Dancing to the Rhythm of Peace
Listening today to songs about heartache and bad times on a Taj Mahal blues record (it’s the round black vinyl thing with thin grooves and a hole in the middle) somehow seemed apropos to the pain and suffering the Ukrainian people are being forced to endure. Even though I live far away, as a global citizen I realize that because we are all interconnected, other people’s suffering is also my own. And when we hurt others, we hurt ourselves. It’s impossible to build lasting happiness on the misery of others.
Thinking about this interconnectedness reminded me of a scene from my first book, Romancing the Buddha (3rd edition). It was about how our older daughter called from college about 20 years ago to ask me to purchase four tickets for our family to go to a Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert. I thought this was an unusual name for a female singer but followed our daughter’s instructions (the parent does become the child). Imagine my surprise when ten South African men in black pants, tennis shoes and loosely fitting, bright, yellow patterned shirts skipped onto the small indoor stage at the Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. The audience was electrified.
During a question and answer session, Joseph Shabalala, the smiling leader and founder of this wonderful a cappella group, explained that Ladysmith is the hometown of the Shabalala family (his sons and brothers are also in the group). Black refers to black oxen, the strongest farm animal. And the Zulu word mambazo means ax, symbolizing the group’s ability to “chop down” the competition in musical contests. I realized this was the same group that sang with Paul Simon on his Graceland album. Their vocals and unique, high-stepping, Zulu warrior dance style was inspiring, as was their obvious devotion to their traditional culture and to spreading a message of peace and harmony.
Upon returning home, Most Beautiful One and I sat down to perform our evening prayers. As we began to chant, I was struck by how similar we sounded to the harmonious singing of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I couldn’t help contrasting this with the destructive sounds associated with family and work discord, war, insurrection, and other forms of violent and inhumane behavior.
“Conflict and tension do not in themselves render dialogue impossible; what builds the walls between us is our willingness to remain ignorant of others. This is why it is crucial to be the one to initiate dialogue. Everything starts from there.” — DaisakuIkeda.org
When I’m feeling anxious or judgmental and try to communicate with others, I don’t sound like an ox — more like a hyena. And that’s how people react to me. Nothing positive comes from this lower life — condition. My family just assumes it’s because I’ve skipped breakfast and ignores me. On the other hand, when I’m filled with compassion and the desire to understand others, my voice can “chop” through someone’s negativity, building a bridge of understanding and harmony.
“Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war.” — Albert Einstein.
If we seek happiness from within, then external conflicts won’t defeat us. Rather, we can use challenges, pain and suffering to motivate ourselves to live, love and practice harder than ever…to really appreciate each moment of our lives as if it was our last. And to do our best to engage in constructive dialogue with others — especially those who have a different view of things. To become Black Mambazos of true humanism and share this happiness with the world around us.
Meanwhile, I’m sincerely praying together with you for peace.
