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Transformation
By lindamuralidharan on 2008-12-25 23:57:38
As I write this, I hope the readers have been serenely and joyously participating in whatever traditions and gatherings the
season's opportunities provide consistent with the customs and beliefs of each one.
Although I was raised with an intense religious education within one of the world's traditional religions, I no longer accept
or follow the dogmas and rituals of any organized religious group. Nonetheless, I have learned much from studying the
teachings of many religious systems.
Today I am thinking of the linkages among our national political hopes for transformation and the messages of
transformation that are part of so many holiday traditions and of so many spiritual messages. Kwanzaa is partly about the
transformation from a materialistic, unexamined life to a life based on African roots and traditions of positive, less
materialistic family and community values. I am reminded of the Biblical story of Paul's transformation. I think of Prince
Siddhartha, a prince and member of the Kshatriya (warrior) caste who was transformed into a bringer of light and the hope
of peaceful personal transformation. I also believe that the ultimate message of the historical figure Jesus has little to do
with rituals or rules and regulations. I believe his message is universal, and that that message is the transformation from
personal misery and guilt to serenity and forgiveness, that once one has changed one's heart and intentions, one is not
damned to personal or eternal damnation but rather completely forgiven for mistakes of the past.
In my lifetime, our country has already achieved one huge, significant social and political transformation in terms of people
changing their hearts so that "outsiders", especially people of color are no longer relegated to the margins of society, but are
encouraged to show their talents in many walks of life including the capacity to lead the entire country. At times, I have
been privileged to participate in efforts that promoted this kind of transformation. In the 1970's, my local YWCA sponsored
what was known as Interracial Dialogue Groups. We met in each other's homes as a collection of people from different parts
of the community, and there was an emphasis on white and black people sharing their individual perspectives on life in our
community. The groups were structured so that people could really practice listening to the other person's point of view.
There was much to be learned as our various experiences were so different despite living in the same community. I saw
people on both sides being transformed as new understandings and appreciation of differing perspectives blossomed.
In recent years, several organizations have sponsored similar diversity discussion groups. This time around, I have been a
facilitator for groups meeting in churches, community colleges, and other public spaces where both adults and students talk
about a variety of diverse experiences. Some of the differences might be based on religion, some on ethnic background,
some on economic background. It may be that I will always disagree with the value of women covering their heads for
purely dogmatic reasons, but there is a big difference between seeing someone on TV wearing a hijab and actually sharing
personal stories and beliefs face to face with a woman or young student wearing one. Again, I see in myself and others that
transformation from viewing ideas and people in the abstract to viewing members of many groups as individuals with hopes
and dreams so similar to mine.
As so many of us work hard for increased levels and regions of peace at home and abroad, I believe in transformation. I
believe in the transformation we hear about of the soldiers who thought their government sent them legitimately to defend
our country in Iraq and then discovered that both the rationale and the means had been deceptive. We have the testimony of
many such individuals who have returned transformed by their very experiences to individuals ready to actively oppose the
war. We have seen citizens at home gain new knowledge that led to their own transformation from rather uninvolved
citizens to citizen activists. If we keep open minds, examine our own selves, values, and motivations first and foremost, and
then seek actively for more information on a regular basis, I believe more transformations will come. I believe that these
transformations will slowly reduce armed conflict and help this country practice more just and honest policies in our
domestic political life as well.
We currently have a President Elect who says he wants to lead us in the direction of healthy values and positive
transformation. It is up to us, however, to work with him and not for him to bring about the desired changes. We need to be
active participants, not passive followers.
