The Divine Play: It’s Past Time for Peace
Alan Watts, a renowned interpreter of Eastern philosophy, often drew from Hindu mythology to explain profound concepts about life and reality. One of his key insights is the idea of Satcitananda, a Sanskrit term that encompasses the essence of existence: Sat (that which is), Cit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss). Watts beautifully elaborates on this concept:
“So, say in Hindu mythology, they say that the world is the drama of God. God is not something in Hindu mythology with a white beard that sits on a throne and that has royal prerogatives. God in Indian mythology is the self Satcitananda, which means Sat, that which is; Cit, that which is consciousness; and Ananda, which is bliss. And in other words, what exists, reality itself, is gorgeous. It is the plenum, the fullness of total joy. Wow-wee.”
This philosophy, which sees reality as inherently beautiful and blissful, stands in stark contrast to the events of the past eight months and nineteen days since October 7. These months have been filled with horror and suffering, a far cry from the divine play of Satcitananda.
I’m not here to offer a “it’s complicated” or wishy-washy political analysis of what’s happened in the world since that day, especially given my background as a Lebanese Druze. Because it’s not complicated. Simply, it’s time to end the madness. It’s time to hold to account the war criminals that have killed over 15,000 children, which make up nearly half of the 40,000+ innocent civilians murdered in Gaza. (This number could be truly higher.) It’s time for the end of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, end the siege, blockade, and genocide being perpetrated against Gaza, establish two sovereign states (unless the goal here is truly a one-state solution, because that’s what an unsustainable occupation and subjugation of one people over another will eventually lead to), share Jerusalem as the capital of both states, with international guarantees for access to holy sites for all religions, remove illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank or integrate them under Palestinian sovereignty with equal rights for residents, guarantee human rights and freedoms for all citizens, with international monitoring to ensure compliance, equitable sharing of water and other critical resources, with international mediation to ensure fair distribution, and encourage reconciliation through educational, cultural, and social initiatives to build mutual understanding and respect.
I could go on further, as I have gone off topic, but instead, I want to focus on the sacredness of life, a principle that transcends all cultural and religious boundaries.
The Sacredness of Life
Life is sacred. This fundamental truth should guide our actions and decisions, especially in times of conflict. The hostages must be released. My prayers are with those in Israel who lost loved ones on that fateful day. The innocent civilians of Gaza did not deserve the suffering they have endured, just as the innocent in Israel did not deserve their fate. One tragedy does not justify another.
Reflecting on my own children and family, I cannot fathom seeing their lives disregarded as collateral damage. Children are the future, and the future of this world should be one of peace.
A Call for Peace
When we were children, we were taught to strive for peace. It was a noble and beautiful goal, something we believed in wholeheartedly. I remember being in kindergarten or grade 1, and when the teacher went around the room and asked each kid about what they wanted to do in the future when they were all grown up, so many mentioned solving peace on earth. Today, more than ever, we need to return to that aspiration. We must embrace the philosophy of Satcitananda, seeing life as a divine play filled with joy and consciousness.
We need to move beyond the cycle of violence and retaliation, recognizing the sacredness of every life, whether in Israel, Gaza, or anywhere else. The future of this world depends on our ability to foster peace, understanding, and compassion.
Conclusion
Let us remember the words of Alan Watts and the wisdom of Hindu philosophy. Reality itself is gorgeous, filled with the fullness of total joy. It is time to end the horror and embrace the divine play of life. Release the Israeli hostages, release the Palestinian hostages, hold to account all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, end the violence, and let us all work together towards a future where peace prevails.
Life is sacred. Peace is possible. It is something we must strive for, not just for ourselves but for the generations to come.
Thank you for reading.
