Of course, most of the reactions reported by mainstream news media were of joy that this person was dead.  There were a few voices warning that his followers may be emboldened to commit more acts of terrorism as revenge for his killing, but they were in the minority in the midst of the general celebration that a national objective had apparently been achieved.

Later during the day, I happened to log in to my Facebook page, and read the many comments that my various friends had posted regarding this news item.  I was struck by the different viewpoints represented, covering an extreme spectrum of opinion regarding the act, the principles behind it, and the reputation of our government.  It is the wide range of these opinions that leads me to comment here.

The opinions expressed by those postings generally fell into three categories.

Some were very glad that this person had finally been “taken out,” and expressed great thanks to our military and intelligence personnel.  There were also comments to the effect that this act would be followed by a serious decline in the capabilities of the terrorist organization the deceased headed.

Another group of people expressed their belief that Bin Laden was actually killed nine years ago, referencing a few Internet links that apparently have reported this in the past.  These folks believe that this is all part of an ongoing government cover up and manipulation of the populace in order to maintain power over us.

The third group of people essentially refused to celebrate the violent death of a human being, no matter whether that act appeared to result in a favorable situation for the world.  Their points were, in many cases, that violence will never stop violence, and that the world needs to live from a point of love rather than a point of hate.

Obviously, these friends of mine are very opposed in their viewpoints, but they are in fact a reflection of the conflicting viewpoints held within our country and across the world.  The only people missing from this survey are those who believe that the US is evil, and consider Bin Laden a hero.

All of my friends know, or should, that I believe in the Oneness of all humanity, and that I align most strongly with the belief that no killing is ever justified.  However, it is important for all of us to recognize that these different opinions are based on each individual’s consciousness and beliefs at this time.  In Oneness, we are called to love, honor and respect others in all things.  We do not have to agree with them, but we must allow them to live according to their particular life path.  We must also understand that each other person always does the best that they can based on where they are in their soul’s evolution.

It is absolutely true that continuing to commit violence will never stop violence.  Gandhi and Dr. King both knew that, and constantly reminded their followers, and themselves, of that fact.  However, a violent end was to be expected for Bin Laden given his life, and in fact, it has been reported that he had ordered his security people to kill him themselves rather than allow him to be captured by the US.  His chosen path included martyrdom, in his view.  He died in the manner that he chose and expected.

There was an interesting commentary about the Bin Laden killing, and about Bin Laden himself, on the Ask Theo Internet radio show on Tuesday morning.  Theo is the collective voice of a group of archangels, channeled by Sheila Gillette, one of the hosts, who has been channeling Theo for over forty years.  The subject of Tuesday’s show was Master Teachers, and a caller asked about Bin Laden’s purpose in this life.  Theo’s answer was that, no matter what you may have thought about what this man did, he actually gave to all of us a great lesson on what happens when we do not allow the love that is the nature of our spirits to rule our lives (my summary and wording).  It was a fascinating reminder for me that there is always some good in everything bad, no matter how horrible the act or event may seem.  If you would like to listen to that particular Ask Theo show, or learn more about Theo, go to www.asktheo.com.

I can easily understand the feelings of both my friends who are joyful and my friends who are conspiracy theorists.  Both are operating from fear: first, fear of terrorism and bad people in the world, and second, fear of our government and what is perceived as an elite group in control of our society.  As I have spoken and written recently, fear is the basis for most of human behavior in our world.  Fear, and the use of fear to control, has been at the center of our dominator cultures since ancient times, and fear is very much in evidence today throughout our world.  Neither of these groups can truly be blamed for their feelings and opinions, knowing where they are coming from.

Fortunately, the third group of opinions is powerful testimony that a new belief is rising, not only throughout our country, but our entire world.  More and more people everywhere are becoming more conscious and aware of their spiritual basis in love, their connection to God and all of God’s creation.  These people are choosing to recognize and live in Oneness.  Many believe, as do I, that this is part of a spiritual awakening on the Earth, in which the population is transforming into beings who understand their true nature as eternal spirits.  As this transformation continues, many more will begin to question what they have believed, lose their fear, and realize that the way we have done things for so long must change fundamentally.  This process will not be as fast as any of us would like, but it is happening, and will proceed until mankind on Earth stands in a completely new light, as highly evolved beings living in love and cooperation.

If you are amongst those who are rejoicing in a feeling of revenge fulfilled, I pray that you will take a moment to understand that this action did not and can not restore all those who died in the terrorist acts sponsored by Bin Laden.  It is my sincere desire that you connect with your soul, and realize that you could easily have been in his place in different life circumstances (and in fact were in some other life, although I realize that may be very hard for you to believe).  Seek the feeling of compassion, and find forgiveness in your heart for a spirit who is also one of God’s creations, and loved by God just as much as you are.

If you see conspiracy in our government, our media and other institutions of our life, I pray that you will stop a moment and truly ask what you would have become if you had been raised in the fear that others will control you unless you control them first.  I hope you come to realize that you are also operating from that same fear.  You have convinced yourself that you failed to understand and get the upper hand, and you are now the victim.  I pray that your soul, with God’s help, will come to realize that you are the master of your life’s creation, and that with love, you need fear nothing, especially your own brothers and sisters in God.  I have no doubt that fearful men and women have done terrible things in our past, and that some continue to do these acts of control, but we may never know fully how much of these suspicions have any basis in truth, or are simply the result of our creative imaginations.  In the end, as we learn to live from love and banish fear, those who may have committed terrible acts of dishonesty and deception, of death, hate and revenge, will come to understand what they have done and seek your forgiveness.  I pray that you will find forgiveness easy and appropriate, and realize that you too have walked their path somewhere in time.

To my friends who are opening to their birthright of love for all, I remind you to be gentle and loving with everyone, even those whose thoughts, feelings and actions are annoying to you, or even abhorrent.  These, too, are your brothers and sisters, and our world must include them all.  Give them love, and help them to grow to awareness with you.

Everything that happens does so for a reason, whether we see the reason or not.  There is good somewhere in every act or occurrence, and every minute of every day has the power to teach us, and to uplift us to our highest good, if only we have the senses to perceive, and only if we perceive with our hearts.  Peace and love be with you all, and with the spirit that was Osama.

Max’s father is Dr. David Simon, CEO of The Chopra Center of Wellbeing, the organization founded by Deepak Chopra.  Dr. Simon is also a trained neurologist.  Six months ago, Dr. Simon noticed that he had lost significant eyesight on his right side.  He ordered appropriate tests on himself, and discovered that he has a serious and life threatening brain tumor.

As someone who has a child who survived cancer at age fourteen, I understand clearly and painfully how difficult news of this type is for both the patient and his family.  I know many people reading this article can relate, and all of our hearts go out to this man we have never met.  Extraordinarily, Dr. Simon and his family have decided to create a video record of his journey and their experiences, to demonstrate the power of love in a time of personal crisis.

The introduction video can be seen at http://returntowholeness.com/.  After watching this powerful video, register to receive further updates, and leave a comment in support of Dr. Simon, Max and the whole family.  It will make you cry, but it will also warm your heart and show you the power of love.  I will be watching and praying for them all.

This nearly two-hour movie is an amazing discussion of the problems and potential solutions in our current world in the areas of finance, education, religion, entertainment and media, health and food, and consciousness.  What is even more intriguing is that the leaders of this discussion, and most of the interviewees, are young people.  It was a fabulous experience for me watching teenagers and twenty-somethings speaking their minds and taking leadership in helping to move this planet to a better place.  I was reminded that youth is often not afraid to tell it like it is, and that youth has the advantage of not having bought in to many of the partial truths and untruths that we adults suffer from.

You can watch this movie for free on line from the Masterpiece Life site or from YouTube.  This link gives the YouTube URLs.  You can also purchase the movie on DVD from Collective Evolution.

Whatever you do, however you do it, watch this movie, and then think about it!