During the events that began on 9-11 in New York City, watching the civil servants selflessly serve deeply moved and uplifted our spirit and courage ? many people asked what they could do to help.

For those who are not firefighters, police or emergency staff, a longing to perform meaningful selfless service grew within. The Vedas speak of different castes or professions that are best suited to different people.

Each caste depends on the others for a society to flourish. The traditional warrior caste may be defined as the modern day military, police, fire and emergency workers.

The Vedas say those with the strongest builds are best suited for this demanding work. The thinnest constitutions are best suited for praying. In between are those better suited to business and farming. So those who are not from the warrior caste may also help in their own way to feel useful.

Initially donations of money, food, clothing, time and blood were the ways people helped the injured and the helpers. Now, as we change and begin to move forward, how we can help ourselves, families, communities, nation and our global brothers and sisters changes.            

The US is in a peculiar position just now. We are the only so-called ?super-power'. We have the largest military, most powerful and sophisticated weapons, and a great intelligence branch.

Yet we find this might, we cannot destroy fundamentalist hatred. Now, the more we bomb, the greater the rise in hatred towards the US will grow, and the more attempts to attack the US will be.           

Through our wisdom and prayers, we have been able to form an international coalition of nations ? including Islamic nations ? that condemn the events of 9-11.

We have even gotten the international Islamic religious leaders and countries to condemn these actions and to proclaim these acts are not in keeping with the Islamic doctrines.

So far, the only way we are able to keep this fragile coalition is through non-violent activities. If we bomb indiscriminately, we will lose this coalition, which may be our only hope to eradicate such hatefulness.           

So the success of this most powerful military nation may well be in its use of its spiritual wisdom, helping to feed and rebuild peoples and economies that are so devastated that terrorism easily breeds.

We have agreed to drop food packages instead of bombs to help in this manner. Through our kindness to the truly needy and our seeking global community assistance, we may just be able to reduce such fundamental hatred.           

On a personal level, people still want to know what they can do. Here are just a few simple ideas that may be useful to implement in daily life. 

  1. Pray to God. Pray to whatever higher power you believe in. Pray for peace in the world. Pray for understanding. Pray that the true representatives of Islam worldwide stand up, and themselves route out that which harms Islam. If those who use Islam as a foundation for terror are denied the foundation by the international Islamic community, there will be no place for them to stand.

  2. Love your families. This disaster has put things in perspective for many people. Spending time with family is as sacred an act as there is. Teach your children forgiveness by releasing hatred from this event and harbor only love to share with your family. Be in the moment with your children and you will find the way to move on in life.
  3. Get to know and share your lives with neighbors. There was a time 30 - 40 years ago where neighborhoods were a natural watch-group. If a child misbehaved on the street, a child might get scolded by a parent other than their own.

    Neighbors looked out for one another and spent time with one another. There were summer block parties. When the light of love and caring shine, it is difficult for darkness to enter a neighborhood. Neighborhood care is a loving, defensive safety shield.
  4. Form ?peace cells'. In India we call this ?satsang'. When two or more people meet and discuss religious or spiritual books or ideas, it is called satsang. It the Vedas it is said that when you take God's name, God sits with you. So get together with family, friends and neighbors on a weekly basis and discuss your visions of divinity, purpose of life, and other such inspiring topics.

    Read and discuss scriptures. Another peace cell in India is called ?Ram-nam'. This is when people get together and sing religious and spiritual songs.

    The Vedas say that singing the praises of God is the highest action a person can do. By speaking and singing of that which brings the greatest joy and purpose in our lives, we transform ourselves into the people we aim to be.
  5. Do jobs that you love ? that make you feel purposeful. The Vedas say that each of us is born with a gift of God ? a life-purpose. By using this gift, we grow and reflect divinity in the world. By using this gift we feel a joy untold as the work brings us closer to God.

    For some, a purposeful job is a specific job, (e.g. ?I love to teach', or ?I love numbers', or ?I love to paint'). For others, regardless of the specific job, they just love to help others.

    Feeling love and purpose in your work allows those around you feel the love in you and your work. In this way you directly grow love in the world.

  6. Self-reflect and spend more time in meditation. In any and all tragedies when we look within ? reflect on our lives ? we become better people. Self-reflection also gives us patience as inner answers don't come instantly or all at once.

    Rather, daily, weekly, monthly and over the years we gain insights and become more philosophic. 

  7. Hold fast to your visions & build these visions. Firmly grab hold of your most important visions ? be they spiritual, familial, social, environmental ? and make these visions a reality.

  8. Be alert, practical, and sober. While it is unhealthy to focus on negativity, it is equally unhealthy not to use common sense. Keep abreast of the news but also keep on top of your visions. Be in the world, but not of the world.
  9. Look at hatred, famine, bombing, and abuse in a different way. Now that we have experienced terror, we can empathize with people from other countries who also experience terror.

    What hurts one country hurts another country; what hurts one person in any country hurts all people in all countries. It is hard to harbor harsh feelings when we see its effects.
  10. Honor the heroes. America found real heroes, people who thought of others before themselves. Fire, police, transit and emergency workers showed us the highest form of spirituality. If you have a business, offer discounts to those affected by this event, and to the service men and women to show your support and respect.

    In short, do whatever you can to honor true heroes, uplift people's spirits, and work toward your higher visions. If you walk down the street, say hello to others. If you are a teacher, teach about love and ethics and truth.

    If we all do the best to make the lives of those around us better ? thinking about others first ? then in our own way, we all become heroes to some people.

Aum shanti, shanti, shanti.
Let there be peace of mind, peace of heart, and peace on earth

This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. It in no way is intended to substitute for care from duly licensed health professionals.

Swami Sadashiva Tirtha, D.Sc., may be contacted through the International Vedic Institute - School of Ayurveda.