In his eloquent book, “The Unconquerable World,” author Jonathan Schell traces the grim and brutal history of warfare. A core notion of the book is that war has become unwinnable in the settling of disputes. Due to the evolution of nuclear weapons and the mutual annihilation inherent in their use, the reliance of politics on violent means throughout the centuries is called into question. While tracking the evolution of violence, Schell reveals a simultaneous force, moving in counterpoint to the martial system; a tradition of non-violence, born of the world’s spiritual traditions. Like a sort of “shadow” river, flowing beneath the turbulent surface of the historical ocean, this force has been more persistent than we might suppose. Indeed, our United States constitution was created from tributaries that tapped the ancient river of peaceful means. Its principles form a cauldron within which we are scorched in the flames of our mistakes, yet blessed with the freedom to correct ourselves. Most of us sense that violence, as a means to settle our differences, has run its course. We sense, urgently, that in order to supersede global disasters, we must learn to think and act differently. Enlightened leaders claim that the age-old dream of a more peaceful world begins with individuals. They implore us to look into the mirror–-into our hearts–-and be honest about what we see. They invite us to live in the moment. To stay awake to the notion that, in the deepest strata of life’s mysteries, the others are us and we are them. To engage this awareness in good faith is to empower the ancient river–-to dissolve our mistakes in new choices–to construct new reality from old dreams via hearts and minds.
Debate: Is Islam a Religion of Peace?
Most of us understand that Islamic terrorism proceeds from an extremist branch of Islam. The vast majority of 1.6 billion Muslims around the world live in peace through moderate interpretations of Islam. Imams consult with our pastors (and vice versa) to share common bonds of humanity.
Read MoreWe Can Protect Freedom AND Defeat Terror?
The attacks in America on September 11th, 2001 ignited an era of extreme reaction, still reverberating today. Not only was the American public convinced to support attacking the wrong enemy in Iraq, costing an estimated half million lives, but in the extreme policy measures adopted in the wake of the attacks, each citizen became a terror suspect. Knee-jerk policy reaction is not sober action. It mimics the extremes of its enemy, misses the mark, and we will never defeat the enemy by mirroring the it.
Read MoreAlfred Stieglitz
Alfred Stieglitz led the photography fine art movement in the United States and became renowned internationally for his advocacy, as well as his photographs.He was also an art dealer, publisher and promoter of other photographers and painters, including John Marin, Arthur Dove, Paul Strand and Georgia O'Keeffe. Edward Steichen was a close colleague and friend (until they had a falling out.)
Read MoreMalala Wins Nobel Prize
The little girl who was shot point blank by the Taliban as she rode a bus home from school in Pakistan became in 2014 the youngest Nobel Prize winner at the age of Seventeen. Malala Yousafzai grew up the Swat Valley in North-West Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan. Her community was shattered by the Taliban, who destroyed girls' schools, among other brutally oppressive deeds. Malala lived in a neighborhood where women were beaten for such offenses as an ankle accidentally showing under a burqa; people were shot, hanged and beheaded for violating Taliban laws. But this little girl would simply not allow her fear to control her actions.
Read MoreJFK: On the Role of the Artist
For inspiration, there's nothing quite like hearing John F. Kennedy speak. If you're an artist, or simply appreciate art, listen to this October 1963 SPEECH that JFK delivered at Amherst College, Massachusetts, in honor of the poet Robert Frost, who had died in January of that year. While honoring one man in the speech, Kennedy honors at once all artists, all truth, and the nation.
Read MoreEnhanced Interrogation
The Bush era calls for continuing reflection, not least upon the Enhanced Interrogation Techniques implemented by the CIA to break down detainees during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The complex arguments for and against the program are clarified in this stirring 2009 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The testimony of academics and government servants encountered here will provide new insights to anything seen in the news.
Read MoreNelson Mandela
The entire country of South Africa seemed to be united in mourning with the passing of their "father," Nelson Mandela. Mandela's life, decency and leadership skills recall the wisest advice about keeping the courage of our convictions.
Read MoreIndependence Day
Independence Day invites reverence for the freedoms by enjoy, bestowed by our founders. Somewhat under the radar is one poignant story concerning two of them: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They each signed the Declaration of Independence, were political friends turned political enemies, and both died the same year --on the same exact day, which happened to be July 4th.
Read MoreArt of the Middle East
We are so inured to the socio-political matters of the Middle East, we seldom stop to wonder about its artists and creators. This must-see blog is refreshingly devoted to brilliant artists, curators and exhibitions from Abu Dhabi and Amman to Tehran and Zurich.
Read MoreNational Defense Authorization Act
For the last two years, in 2012 and 2013, The National Defense Authorization Act has included language that puts our constitutional rights at risk. The sections in question grant extraordinary latitude to the executive, who may choose at any time to undermine the rights of American citizens.
Read MoreGhetto Celebrity (Contours Podcast)
If you love to hear new important voices, or you've ever endured the creative struggle, listen to this podcast. It will touch bone.
Read MoreSongs of War
Many Americans realize that during the Viet Nam War, music was blasted from speakers in an attempt to subdue the enemy on the field. But how many of us know that music was co-opted by the CIA's "Enhanced Interrogation" program installed during the Bush administration?
Read MoreSecrets of Body Language
How can we discern when people are being truthful, or false? Expert coaches and trainers of high profile clients are featured in this footage of world leaders, celebrities and other public figures, illuminating the powerful signals revealed by body language.
Read MoreThe End of War-2 (Contours Podcast)
Humankind created war, and is therefore capable of ending it. This is the daring theme of science scholar John Horgan's new book, "The End of War." In Part 1 of my podcast interview with Horgan, he discussed evidence that human warfare has existed for only the last ten thousand years: a blip on the historical screen of human history.
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