<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">John,<BR>
<BR>
Wonderful to see you again in Halifax. The event was quite moving for me on several occasions. Great that we had 12 countries represented and many first-timers from Canada as well as a few from elsewhere. The Canada OSonOS team did marvelously and I found the setting most appropriate.<BR>
<BR>
On the issue of "struggle". One of our great teachers, Oz Swallow from South Africa ( mining engineer turned philosopher/transformation teacher) taught that we must </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>never fight against......</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">, we must be </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>all for.....</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> in our outlook, no matter the difficulty of the situation. Thus, we must be </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>all for</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> defeating the forces of tyranny, of poverty, of deprivation, etc. He certainly experienced it in his life as a mining engineer in South Africa. He almost lost his life several times in the mines where he worked closely with the miners (mostly blacks) solving problems. He was also raised (counseled) in his youth by an important Zulu warrior and leader. <BR>
<BR>
I don't think this is just a shift of words or semantics because in my own sheltered life I have experienced how that shifts one's mental set when other kinds of difficulties arise besides figuring out how to maintain the body with food. Thus, the poem's intradiction against "struggle" spoke to me in that sense. Because I think of struggle as being </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>against</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> the current situation, whatever it is. Thus, one is thrown into the </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>against</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> mindset because of the way 'struggle' is usually thought of. I can also think of the use of "struggle for freedom", etc., but it still carries an "against" feeling in it for me. Not sure if this is of any use to you.<BR>
<BR>
John, I deeply respect you and the work you have chosen to do. It takes great courage to be where you are at this time. I know in my own heart and soul that the Universal Spirit (God, etc.) is </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>all for</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> your work.<BR>
<BR>
Sincerely,<BR>
<BR>
Paul Everett <BR>
<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"></FONT></HTML>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist