IN SEARCH OF THE SECRET OF PEACE

Dr. Tesfa G. Gebremedhin

West Virginia University

I believe many of us have heard the dreadful news out of Oakland, California. It is really unfortunate to hear and observe such a terrible tragedy take place in our own community. What is happening in our communities (tragedy after another) is a reality and shows that we are losing our cultural social values. Such senseless criminal acts will obviously have a serious adverse impact in the Eritrean communities. Taking the tragedy that happened in Oakland as a reminder, I would like to write a few words of wisdom.

There is an ancient legend about a time in the history of our people in Eritrea when enemies of the country created hostility among the people by inflicting conflicts related to religious and ethnic differences and regional sentiments. During this colonial era and even extended to the present time, the secret of peace (Selam) was severely abused and taken away from society and the people could never find it again. The big question was where was it hidden and where to find it? At that time period the council of wise men and women of the land called for a conference to discuss this critical question. During the discussion one of the council members indicated that the secret of peace could be buried in the dark depth of the earth and suggested that they should dig deep down into the depth of the earth and find it. Another one indicated that the secret of peace could be buried in the dark depth of the deepest ocean and suggested that they should surely dive into the dark depth of the ocean and find it. A third person indicated that the secret of peace could be hidden at the top of the highest mountain and suggested that they should even climb the highest mountain and find it. A fourth person indicated that the secret of peace could be hidden inside the thick forest and could be guarded by fierce wild animals and suggested that they should gather their young adults to carry their bows and arrows and search for the secret of peace inside the forest.

In their extensive discussion the council came to find that the secret of peace was neither buried in the dark depth of the earth nor in the dark depth of the ocean, nor even hidden at the top of the highest mountain nor placed inside the thick forest of the land. To find out where the secret of peace was buried or hidden anywhere, a few prominent members representing the council were delegated to go to a certain monastery located on top of a certain mountain and meet one person (perhaps a monk) to whose wisdom all life’s mysteries are open and clear and had a thorough understanding of the secret of peace. This wise person had devoted and dedicated himself and advocated his whole life for an ever lasting peace on earth and sea. After explaining the futile efforts made by the council to search for peace, the delegates asked the wise person where to find the secret of peace. The wise person told them that they should neither have to dig deep down into the earth or ocean nor climb to the top of the highest mountain nor search in the thick forest nor even travel a long distance to the monastery because, the wise person said, “The secret of peace is buried and hidden deep inside your body of every one of you. You could have found it if you had ever thought to look for the secret of peace inside your own selves.” Given the tragedy in Oakland, what is wrong happening in our communities?

To this day according to the legend, we have been trapped in our hostile environment and ended up developing deep-rooted animosity and enmity among us. We should be well aware that hostility and animosity among us can only serve to create fractured and dysfunctional communities in the Diaspora. Obviously, if we keep running back and forth across the earth – digging, diving, and climbing - in search of the secret of peace that we already possess within ourselves, we will keep bumping against each other just like the bird which when put in the cage flies against the wires in a wild effort to be free, only bruises its body and beats its wings into bleeding wounds in an unavailing struggle. However, if we learn the lessons and cheerfully accept that the secret of peace lies inside ourselves, then we have to dig deep down into our own selves to make peace with ourselves and with people around us and to explore our potential strength and inner glow in order to acquire, secure and bring the secret of peace to our communities.

We need to understand that if we are living, breathing human beings, we will have conflict or disagreement with someone. If we have an opinion on anything, we will disagree with someone and engage in conflict. Conflict is a natural disagreement resulting from us because we differ in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs, personality or perception of differences, and we interpret reality differently. Conflict is a normal part of life. Healthy conflict can lead to positive changes in personal relationships. It is conflict, not harmony that binds people together. Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding. Negative conflict can become very destructive and can drain energy from every one of us. Obviously, we should understand that we cannot avoid conflicts among ourselves because conflict is inevitable in any situation of our life and our personal relationships. Under normal conditions, most people tend to see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear, and do what they want to do; in conflicts, their positions and perspectives become more rigid, fixed and irrational. However, it is evident that each culture has a unique understanding of conflict. Some cultures encourage open and emotional disputes; others value strict politeness and very cautious disagreement. We should know that different people have different priorities and different styles in dealing with situations that may occur in their lives, but in general, we, as human beings, have certain characteristics that are very similar and common among ourselves - even across gender, ethnic, region and socio-economic lines.

It is evident that even a peaceful life cannot be without a measure of disturbance, and the word peace (Selam) would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by conflicts. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity. Life is short, and it is up to all of us to make it sweet and neat and live in peace. It is important that we have peace within ourselves for a purpose and make peace with others around us with a purpose because it creates harmony and serenity. Selam, meKseb ember kisara yeblan because peace curbs the tongue, that it shall speak no hasty, ill-advised, impatient words. We need to remember that hot heads and cold hearts never solved anything in life. As Mother Teresa said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Yet there are a great many of us who have not yet learned the secret of peace and still like to create quarrels and conflicts among ourselves. Our purest love and our deepest hatred lie very close together inside our body. To have the capacity to love and have peace with another person is to have also the same capacity to hate and have squabbles with another person. If our desire is to have peace in the community, we should be on the road under construction to build it. It may seem a dream or just a wish to have peace, but the dream can not become a reality by magic; it takes sweat, hard work, determination, commitment and cooperation from all of us. Thus, let’s seek peace in our communities and pursue it. Peace is like charity; it begins at home and becomes our gift to each other. Since peace is a virtue, the pursuit of peace is the work of a generation.