that he was God’s true messenger (see Bible and Qur’an). “At the Shell Mounds, Noah and I saw 10 warbler species and a scarlet tanager was hopping right at our feet! Nice talking, got to run, someone saw a scissor-tailed flycatcher at Fort Gaines!” The warnings are up – it’s a category 5 hurricane – little else matters! Like Noah, the islanders have let go of old spats. There are people to look after, everyone’s pets too, and time is of the essence! Community, family, survival – all is at risk! Like in the days of Noah, our future is in doubt, but we are the Ark Builders! Inspired by the birdwatchers, we, each in our own way, can learn to gratefully take in the beauty of the Earth! Inspired by Noah, we, each in our own way, can learn to protect all Creation’s precious gifts! Inspired by islanders preparing for hurricanes, we, each in our own way, can learn to put away our squabbles and work together for the benefit of all! And when we do, patiently like Noah, wherever we’re at, country, cities, islands … we will be embracing a future filled with rainbows and promises beyond our imagination!
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Birding and butterfly photos can be found at youtube video: Birds and Birders of Dauphin Island, Alabama | |
Dolphin photo above can be found at Wikimedia: U.S. Navy photo of volunteers |
Love Roars
Some of our most vital roots lie on the African savannah. Surviving the day means listening for every noise and watching in every direction. Days and nights are filled with care for our young, mother’s milk, and tender family love. Together we search for food and safety with sweat pouring down our bodies. At times the lions pounce on us, our blood is spilt, and we cry over dear lives lost. At night, stories, new and old, are told invigorating us to live longer and be victorious together. Before resting, we make music, dance, and sing:
“Play and get strong! We need you, we need you, we need you!
Spot the lion and bring us food! Give your life, give your life, give your life!
Run bravely through the grass and rise to the sky! Live in us, live in us, live in us!”
The Lion of Love is no idealist’s dream; it is wild and powerful. Surviving this day means rolling up our sleeves, throwing off our blinders, and abandoning the comfortable life to live with urgency for the benefit of all. Then through experiencing births, milk, sweat, victories, blood, deaths, tears, … we are caught into the organic renewability of the savannah. We embrace the giftedness and irreplaceability of each person.
One way or another, the hungry lion is focused on each of us. Every dominance, dishonesty, conceit, anger, and attachment will be laid waste. The hunt is on. The decisive siege has begun. But the lion is also a tender-hearted shepherd seeking out each needed lost lamb, “I love you, I love you, I love you, even if no one else loves you, I love you!” Love roars and heals!