DETOUR: An Apology: What we Can Learn from the Earthquake in Japan

(See next posts for rest of “Don’t Hang Up: Leaving a Message at the Cell Phone Store”)

As I watch the Earth in what appears to be her increasing ability to let loose all manner of natural disaster, I notice that as time progresses these disasters have taken a higher toll on human survival and quality of life.  Importantly, these natural disasters carry environmental and economic consequences that are both devastating and seem, for lack of a better word, calculated to achieve a global impact.  In other words, it would appear that forces beyond our control are upping the ante and the situation is intensifying.  Within this intensification a pattern emerges.

What are the components of this pattern?  One component of the pattern is that environmental upheaval seems to highlight unresolved historical or cultural issues.  For instance, with respect to hurricane Katrina in the United States, unresolved issues of racial inequality, the cruelty of poverty as well as government duties that were not fulfilled came to light as it was discovered that levies had not been properly maintained, poorer neighborhoods were harder hit and took longer to rebuild, and that people not able to flee New Orleans, primarily poor, African-Americans, were - instead of being rescued - entrapped without adequate food, water, and protection.

In this most recent Earthquake, Japan appears to be confronting an historical or even karmic relationship with energy and power, or more specifically, radiation as a by-product of humanity’s collective need to generate power sufficient to build what we can envision but cannot, by the labor of our hands alone, accomplish.  Energetically and karmically, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II foreshadowed the current threat of core meltdown.  Humanity to a large extent remains emotionally, mentally, morally, and environmentally unresolved as to the role of nuclear and atomic power.  Where deep conflict remains unresolved, challenges will eventually come.  Japan, in particular, seems to be carrying a large share of this unresolved energetic burden.

In World War II, as with the recent earthquake and tsunami, Japan sustained most of the damage and heartache.  If karmic patterns remain true – and they typically do - as with events in WWII, the United States will also be permanently impacted.  On the Western Coast of the United States there have been a handful of deaths due to high waves caused by the tsunami generated by the quake in Japan.  Moreover, if the meltdown in Japan is not averted, the United States will likely be negatively affected.  While there will be many, many global impacts flowing from the quake, there is also an opportunity for the United States and Japan to come to resolution over issues we have for the most part refused to confront directly.

It is worth noting that years back, in response to a direct request by the nation of Japan, the United States refused to apologize for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.  Last week, as waves emboldened by the tsunami washed up on the shores of the western United States, I could not help but recall our refusal to apologize and to take responsibility for reaping unnecessary destruction.  As most of us know from personal experience, unresolved emotional wounds can have a cumulative effect, leading to outcomes both unpleasant and unexpected.  I cannot help but wonder, if the United States had been more humble in its approach, would things be different?  This is not to suggest that an apology would have stopped the earthquake.  My point is more subtle.  Humility and compassion, apologies and acknowledgement, are powerful medicine.  When authentic, they can make the difference between whether we become hard and rigid, or soft and pliable, between whether humanity will drive itself to and then past the brink of destruction or will get past its defenses long enough to make another choice.

So for my part, I wish to exercise the freedom of speech guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and, as an American citizen, apologize to Japan.  Here goes and I am sorry that I am only able to give this apology in English:

To the people of Japan:

As a child, I studied the impact of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on your country and my heart went out to you.  At the time I did not think it was fair and I still do not think it was fair that my country took this action against you.  

Using an atomic bomb in response to attacks on Pearl Harbor and the deaths that occurred there seems an abuse of power designed just as much to cripple you and to assert our dominance as to defend our safety and for this reason the bombing was not legitimate.  Many, many more people, including civilians, women and children, were killed by the atomic bombs dropped on Japan than died in Pearl Harbor (compare roughly a quarter million dead in Japan vs. roughly 2500 as a result of Pearl Harbor).  Injuries inflicted by the atomic bomb were uniquely gruesome.  Dehumanizing deaths occurred over a longer period of time.  For months following the bombings, Japanese citizens died, within debilitated medical systems, from radiation poisoning and burns.  Let’s not forget that history bears out that many different racial, ethnic, and religious groups have experienced extraordinary violence at the hands of the United States.  

I am saddened that my country retaliated viciously.  I am sorry that we acted not simply to protect or even to win a war, but to incapacitate the hearts of a nation.  I am saddened that we abused both our power and the strength of the atomic bomb.  Please accept this heartfelt apology.

               

Then one day, while waiting for a BART train, I asked (though I did not know who I asked): “Will the United States fall and if so, how?”  The answer came in images of buildings caving in, raging waters, and dollars bills.  The message was that collapse would be caused by a combination economic, environmental and political events.  The message was that when the creative energies of the Earth and humanity are exploited – used in ways that ultimately harm the Earth and humanity - balance is sacrificed and survival is jeopardized.

In the last 15 years my focus has shifted from the predicted longevity of empires (who will win, who will be proven right, who should control).  Today’s questions are: What must humanity do to thrive? How can we create the social, economic and environmental fairness necessary for balance?  How can we find the balance necessary for survival?

What I did not see as I listened to answers in the BART station that day was that as the collapse took hold, humanity would overlook the Earth as a player in climate change.  Missing from today's dialogue on mainstream new stations is an acknowledgement that the Earth is a conscious being with feelings, desires and intentions.  We have failed to notice that the Earth makes decisions, takes action and has a partnership with the spirit world whose influence on humanity is also intensifying at this time.  Moreover, the idea that through these changes God is taking revenge on humanity is limiting.   Outdated images of God – for instance, God as the enraged father bent on punishment - prevent us from grappling with the full scope of our situation.  As a result, it has become necessary for higher forces to step in.  It has become necessary to create events that force humanity to make different choices and to find balance.

For the record, I do not imagine the AIDS epidemic as divine retribution for homosexuality.  Neither was the economic downturn caused by increased support for same sex partnerships.  God is a loving.  Thus, change seeks the balance required to support life.  This balance must be achieved even if the systems upon which humans rely are disrupted; these systems perpetuate an imbalanced relationship with Earth.  This means that events do not flow from the hand of a wrathful God.  These changes are part of a complex system of Divine energies and intentions.  The gradual intensification of events provides opportunities to join forces with this process of change.

Fifteen years ago, when I asked this question in the BART station, I did not understand that I was in dialogue with spiritual forces.  I did not see that my life was undergoing irreversible changes.  By the same token, many will lack the inspiration to communicate with the Earth and to take her desires into account.  However, those of us who are willing can start a dialogue.  We can begin to think of ourselves as want to both save the Earth and become her partners.  We can begin to treat her like the communicative, intelligent, sentient being she is.  We can begin to acknowledge our ability also to partner in change with higher forces.

From this place of acknowledgment, communication and willingness, partnership with the Earth, humanity, and the Divine will follow.  From this point we will begin to turn the tide and make a new choice.  In this way, each of us can make a tremendous difference.  It is not too late.