Romeo Dallaire is a true bodhisattva. He has written another book filled with reports of the evils of this world....the unconscionable exploitation of the most innocent humans on the planet. Romeo is again challenging our courage to open to the realities of this world. The subject is unspeakably evil. Once again he is saying "we must not look away from this truth". I wondered if I would have the courage to read it. I visualized myself opening the book....Can these images of cruelty share my world of beautiful sunsets. Could this information also be part of my path? I felt my responsibility to open my heart. Are the struggles of these children, my struggles too? It is too late for me to know and not to know.
I am reminded of a story that Thich Nhat Hung tells of the pirates who seize the boats of fleeing refugees in the oceans that these people are call their homes. He tells the story of a fourteen year old girl who was raped by one of these pirates while being held hostage. The girl jumps overboard feeling that her life now has no purpose. The level of victimization took my breathe way. But then he adds, "in some of your lives you have been the fourteen year old girl and in some of your lives you have been the pirate."
I read the book.
The horror of the realities of these children is beautifully balanced by the open hearted compassion that this sensitive man feels in their presence. The best and the worst of this world.
Much gratitude to this man who carries so much truth of human suffering. I did not want to be unwilling to share this load with him. Just another human who will look away to watch the sunset. This story is too large for most...too sharp.... too real...requiring more courage than most of us believe we have. Turn and lean in and you will see that this story is about you.
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