I am also in a quiet place, a small farm north of Kansas City, Missouri. I usually stay at a cabin in the woods, but I have been staying close to the TV throughout yesterday & today. I am trying to absorb the enormity of what has happened & what it means, what it will mean. I now feel numb with many levels of sadness ... for those who have died horribly, for their families & others affected, for the increasing militarization of this country, and for increasing violence in this world.

There are many aspects of this tragedy to be worked through in the days ahead. For now, mourning for the victims – of yesterday's inhuman act as well as other acts of terrorism – and mourning for humanity is called for. Coping with the emotions -- fear, anger, confusion, vengeance, numbness -- is the task at hand. These are what are now playing across the TV screens.

I second your call for all people to draw on their spiritual traditions, practices, faith, and commitment to do what we can to represent and speak for compassion, patience, peace, honesty, and healing in the days and weeks ahead. Those who meditate may have a particular role to play. I hope we have the inner resources to find effective words and expressions.

This government and others are contemplating things that will change American lives in ways we can't understand. Maybe this will make us more like many other countries in the world; maybe the other countries of the world will also be tragically changed. What are our possible Dhammic responses to what has happened and is coming?

Terror has been active throughout the last 100 years. Has it now ratcheted up a notch? Or was it just "far away" for Americans? I don't know, and I fear for humanity. Not only those who have been or might become direct victims, but also all of us who may stifle some of our humanity in how we react.

I, too, believe that there are noble qualities in America's culture and people, more than the ignoble. Let us do we can to bring these to the surface and let the best of our humanity rule.

May the Dhamma and God guide us all.

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