Great Silence and Darkness – War and Peace in Our Time
Great Silence and Darkness
War and peace in our time is a daily concern for all. War is no longer something from the past or that may happen in the future – it is happening now, today in our world – and there is a great silence, for not enough voices of the people are speaking out to stop it.
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Ragnarok, When Great Silence and Darkness Covered the Land
A great silence fell over the land as darkness covered Mother Earth, blocking out all light and the Heaven above. A final scream died in the choking air for there was no one left to hear. The cries have been silenced. Winds carried off the groans of pain and blown away the odor of death. And the Morrigan flew over the battlefield to choose the dead. Fires consumed Earth then the fierce floods came and all that once lived was under water. Was it not inevitable? What could be the cause of this happening? This was Ragnarok.
There is a very old Norse legend about Ragnarok, the final destiny of the gods. A Volva (Wise Woman) gives answer to Odin’s inquiry of what was to come in the final days:
It sates itself on the life-blood
of fated men,
paints red the powers’ homes
with crimson gore.
Black become the sun’s beams
in the summers that follow,
weathers all treacherous.
Do you still seek to know? And what?
– Poetic Edda, Voluspa, Snorri Sturluson, 10th century
Mythology and Real Life
How close to the truth are mythology and legends of old? What caused the 3,500 year old Bimini Road to now lie at the bottom of the sea? Is Bimini Road the remains of Atlantis? Was the destruction of Atlantis brought down from an angry god or was it war from another culture or another world?
Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed because people did not listen to the warning signs and did nothing to change their ways. Thus they brought on their own destruction.
The ancient civilization of Sumer in southern Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) was invaded many times and finally destroyed. Sumerians who survived were absorbed into the Akkadian population. Now look at what has happened in Iraq in current times.
Other civilizations were torn apart by governments who wanted to control the people. The ‘Expulsion of the Acadians’ by the British, 1764, from the Canadian Maritime provinces in 1765, then again from the American colonies, tore apart not just a community and their culture, but families.
Native Americans lost their lands, most of their people and way of life during the wars in early America. Displacing of Indian tribes lasted for many years after the wars ended. Will we be torn apart and displaced by invading peoples? Terrorists and religious extremists are now invading America and other countries, wanting their own laws and communities. Thought it could never happen? It has already happened. In America a professor at one of our major universities publicly said all white Americans must be destroyed, annihilated.
Remember what Hitler accomplished with the idea to rid the world of an entire race of people? It is called genocide. Almost 6 million Jewish people were killed – men, women, children – all because one man hated their race and felt they had no right to live. “Lebensunwertes Leben” (Life unworthy of life) was a mindset of the Nazis.
On a calm autumn day America was violently struck by airplanes taken over by terrorists and the World Trade Center Twin Towers fell. Thousands of people were killed that day and many more died in days to come from injuries received.
“If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, then all possibility of life is destroyed.”
— Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
It Can Happen
So, you see, it happens – it happened in the past and it can happen in the future and is happening now in parts of the world. Will we let it happen over and over, world wide, till there is no one left to care?
What caused Ragnarok?
Ragnarok was caused by all the gods warring against each other for power and the right to rule. Are the world leaders of today creating our own Ragnarok, our final days on Earth, our annihilation? Are we going to sit by and let them do it?
That is the Great Silence. It is the lack of our voices and efforts to prevent all-out war and destruction. People are comfortable in their own little space and do not want to face facts about what is happening in the world. They believe “It won’t happen to me.” Or some may believe that if they speak out they will be harmed – fear is the darkness which prevents us from action to exercise and protect our rights and freedom.
It is time, way past time, that we speak up, light our lanterns, do what we can to stop the insanity that will destroy everything we have fought for and many have died for.
“If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.”
— Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
Peace
As in Ragnarok are we to experience the final destination of utter nothingness? Will other races, religious groups and indigenous peoples be treated as Hitler treated the Jewish people – to lose our way of life and our very lives? Is it inevitable that an end to all we know will come with violent destruction of all living things? Will too many of us remain in the great silence and darkness? Or will we be Lantern Carriers and wake people up before it is too late?
To be a Lantern Carrier is not a huge task, nor does it make someone a leader or a god. Anyone can take on this task. A Lantern Carrier will cast away the darkness by using the flame to light another lantern. The flame is knowledge and enlightenment. Pass it on and let it grow into Love, Peace and Harmony. World Peace is possible with Love and Prayer – and voices of the people.
Reflections
There are some who will say, “Death is inevitable, it is part of life.” Well of course, that is true. But, is it right that whole races, cultures, civilizations be destroyed because a handful of world leaders believe it is so? Anyone who reads this, ask yourself: “Am I part of a race or group, community, civilization that will be annihilated? Or will I do what I can to prevent that from happening?”
We may not see World Peace in our time, but if we brought children into this world we have an obligation to do what we can so they and future generations can live in Peace. Many believe that in the first part of the 18th century Angels began coming to Earth in ever larger numbers to enlighten and teach people to find their highest truths and grow ever more spiritual in order to prepare for crossing over in spirit, for wars will increase and take lives in increasing numbers.
There is nothing wrong with living in the moment, to enjoy life the best we can each day. Many people do this, including myself. We should remember, though, that what we do today will affect tomorrow. So, live in the moment and enjoy it, but have a plan for the rest of your life, and teach your children well.
What is it that drives any of us to where we need to be in life? It is that which is inherent in each of us since the beginning of humankind – a desire of the ages. A desire to find our center and be in Peace and Harmony with all Creation. The ability to find our Highest Truths and achieve union with our Supreme Being, our own God, which is within each of us – it is that which some will open to and embrace. There are others who may wonder all their life “What is it I am missing?”
As a Lantern Carrier, I pray that all who are missing that most important thing in life, their Highest Truths, will be enlightened, find it then help others. World wide Peace and Harmony can and should be the final outcome.
“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.”
— Black Elk, Oglala Lakhota
Let us not be part of the great silence and darkness.
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To read more about Ragnarok, see my article :
http://alastarpacker.weebly.com/once-upon-a-history/odin-the-wise-woman-
ragnarok-the-final-destiny-of-the-gods
© 2017 Phyllis Doyle Burns
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A most interesting and fascinating read.
Thank you, Rasma, it is much appreciated. So glad you enjoyed it. Take care.
Wonderful piece Phyllis, again beautifully researched and written in question of our future. The rise and fall of empires and cultures has always been a cycle of human life, and so we rise to be corrupted, lost and then fall as has happened many times. Even highly spiritual societies like the Egyptians died out. These cycles are our learning and until we dispense with religious dogma, and find true spiritual values in life, there will always be those who set out to undermine, control or gain. This is the nature of an imperfect humanity. All we can do is hope and live our lives within our own spiritual paradigms. a poignant and thought-provoking work my friend.
Thanks Tony. So glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed and appreciate your comment. Take care, dear friend.
Phyllis , Awesome write , Having done most of my family genealogy , I have found that my family came to America in 1637 from England , in almost each skirmish ,every internal war , , the French and Indian wars , the revolution , the civil war , WWI , WWII , Viet -Nam , the gulf wars , my family has served . I can tell you this , There have been enough wars ! Good wars , bad wars , All Wars ! When do we say enough is enough and no more ? I am now of the belief that there is no goodness in any war really , not for the soldier , that I know.
Very interesting writing !
Hi Ed. I see nothing good in wars, for they rarely solve anything and there is always retribution. It is far past time to put a stop to wars and that can begin with love for humanity and Mother Earth. Thanks for reading and commenting.