Lie Flat
By Cherry Smyth
Love & Dialogue
Dialogue is the encounter between men [and women], mediated by the world, in order to name the world. Hence, dialogue cannot occur between those who ant to name the world and those who do not wish this naming- between those who deny others the right to speak their word and those whose right to speak has been denied them. Those who have been denied their primordial right to speak their word must first reclaim this right and prevent the continuation of this dehumanizing aggression.
It is I speaking their word that people, by naming the world, transform it, dialogue imposes itself as the way by which they achieve significance as human beings. Dialogue is thus a necessity.
Because dialogue is an encounter among women and men who name the world, it must not be a situation where some name on behalf of others. It is an act of creation; it must not serve as a crafty instrument for the domination of one person by another.
Dialogue cannot exist, however, in the absence of a profound love for the world and for people.
Love is at the same time the foundation of dialogue and dialogue itself. Because love is an act of courage, not of fear, love is commitment to others.
No matter where the oppressed are found, the act of love is commitment to their cause – the cause of liberation. And this commitment, because it is loving, is dialogical. As an act of bravery love cannot be sentimental, as an act of freedom, it must not serve as a pretext for manipulation. It must generate other accts of freedom, otherwise it is not love. Only be abolishing the situation of oppression is it possible to restore the love which that situation made impossible.
If I do not love the world—if I do not love life—if I do not love—I cannot enter into dialogue.
On the other hand, dialogue cannot exist without humility. The naming of the world, through which people constantly re-create that world, cannot be an act of arrogance. Dialogue, as the encounter of those addressed ton the common task of learning and acting, is broken if the parties (or one of them) lack humility. How can I dialogue if I always project ignorance onto others and never perceive my own? How can I dialogue if I regard myself a case apart from others – mere ‘its’ in whom I cannot recognize other ‘I’s?
How can I dialogue if I consider myself a member of the in-group of ‘pure’ men [and women], the owners of truth and knowledge, for whom all non-members are ‘these people’ or ‘the great unwashed’?
How can I dialogue if I start from the premise that naming the world is the task of an elite and that the presence of the people in history is a sign of deterioration, thus to be avoided? How can I dialogue if I am closed to – and even offended by – the contribution of others? How can I dialogue if I am afraid of being displaced, the mere possibility causing me torment and weakness? Self-sufficiency is incompatible with dialogue. Men and women who lack humility) or have lost it) cannot come to the world, cannot be partners in naming the world. Someone who cannot acknowledge himself [or herself] as mortal as everyone else still has a long way to go before he [or she] can reach the point of encounter. At the point of encounter there are neither utter ignoramuses nor perfect sages; there are only people who are attempting, together to learn more than they know.
Dialogue further requires an intense faith in humankind, faith io their power to make and remake, to create and re-create, faith in their vocation to be more fully human (which is not the privilege of an elite but the birthright of all.) Faith in people is an a priori requirement for dialogue, the ‘dialogical man’ believes in others even before he meets them face to face.
Nor yet can dialogue exist without hope. Hope is rooted in [humanity’s] incompletion, from which they move out in constant search – a search which can be carried out only in communion with others. Hopelessness is a form of silence, of denying the world and fleeing from it. The dehumanization resulting from an unjust order is not a cause for despair but for hope, leading to the incessant pursuit of the humanity denied by justice. Hope however, does not consist in crossing one’s arms and waiting.
True dialogue cannot exist unless the dialoguers engage in critical thinking – thinking which discerns an indivisible solidarity between the world and the people and admits of no dichotomy between them – thinking which perceives reality as process, as transformation, rather than as a static entity. – thinking which does not separate itself from action, but constantly immerses itself in temporality without fear of the risks involved.
Freire, P. (2017) Pedagogy of the Oppressed. London: Penguin Classics. pp. 61-65
Spoken by Dr Robert Morgan
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests,
In the cradle of history, where stories unfold, Israel and Palestine, tales yet untold. Amidst echoes of conflict, we gather today, For a Uniting Words of Peace event, let love find its way.
In the heart of the Levant, where tensions persist, Let our words be the balm, a salve to assist. In the symphony of narratives, we seek a chord, Harmony resonating in every spoken word.
Beyond the borders that divide the land, We stand united, hearts joined hand in hand. For in dialogue and understanding's embrace, Lies the promise of a harmonious space.
Let us be architects of bridges, not of walls, Breaking down barriers, answering the calls. In the mosaic of cultures, histories entwine, A shared destiny where peace will shine.
Now, a poem to echo through the ages:
In the shadow of olives, where the stories unfold, Israel and Palestine, tales in history's hold. Yet, in this shared tapestry of sun-kissed sand, Let peace be the language, hand in hand.
Jerusalem's stones, witnesses to the past, Speak not of division, but a future cast. A future where words weave a tapestry so grand, Uniting hearts in this ancient land.
Oh, let the words of peace be our guiding star, Brightening the night, dispelling shadows afar. For in the whispers of hope, where compassion resides, Lies the promise of peace, where love abides.
In this Uniting Words of Peace event, let voices unite, For in unity, we find the strength to ignite. A flame of understanding, a beacon so clear, Illuminating the path where peace draws near.
By Divit Gupta
Dear friend,
I know you have trauma and I know you are stuck,
I know you have pain and are not able to see
The cruel destruction of humanity
Bring back the hostages, cool the eyes of their families
This is possible and we start with you and me!
So here is a start of what I say to you
I hope you understand that it is hard for me too...
I am still your friend when I see children killed in the name of defence
I am still your friend
I am still your friend when machines destroy land, a community, a whole existence
I am still your friend
I am still your friend when there is so much death, pain and suffering
I am still your friend
I am still your friend when the hospital is besieged and eventually destroyed
I am still your friend
I am still your friend when they hold back water, food and light
I am still your friend
I am still your friend when the land is cleared ready for your people
I am still your friend
I am still your friend and hope you will be mine by seeing what I see
I am still your friend because I know you are not responsible and are scared
I am still your friend because I know we both want peace
I am still your friend because we were all born to be good
I am still your friend because you are strong and I need you
I am still your friend because we can be allies, a ripple that causes waves
I am still your friend because dividing us is futile
I am still your friend because I know you will help
Help me!
Help me!
Help Humanity!
By Asma Meer
Founder, Peace of Cake
Each Other
I look at you from every practical angle
and the more I look at you the more I know.
We speak to each other, share each other's feelings,
live each other's fear; hate from another.
We seek out each other's love;
I love you more than words can say, you know that well.
Some others cannot understand the way we feel,
cannot think the way we do.
They fail to understand their one another
as others cannot understand each other.
They are not us, for we have each other.
We were a part of them for oh, so long!
before we found each other.
You remember the way we were
without love and understanding.
The way we are now sharing and caring for each other.
Days gone by were, here no more,
full of sorrow without each other.
Optimistic in our lives of each other's existence,
days of future passed now are passing.
Love is endlessly searching our lives thoroughly,
every moment is an excellent opportunity.
There is no ending loving each other.
By George Krokos
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
By Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi
Translated by Coleman Barks
Look at Love
look at love
how it tangles
with the one fallen in love
look at spirit
how it fuses with earth
giving it new life
why are you so busy
with this or that or good or bad
pay attention to how things blend
why talk about all
the known and the unknown
see how the unknown merges into the known
why think separately
of this life and the next
when one is born from the last
look at your heart and tongue
one feels but deaf and dumb
the other speaks in words and signs
look at water and fire
earth and wind
enemies and friends all at once
the wolf and the lamb
the lion and the deer
far away yet together
look at the unity of this
spring and winter
manifested in the equinox
you too must mingle my friends
since the earth and the sky
are mingled just for you and me
be like sugarcane
sweet yet silent
don't get mixed up with bitter words
my beloved grows right out of my own heart
how much more union can there be
By Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi
English version by Nader Khalili
Original Language Persian/Farsi & Turkish
Peace
Peace is not rude or unkind.
Peace is the most essential part of mind.
Peace is to be devoted to
God, others and even you.
Peace is radiance and love.
Peace is the vivid glow from above.
By Alexandra H
Peace
Peace
is not the imperfection-finder
of the world. Peace
is the error-mender
of the world.
Peace
is the dream-beauty
of ancient dawns.
Peace
is the vision-dream-choice
of modern noons. Peace
Silences the nightmares of the mind.
Peace
feeds the dreams of the heart.
