Join The Global Olympic Handshake!

If we are to bring about real change in the world, our efforts have to move beyond blame and negativity, which can all too often prolong the spiral of reaction and counter-reaction which has led us here in the first place. We need instead to join as one to promote our vision of the world we wish to create. The following message from the wonderful people at Avaaz is very much in this spirit. I invite you to join me in this global handshake, which will go all round the world to the Beijing Olympics:

As the Beijing Olympics begin, the world looks on with mixed emotions. This is a moment which should bring us closer together, and Chinese citizens deserve their excitement -- but the Chinese government still has not opened meaningful dialogue on Tibet, or changed its stance on Burma, Darfur and other pressing issues.

Riots and disruptions of the Olympic torch relay have only helped nationalists whip up Chinese anger. But we cannot stay silent -- so what can we do? The answer comes from the Dalai Lama himself, in an unambiguous gesture of Olympic spirit and friendship: a handshake.

It began in London, passed hand to hand by thousands of us -- now the handshake has gone online, and is criss-crossing the globe on its way to Beijing. All of us can join, Chinese and non-Chinese, and it comes with a promise: to hold ALL our governments accountable where they fall short, in Tibet, Iraq, Burma or beyond. We will deliver our message in a bold Olympic media campaign before the closing ceremonies: Click here to see how the handshake started, sign up to join in, and watch it circle the globe.

Comments

[AngelBaby]

Count me in! I am going to post this on my site too, if that is OK with you. Let me know.

I have something for you on my site, my dear friend.

Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby

[Chase March]

I love this idea. Thanks for this timely post!

[Simon]

Angelbaby and Chase - Hi! It's lovely to hear from you both and I'm glad you've signed up for this. Anyone who wants to, please do post about this on your site, or email your friends etc. The more people who hear about this, the better.

[Sue Ann Edwards]

~tongue in cheek~ You *know* what I'm going to say about the 'free tibet' attitude. To DROP IT. It is what China HAS BEEN DOING all these years. FREEING the Tibetans from the yoke of the religious potentates who have been lording themselves over them for centuries.

China has built railroads and brought commerce into the country, so they have no need to sell their kids into slavery like they were required to do under the Dali Llama.

Ugh! The Dali and Buddhism represent ONLY half the way on "the Path". How hard can it be to be "peaceful" while being totally shut away from the world? Not hard at all. The monks have been avoiding dealing with the issue or our desire nature and are now being faced with it. What we're seeing now, is the extent of the monks' Virtue, which is being revealed as non-existent.

There in ancient wisdom that has been safeguarded in China. And is about to be released. At one time the Chinese were infected and debilitated by religious dogmas, taboos, superstitions and such. That is why it was made illegal, so the people could grow out of it. China is a very spiritual center but before it could realize this, religion had to be kicked out of the country.

I *warn* to drop our attitudes about the government,because they WILL come back on us and it won't be pleasant.

So I'm calling for some REAL extensions, for shaking hands BOTH with the people AND their government... as if one was not separate from the other.

[Jess]

This is a spectaculare idea!!! Keep the positive energy flowing!!!

[Mark]

So truly needed, thanks for sharing.

[Simon]

Jess and Mark - Many thanks for your encouraging comments. Thanks for calling!

Sue Ann - Thanks for your comment too! I should know better than to argue with you but here goes. :-)

As we've discussed before there was a danger with all the protests that China was being identified as a villain to make us all feel better about our own shortcomings: a load of pots calling the kettle black. That's why I was pleased to see this initiative based on a shared to desire to hold *all* our governments to account when they betray the will of the people. For the government and people to be as one is how it *should* be - that's why we have to start making it happen.

It seems to me that banning religion is not a good way to 'kick it out' of a country. Surely that simply makes people cling to it all the more? As for Buddhism representing only 'half way on the Path' it seems to me that *all* religions are only partial versions of the truth. But I find that Buddhism is less partial than certain other religions. It seems to bear more relation to spiritual truth as I experience it. So I'm not sure why you appear to hold it in particular disdain.

[Sue An Edwards]

Dearest {{simon}}

First, there's the word 'should' that you use. That word especially, always represents a Judgment. And the idea that is giving root to that judgment, is the one about..."our governments have betrayed us." Well, they haven't. Our governments are accurate reflections of us. We betray ourselves and our governments accurately reflect that. Cause and effect. It is the Law of Attraction precipitating.

Next, "religion" has nothing to do with "spirituality" since it has very little to do with Spirit.

The Dali Llama at this point, is a "spiritual has-been". Just like the Pope. They are both immersed in "old" energy and showing no signs of releasing any of their density. You could say they both represent "holy relics", for they play roles of patronizing authority figures for those of us who deny claiming responsibility and accountability for our own wills.

Let the Chinese people handle their own government without the World's Judgments. A lack of self discipline ALWAYS manifests as a dictatorial style government. At least Intelligence has been fostered rather instinctual fear of ghost worship as before. That represents progress.

Notice the armies of "gog" and "magog" in the area? All along what used to be known as "the silk road?

When the Dali Llama extends his hand to thank the Chinese government for running him out of Tibet, and ceases to act like a victim, then he'll be on the road to enlightenment and not before. He's been an excellent place holder but consciousness is now in movement and he, a thing of the past.

But of course, that's where a lot of us are still living, huh?

[Sue An Edwards]

Disdain? Certainly. And for a good reason. Most of the world's population is BEYOND them in their "SPIRITUAL" evolution but because of SELF BETRAYAL, and SELF DENIAL, too blind to *know*. Denying our desire nature is NOT THE SAME as an in depth Understanding of it. And that is what makes most in the world WAY ahead of them.

[Sue An Edwards]

~I'm not out to win any popularity contests, which is obvious. Nor will I try for personal gain profiting off my brothers and sisters ignorance and self denial.~

I quote:
"Thus says the Lord "On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind and you will make an evil plan. You will say, "I will go against a land of unwalled villages. To take plunder and booty…"

"And when the thousand years are expired,darkness will be loosed on the land. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

~I'm~ also not the ONLY one that is picking up great earth movements happening shortly after the full moon of THIS month.

Like I said, a *warning*. I don't ask anyone to listen to me. I simply grow tired of saying "I told you so." It gets boring after a while.

[Sue Ann Edwards]

It came to me how best to clarify the confusion, for "guillibility" is at the root of it. While "buddhism" just like other philosophies will have kernals of truth, just like other, is it the assumption of "Authority" that is the basic problem. Remember "Busiris", the FALSE authority.

The is a lack of understanding of "phowa". And it order to convey this understanding, I will use it to trigger a shift in conscious awareness.

The subject is desire,the basis of the Law of Attraction. "Sex" in other words.

'female' looking for a father figure, an authority, however sweet and kind, is a lot different then a Goddess who desires a Divine Lover. 'male' looking for a mother figure, a nurturer, however sweet and kind, is a lot different then a God who desires a Divine Lover.

One relationship pattern inspires Passion, the other doesn't.

Now...since Creation is a Creative activity, a celibate 'creator' is an oxymoron...thus Phowa-less as well as, power-less.

[Simon]

Hi again Sue Ann - I have no thirst for further 'argument' because a) I would inevitably lose and b) I pretty much agree with you anyway (at least the bits I understand! Any further clarification you can give on the Gog/Magog situation would be appreciated...)

Just a few points though:

1) As I think I've written before (possibly here), my understanding of the shortcomings of monastic life (whatever your religious persuasion) is that losing your attachment to the world is relatively easy when you've already given it up. The real challenge is to *not* give it up - and still lose the attachment.

2) Of course it is true that governments truly reflect the consciousness of their people and the world will only be put to rights when there is a seismic shift in that consciousness.

but 3) Whereas you *know* that shift is going to happen, I only *hope* for it. In the meantime, therefore, it seems appropriate from time to time to take action to try to improve the state of the world. I guess it's a case of not putting all your eggs in one basket...

4) I notice, by the by, that the little girl who *really* sang the Chinese national anthem at the Olympics opening ceremony was not allowed to appear on the day because her face wasn't deemed to be perfect enough to represent her country. That the Chinese should have such an attitude makes me sad. If the US or British had done a similar thing, I'd be bl**dy furious. I know that such things will no longer happen after the planetary shift in consciousness, but it still feels right to say how I feel about it *now*.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7556058.stm

[Robin]

Hi Simon - thanks for letting us know about this - Robin

[Simon]

Thanks for dropping by, Robin!

[Brenda]

Thanks for the information about Avaaz. I had never heard of them and have started researching the organization.

[Simon]

Nice to hear from you, Brenda. Glad you found this useful...