Notes from the Dialogue on the Root Causes of Terrorism

After introductions and a brief overview on current research on terrorism, we conversed about possible root causes. Some were economic drivers, some hopeless less, some lack of education and the desire to blame someone for that lack.

There were also examples of “I will no longer be part of this not any more” that made a difference. Voices suggested focusing on inclusiveness, perhaps a vision of what we want instead.

There were also long moments of silence and reflections.

After the meditation again, the group seemed reflective of the experience. A suggestion was made to perhaps begin a collective vision of a world of safety. The trigger questions could be something like, ‘what would a safety feel like to you’ and then ‘what would you do differently if you felt safe?’

When Peter joined we summarized some of the conversation and asked for his thoughts. He started by describing himself as ‘not a bottom line/results oriented’ person. He also said that ‘terrorism’ is a word that has no use as it comes from an imperial nation. It is a term used to denote this stance.

He also affirmed again that all commitment begins with an act of refusal and dissent. So he questioned the purpose of our conversation, it is to produce peace in the world?

Some of the other key themes he mentioned were:

• Do you want to work something out – or do you want to be right. For the later, peace is impossible; he usually suggest to those to get a lawyer.
• Certainty is the obstacle –
• If you want to create peace in the world, meditation together makes sense – that is where you find silence. One of his friends told him ‘if we say something, will it be an improvement over silence?’ Silence brings intimacy.
• Happiness, he defined as the end of poverty, which again he defined as the end of possibility, not end of money. Example “I am ding great and my life is a mess”. Happiness is to feel complete with my life.
• The opposite is consumerism – the belief that whatever is important to me can be purchased.

At the conclusion of our conversation, he suggested that we name what gifts we each have received as a result of being together; like a collective meditation.

We talked about continuing to connect of the internet.

To which Peter talked briefly about ‘possibility’. Possibility is an unrealizable future. It shows up when we come together. The internet is keeping the thread (of the conversation) together; it is a way of holding on and a powerful reminder of this connection.

So here we are – is there more to be said that is better than silence?