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The Cost of Diversity

My heart is with the loved ones of Barrister Katrina Dawson and Lindt Café Manager Tori Johnson who both got killed during the battle to free hostages on 15 December 2014, at Martin Place, here in Sydney. They are about the ages of my children and as a mother I cannot even think about how I would feel if I lost one of mine during my life time.  When our family lost young ones in the Sri Lankan war – not because they were combatants but because of  civilian extremism on both sides – my heart went out to their mothers. I believe now – that when we feel with others in pain – we are protected from that anxiety  through God’s system of Oneness. I don’t need any external authority to certify me as Australian. When I feel with a fellow Australian not related  to me through family or workplace – and I feel as if I have experienced that pain myself,  it a confirmation that I am Australian. Likewise when I feel for a common Sri Lankan. This to me is true universal power  the realization of which is helped by globalization. These two young ones did not die in vain. They died so Australians would be more global. The more we sacrifice to include others – the greater our energy to protect global values and those who carry those values.

As per today’s news :

[Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealed more about Monis' background in his press briefing this morning.

“What we do know is that the perpetrator was well known to State and Commonwealth authorities. He had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability. We know that he sent offensive letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and was found guilty of offences related to this. We also know that he posted graphic extremist material online. As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult.”]

If the offender was well known to the State and Commonwealth authorities and the authorities knew that the offender had posted graphic extremist material online, then why was he not kept within the observations of the authorities? Why did the authorities not work closely with the Muslim community to prevent this tragedy? In countries where there is freedom of movement and speech facilitated by law – one relies heavily on cultural management of specific problems affecting a community – so it does not become a common problem. The Australian Muslim community needs to take responsibility for the above deaths, to the extent they had the moral responsibility to discipline the offender within the community. One who takes advantage of Multiculturalism needs to take responsibility to contain problems specific to their community within those boundaries. That is the price one has to pay for enjoyment of Diversity.

Towards maintaining that diversity confirming community sovereignty, every community that considers itself to be self-governing – needs to publish its Balance Sheet – through respective  status allocated to its members by the community. The status elevated above common level must equal the status lost by other individuals from within the same community. That is how sovereignty / independence of a community is confirmed.

 If as reported by the media, the offender Mr. Haron Monis was a self-appointed cleric – there should have been specific evidence of downgrading by the Australian Muslim community – to dismiss such self-elevation by individuals who have not been accepted as leaders by that community.  Mr. Monis should have been ‘included’ by the good within the Muslim community instead being abandoned to the wider system and its complexities that cannot be easily comprehended even by the majority who have responsibility to Administer the whole.

A Sri Lankan of Sinhalese origin stated in this regard:

“The reality is that the Muslims themselves have no control over their religion... the moment they become too influenced by their faith there's a bunch of lunatics who think they can demand Sharia compliance in non-Muslim nations... this is one reason why I have objected to halal, Sharia banking, Sharia courts etc... each step leads the people and non-Muslims towards what we have seen happening in Sydney...where armed men think they can rule over the Muslims and non-Muslims...therefore Muslims need to realize that every time they ask for more Muslim demands it leads to a state that has resulted in Sydney with time.”

I responded as follows on the basis of the information known to me at that time:

“There was no ‘Muslim’ state influence in yesterday’s problem. It was very much confirmation of Australian health in terms of multiculturalism. The hijacker was an individual – with a very negative past.”

But after reading today’s news – especially the above comments by Prime Minister Abbott, I do feel that it is a community problem. Sri Lankans have not invested in Multiculturalism as much as Australians. Hence the above cannot be applied as is to the Sydney situation. But if we draw up a Balance Sheet for Sri Lanka who through her government claims  to be a Sovereign nation – the higher  status allocated to Buddhists through the Constitution comes from the reduction in status for other religions. Unless therefore there is high level of devolution in terms of religious management  -  any administrative involvement carries the high risk of  unjust discrimination by the majority power. Common belief/faith  is the basis of our authority and therefore status over others. If therefore common cultural belief is stronger than common national belief – then devolution is needed to preserve that belief which is a natural base for sovereignty.

In Australia – there is no religious preference shown in the Constitution or the common law. Hence those of us who operate at policy level – independent of subjects in leading positions – including that of the Prime Minister – would be naturally using the common path to find the reasons why. Our national belief would be at the highest common level due to our use of the common law rather than a subject with strong cultural affiliation.

Today when a minute’s silence was observed by the cricketers and their fans at the start of the Australia v India match – our family observed silence at home.  When the national anthems of both nations were sung – we stood up and participated quietly. I felt more emotional when the Australian National Anthem was sung – probably due to this week’s experience of the Martin Place tragedy which happened despite my investment in commonness. The  ‘status’ I demonstrated to my own mind – was equal to both nations. Cricket is a global sport which has helped Hindu India merge with Christian Australia – specifically because Cricket is global – using global laws and rules in a transparent way.

Within both sides there are  bound to be members who are more Hindu Indian or  Christian Australian respectively, than common cricketer.  But to the extent they play the game in the consciousness of the common laws governing cricket – they would not bring that out while playing cricket in a global environment. Even if they are not – if the majority power in the team is common – it would control the minorities naturally.

Therein lies the solution to the problems damaging our investment in Multiculturalism.  Those of us who feel common – need to elevate ourselves on the basis of our genuine investment – so that the separatists including in government would be defeated. To my mind, John Howard was a separatist when he was Prime Minister.   Hence we had Bali Bombing which cost more Australian lives. Having warned Mr. Howard in vain in 1999 – I felt then as I do now that Mr. Howard failed in his duty to discipline his cultural side of their excesses against a Common Australian such as myself.   Hence I did not feel anxiety but just sadness when the tragedy happened. I continue to pray at the Coogee Memorial for Bali Victims – including Indonesians. To me it was no coincidence that the loss happened in Hindu Bali – to balance the Christian partnership between Mr. Howard and Mr. Bush.  I have not seen Mr. Howard as a civilian at the Coogee Memorial. I saw his picture in the news reports – paying his respects to this week’s victims. The higher duty is to pay respect to Bali  Victims in Coogee which happened during Mr. Howard’s time as Prime Minister. One who owns would never forget. One who is always  conscious of  responsibility for the whole  has natural healing powers. That person is a Sovereign person.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 17 December 2014

Australian Muslim & Sri Lankan Tamil

Yesterday we Australians successfully upheld our Multicultural values.  I fully identified with the way the ‘terrorism threat’ in Sydney was managed by our government with the support of the Police. The calm and successful leadership of Premier Mike  Baird went a long way to influence the much needed unity of mind to bring about a closure with least damage. Our hearts and minds were with the victims and how they must have felt.  I believe that every time we invest in Truth – we invest in the protection of the environment we feel a part of.

There were fears of attacks against Australian Muslims and to their  credit the Australian authorities prepared us and themselves against such attacks. More than that I felt that our minds could connect and repair other minds through common faith.

The following communication with a American Christian of Sri Lankan origin might help appreciate how such experiences affect us civilians and our order of thoughts:

American Christian :  ‘Muslims and Hindus do NOT belong in Western Christendom!  How many times have I to say it!  How can any country be “happy” with them? Australia simply has to follow the advice of Bhikku Aswin Wirathu: “Kill them”! If not, round all these bastards and deport them to Saudi Arabia! You got to do something!  Talk alone will solve nothing here.’

Australian Tamil (myself) : “You are being very insensitive to the situation here in Sydney.  The negative energy generated by the likes of you who are intolerant of multiculturalism contributes strongly to this kind of behaviour. You are a separatist yourself.   I do not want any more conversations with this group that lacks sensitivity to be with victims of tragedy”

American Christian : We have “sensitivities”, too.  But since you seem to talk so much about “Truth”, one would be excused to infer that you  have a monopoly of it. When you cannot face the “Truth”, regarding your continued stay in Western Christendom while propagating your Hindu philosophy and thinking, you talk about “sensitivities”.  You conveniently dodge the question put to you about your “Tamil Management Service” festooned with Hindu cows and dancing Shivas when it is in reality an euphemism for “Hindu Management Service”!

You can take the decision best suited for you.  There are quite a number knocking at the door of this Forum to enter it.You can go and practice your “multiculturalism” in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Saudi Arabia, but not in Western Christendom.Australians (Sydney hostage crisis) must be now cursing the word, “multiculturalism”!

Australian Tamil (myself): As per my mind, you are a separatist and you confirmed it yet again during our hour of need.  You did not feel for the Australians in this forum and hence your insensitive remarks last night. The place where the siege was happening – is close to where I worked and where my daughter and son in law and many other relatives and friends work.  Even though I knew that they were safely home – my heart was with others who were being held captive. Our relatives / family are part of our primary structures and through whom we make connections to wider society.  You were upset when your friend’s wife passed away. I was upset that fellow Australians were experiencing death fears. I felt it as if I was there not as myself but as them.  It’s a natural feeling about which you seem to know very little. One of the first things I did was to pray to Our Lady at St Mary’s Cathedral nearby.  The place at which the siege was happening is near the Court building where I registered my belief. Often I sought the blessings of Queen Victoria (opposite the Court Building) when I went in. I went to church when I came out of the Courts – after being dismissed by judges – most of whom must have been Christians.  I shared my true pain with Mother Mary and Jesus Christ who also suffered due to weak governance in His environment. I could invoke those investments I made at that place by absorbing the pain and not by retaliating and joining the LTTE which I could easily have done.  By the way – VP converted to Christianity and if you have to blame religions – blame Christianity first in the case of Tamils of Sri Lanka. In the case of yesterday’s gunman  I am not used to praying to Allah but instead I invoked my investment in Muslims in Sri Lanka.   When we invest without having received return – it becomes positive Energy which could be invoked any time anywhere. If like you with Christianity - I hated  believers in all religions other than Hinduism – I would not be able to influence those others. When someone expressed anxiety for himself over yesterday’s violence – my husband said spontaneously ‘Gaja was with the victims of war in the camps. She has been through more risky situations and yet has always been looked after’.  Even though my husband is not like me – he appreciates the value of my strength.

In terms of my Hindu logo – I did not calculate but expressed myself after I was repeatedly dismissed by the Australian Government and the Courts. But this morning during meditation I thought about it as per your question as to why there are no Christian representations in my logo. The response from within me was that it carries the ‘lesson’ needed by Australians and wider world. It is educational to those who are naturally connected to me – that there is room in Australia for minorities to express their belief through their diverse cultural forms. To my mind – you assimilated and hence you are pushing for expression of belief in one form only – whilst taking credit as American. As indicated  yesterday you are just like those Muslims  who abuse their religion for lower purposes. Every person who reacts at that level is a separatist him/herself.  Amongst the lot influenced by you are Tamils of Sri Lanka with little investment in multiculturalism. This is  so – not only because of your Tamil origin but also because of your assimilation with an environment as per your comfort. Such inheritance is carried forward by the family you were born into – and to the extent you have not settled your debt to that family – you would continue to carry that debt which becomes a sin when your mind is not able to control it.  The parallel of that in medicine is hereditary genes.

Integration often takes sacrifice of lower level benefits that come our way.  Your high level of intelligence has not been used to improve social cohesion. You still want to ‘win’ as an individual and you abandon the Truth known to you in this process.  The last time you and XXXX offended me using my belief in Hinduism and I said I would not pray for you – you asked me to pray. That is the Truth. But habitually you have to win with least current effort.  This overrides the Truth you know – and what comes out is that person greedy for wins. That’s when you confirm that you are a separatist. One who truly succeeds would sacrifice lower wins for the higher enjoyment of Oneness. The Australian flag in my logo confirms that oneness with Australia.  On the other side is Nanthi – the bull representing Intellectual power – representing the University path through which I realised this Oneness in  Australia.  Dancing Nadaraj in the middle is Kinetic Energy. This form depicts all five forms of Energy – working together as if they are One.  To my mind  - that confirms the value of Multiculturalism. At Energy level – the form differences are not visible.  Hence we migrants have to continue to be active to consolidate our energies. The lamp at the top is from our Vairavar-Kali  temple in Vaddukoddai  Sri Lanka – depicting the  Blessings of Ancestors who invested to realize their sovereignty and shared that energy with us through common customs and laws. The flame in the middle is the wisdom of our ancestors and the flames around it are us – who have inherited their wisdom and are showing that wisdom as our own. I did not plan any of this but wrote every one of it in my own deeper mind – as per my Truth.

Unless you have changed since last night – I do not expect you to study this in detail towards a better understanding of multiculturalism.

Multiculturalism is failing those who benefit from it but fail to invest in it. Through my own experiences I believe that Multiculturalism would bring us together as Australians and take us as One group beyond local borders. Each one of can invest in such Energies including through social forums where participants are more free in sharing emotions and feelings. Most of us would look beyond our local borders and whether we recognize it or not – the grouping that we feel supported by becomes our Mother group. Hence if one could carry the label  Sri Lankan Tamil another is entitled to name himself Australian Muslim. When we carry that with dignity of our inherent sovereignty – we add positive energies at all places at all times we feel part of. All negative discrimination karma is cured by such energies.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 16 December 2014

The Value of our Vote

I received the sad news that Sinnarasu - a member of our Local Community in Northern Sri Lanka suffered heart-attack while working in the farm – using his tractor. I remember also the loss of my dear uncle Visvanathan while working his farm similarly in Kilinochchi. Sinnarasu is not part of our family and yet due to my work in Vattukottai area – I feel for his family. As for Sinnarasu – he did not suffer due to old age.

With all this in my mind, I read Sri Lanka Guardian article ‘Tamil Vote: Is It 2005, Again?’ by Tissaranee Gunasekera.  Ms Gunasekera states ‘The current situation of the North is both alarming and pathetic. Poverty is extremely high – according to the Headcount Index, it is 28.8% in Vanni, 12.7% in Killinochchi, 20.1% in Mannar and 8.3% in Jaffna. Only Vavuniya at 3.4%, has a poverty-ratio lower than the national average of 6.7% . Unemployment is high as well’

Given that the article is about the Tamil vote and its influence in Presidential elections – it is more important for  us to be driven by how Tamils feel about themselves. If the vote is the parallel of statistics, governance is the parallel of  ownership service. As per my feelings as a Tamil – Vattukottai that suffered much due to the war is more self-sufficient than it was in 2005. Hence I do not identify with the above statistics.

Ms Gunasekera states also  ‘The Rajapaksas do not need Tamil votes to win. They just need Tamils to abstain from voting. The Rajapaksas understood this in 2005. That is why they did a deal with the LTTE to impose an election-boycott on Tamils’

I take  the above as an accepted account of what happened during the 2005 Presidential elections.  I must say I was unhappy that Tamils were suppressed by the LTTE from exercising their rights to vote. But as I appreciate these days through a more mature mind – the LTTE’s vision did not extend beyond armed win. If  Ranil had won Tamil unemployment would have been high under LTTE. 

Even in 2005 – the LTTE  knew that the Tamil People on their own would vote for Peace. That would have meant loss of jobs for the LTTE. In 2010  Presidential elections – Tamil voters by voting for General Sarath Fonseka confirmed that they did not hold the armed forces responsible for the death of Tamils in 2009. The grievance was against the Policies by the Government elected by majority race. The vote of Tamils in the 2015 elections would confirm whether to the Tamil citizen – the situation has improved since 2010 or whether it has gotten worse. Like with immigration, irrespective of  the form in which we express ourselves – for most Tamils Colombo (therefore President / Government)  is about employment / jobs.

As an individual, I believe that God’s system has worked on many occasions to balance the equation for me as per my own inner structures in relation to jobs.  Most Tamils of my generation prayed for particular outcomes especially in terms of jobs.  They did not think that if they had the visible qualifications that was enough. There is of course the known and seen efforts by us as individuals, the structures that supported us to get to that place at that time and above all – the urge that motivated us from within. 

In early life – when I felt unjustly treated by custodians of power – I absorbed that pain and carried on performing as per my allocated position. Unlike LTTE I did not retaliate. This helped me look beyond custodians of power for my own inner satisfaction. I relied heavily on my belief in God to fill the gap. This helped me wait until I had reached my peak – at the University of New South Wales – before producing my own returns of karma – but without violating others’ work.  This was largely through Gandhi’s path of peaceful non-violent non-cooperation. Hence whilst others accumulated more money wealth  - I developed self-governance ownership in Australia as well as in Sri Lanka.

The form of that God in my mind was as per my family structures. Later, I added my own forms through my life as an independent person. This continued in Australia where my Sri Lankan qualifications were not recognized but my work was by those in need. But within me I upheld the Sri Lankan structure that groomed me to be a Professional. Even when I did basic bookkeeping work – my standards were those of a Chartered Accountant. I thus upheld the investments in common structures by Sri Lankans who recognized themselves as Sri Lankans. I do not know of any in my age group who qualified as Professionals through Tamil only or Sinhala only structures.

This quiet acceptance of lower positions but without compromising on the higher Sri Lankan standards, eventually led to me finding opportunities without actively seeking. The last private sector position with Lend Lease – a large successful organization here in Australia – happened without me applying for any job there. The employment agent to whom I had gone previous contacted me asking me whether I was available?  Christians say ‘Knock and it shall open’.  The knocking happened when I completed my previous job to my satisfaction but was not facilitated to progress to the higher level and therefore in my mind I was ready for the next job.   To the deep investor – the knocking happens in the mind – on the door of our own investments in higher opportunities through our conduct.

Likewise in voting,  those who have invested in governance would invoke their powers by knocking automatically on their own doors of opportunities – within themselves. True Buddhists would invoke such powers that would help sustain Buddhist management structures in South and true Hindus would invoke such powers that would help sustain Hindu management structures in North. True Muslims and True Christians would be the common bridges that link the two cultures – provided they believe they are Sri Lankan Muslims and Sri Lankan Christians and not look beyond for support from areas where Muslims and Christians are in majority. Minorities need to complete their experience with what they have – so that they would be more open to recognizing the contribution by their belief in God in filling the gap to produce outcomes of standards equal any member of majority group. It’s the quality that confirms the divine support from within.

Votes are about belief and how it works for the individual. The level of self-governance is determined by the level of belief in oneself. Any grouping to influence the mind at the last minute is a block in this path between governance and voting – be it by the Common Candidate by the Sinhalese Opposition or by the Tamil National Alliance who are the ruling power in North and East. In terms of the Diaspora – their inner vote would influence residents through their own belief that they are part of that community – not because of  the seen or even the known but because of how they feel with the folks at the grassroots level. Those members of the Diaspora who work for status benefits in their own circles would not have this power because those voters at grassroots level in Sri Lanka are not part of  that circle through the nucleus of Oneness. Every stroke of the work of a Diaspora member who feels for the current voter as part of her/himself  would naturally influence the voter at ground level. The greater the benefits we receive / take for our work – the less our investment in this natural influencing power of belief.

Ms Gunasekera states ‘Ensuring a low voter-turnout in the North and the East will be a key Rajapaksa aim.’

LTTE suppressed the freedom of Tamil voter and elected Mr. Rajapaksa – effectively to kill them. In 2005 itself the Tamil Community had enough evidence of the limits of the LTTE to lead Tamils. Whoever suppresses the freedom of a Community which has lost much in its quest to maintain its diversity – through belief based self-governance – is doing a repeat of LTTE suppression. If this is  TNA then they lose political power – as Mr. John Howard did here in Australia by suppressing migrants from Asia – most of it subconsciously due to lack of  investment in global communities. If it is the Diaspora – Tamil or Sinhalese – then they would lose governance power in their own countries of residence in their own respective circles where they are leaders. One who promotes self-governance in others develops self-governance in her/himself. Once realized self-governance would work any time anywhere to protect and guide the person – like a guardian angel.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 15 December 2014

Australian Facilities not for  Sri Lankan Politics

Recent news reports on Sri Lanka included an item about statements by the  Hon Don Randall, MP in the Australian Parliament. The opening statement was:

“It is shocking and outrageous that Senator Lee Rhiannon of the Greens made a statement in this parliament on 26 November 2014 which demonstrates that one of the senators of this parliament commemorated the brutal terrorist leader Prabhakaran, who not only killed innocent civilians but killed democratically elected politicians in Sri Lanka.”

As Mr. Randall ought to know, a big chunk of the Sri Lankan Government has switched over to become the opposition in the upcoming Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka. That government was in power when the LTTE leader Prabhakaran was killed in May 2009. If LTTE were believed  to be Terrorists and thousands killed in the alleged process of annihilating  their power – then that indeed ought to have been the most pressing problem facing Sri Lankans. All elected members who so believed – had the duty to continue to stay under the leadership of President Rajapaksa to confirm this belief.  If it is believed that the risk of Terrorism is  no longer a threat – and therefore they are crossing over for civil work – then the Australian Government also needs to respect that and facilitate the healing process. From then on LTTE would be history and not part of current work in progress.

As individuals we have the natural ability to maintain the Balance of Sovereignty. The mind in which we store positive values about ourselves would support us when our physical environment unjustly upsets our balance. Realized values of Sovereignty not only empower the individual but the group that the individual is a part of .  Social devolution is needed towards facilitating this at the citizens’ level. The law and government have the responsibility to not interfere with this social mobilization, based on the Truth experienced by a community.

I am a Tamil and I identify with the need for Tamils of Sri Lanka to develop self-governing systems – not only at the political level but also at administrative and business levels. The stronger the Governance Power of a citizen, the more reliable the Administration. Self-Devolution is required to accommodate confidential management of issues on subjective basis where there is not enough investment in democracy and its essential quality of Transparency. As per my own experience as a migrant of Sri Lankan origin – Australian systems do not facilitate this privacy through Equal Opportunity Principles and Values.  It is therefore important for Australian civilians to develop their self-governance through common belief – including through common experiences of the war. As a representative of minority group of politicians, Senator Lee Rhiannon is more likely to identify with minority issues than Mr. Randall who is part of the Liberal Party. The accusations against Senator Lee Rhiannon confirm this pattern at community level by Sinhalese against Tamils. That is in essence Sri Lankan politics on Australian soil.

Some of us feel the need to diffuse negative energies developed by Australian politicians so that the risk of Terrorism earned naturally by using hearsay is diluted and Australia is protected from further damage due to majority power being used to ‘judge’. Majority power, to be of value, needs to be limited to giving shape to an issue. There needs to be least interference from majority power in the substance of the issue if the issue is to be the common source of unification. In this instance the issue is Equal Opportunity for all to realize and maintain our inherent Sovereignty. Those used to majority power would need to consciously override this natural path if we as a society are to rise to the higher level of intellectual discrimination empowered by Truth.

One needs to be driven by one’s own Truth in politics for the work done by one to benefit the whole. In Administration, one needs to consciously apply common measures to allocate rights and wrongs. As we discover Truth through our own experiences – we develop a structure within our mind in which,  positions are allocated to others as per the Truth discovered. These internal positions  often do not match the position seen externally. To be reliable – these positions need to be - various forms of our own Truth. That is when we are self-governing.

At Governance level – one looks at the issue as part of oneself and does not allocate higher status to one over the other outside the respective positions in one’s own mind as per the Truth one has discovered. In other words, governance is beyond politics and beyond administration and yet inclusive of the discoveries of Truth made through both pathways. Political power in autocracy is exercised through time based seniority and in democracy  through space based majority. In countries like Australia with large migrant population majority power has priority status over seniority power.

In the mind of the Hon Don Randall therefore, the governance base needs to be as per his own experience of Truth – through Australians of  Sinhalese origin and  Australians of Tamil origin respectively. As per my experience the irreconcilable differences between the two groups far outweigh the commonness. Hence the two groups need to be of Equal status to facilitate their independence in working towards realizing their inherent Sovereignty. Towards this there is no room in Australian parliament for matters outside those experienced by Australians. Irrespective of whether it is Velupillai Prabhakaran or Mahinda Rajapaksa – neither is a criminal or hero in Australian parliament nor to Australian society except through the global positions as recognized through the lawful process. The Australian Parliament is for Australians. A migrant from Sri Lanka  may carry in her/his mind one as a hero and the other as a villain. But when expressing in Australia as an Australian one has the responsibility to mention neither except through the law. One needs to speak through oneself and that may very well be that s/he is seen as Mahinda Rajapaksa or Velupillai Prabhakaran by others. But for Australian purposes – both are parts of the processes through which we made discoveries about the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka. No Australian has the right to use common Australian facility to glorify or condemn individuals not covered by Australian official structure or higher.

  It must be appreciated that to majority Tamils who migrated to Australia due to the war – the Sri Lankan Government is the root cause of the problem whilst to majority Sinhalese – the LTTE was the root cause of the war.  A Governor would facilitate each side  to express its belief -  without fear or violation of rights  – in environments similar to parliamentary environment. To the extent the diversity is greater than the commonness – the two sides need to be facilitated to  travel parallel to each other – each preserving its own diversity. In other words – they are Australians of  Tamil origin and Australians of Sinhalese origin. Sri Lanka is bypassed due to the high level of irreconcilable differences.

Adherence to these natural orders of Truth is important if  we Australians are to add value to our common values  through migration from war-torn countries such as Sri Lanka. Many of us are working relentlessly to develop self-governance facilities in the nations we have migrated to. Often the strongest blocks are from seniors who are more comfortable with the subjective system of autocracy than with the practice of majority vote in politics. If politics is exercised in place of common principles and law – the result is separation due to freedom in democracy to express oneself independent of seniors. That was the root cause of the Tamil problem which resulted in young Tamils taking over leadership but without the necessary democratic structures towards self-governance.  In contrast, the Sinhalese kept going back to time based seniority in claiming  ownership – in addition to using majority rule to elect government. This pattern is confirmed by the affiliations respectively in Australian Parliament also – with minority supporting minority and majority supporting majority.  Young ones on both sides would inherit the Truth discovered by their respective sides.  Australia is also such a beneficiary inheriting values from both sides to the war of global proportions. To the extent they are true values they would enrich Australians who believe in the migrant from Sri Lanka. It is essential that distractions based on hearsay and others’ non-Australian local measures are eliminated from the process of discovery.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 13 December 2014

Natural Land Ownership

I learnt from my Spiritual Guru – Swami Sai Baba – that there were three I’s – the I others think I am – the I, I think  I am and the real I.  In common terminology they are the body, mind and soul.  The soul I is eternal and is connected to all other soul ‘I’s.

Land ownership likewise could be valued at the three levels – the seen, the calculated and the being. One who believes is the Natural owner. Knowing and recognizing this is important for Governments especially in countries like Sri Lanka where there are wars on the basis of physical occupation of land. Wrong claims of ownership used against a believer -   sow the seeds of the next war.   Due to us being connected to each other through our souls – what we do to others come to us for better or for worse when at least one is a believer.

There is a Tamil saying in relation to God in stone form – ‘One who sees stone does not see God and one who sees God does not see stone’. Now that we Sri Lankans are in election mode – it could be said that one who sees the voter does not see the governor and one who sees the governor does not see the voter. I consider myself to be of the latter category – thanks to my experience in Australia. Today, there was some discussion about the article ‘President on the mat’ at Lanka Truth ( www.lankatruth.com) – in relation Sri Lankan President praying at Sri Venkateshwara Temple at  Thirupathi, in India.  A fellow contributor to Sri Lankan values  wrote that it was not very nice to see a Buddhist pray at Hindu Temple and asked the question: ‘What is Buddha Sasana saying about it?’.  I responded as follows:

“I interpret it as part of the Reconciliation Process. No one can fool God. To the extent MR (Mahinda Rajapaksa) has belief in Hindu Philosophy – through his own personal experiences – he is accessing the minds of Hindus who believe in Lord Vishnu – and that includes mine. I have already received  a good report out of the same event and blessed MR. Governors bless each other and voters. I believe that my blessings would bring real governing power to MR irrespective of whether he wins or loses at the elections.  It was after losing in Australian courts – that I became a wholesome governor of Australia.”

A medical doctor asked in relation to the above response:

1.      ‘What’s the purpose of blessings for governing power when or if MR loses.’

2.      ‘I thought Peter Cosgrove is the governor of Australia’

I  responded:

1.      What position does god have in your life?  The position of governor is a divine position and often can be lost consciousness of when we are too busy with the materialistic positions.

2.      ‘You confirm that you know nothing about self-governance’

This applies to many participants on both sides of  the Sri Lankan ethnic border. Below is a conversation with a Sinhalese:

1.Sinhalese:  ‘The LTTE were terrorists, whichever way one looks at it.  Any entity that raises arms against a democratically elected government and murders in the name of  Eelam or a homeland, cannot be considered heroic by any means.’ 

GP (myself):    If you say they are Terrorists – then you must accept that to you a Government that includes Karuna is also Terrorist government. We need consistency in applying the rule.

I am not bound by  your rules.  To the extent the Sri Lankan Government or the Australian Government list them as Terrorists – I have the duty to accept that.  But I have no such duty to alienate them. I would expect a good Sinhalese to likewise not alienate the JVP. That is how politics works to internally unite communities.

2.Sinhalese:  The homeland of the Tamils is Tamil Nadu, if at all as the area consisting of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh is the home of Dravidian culture.  That is where the Tamils of Sri Lanka came from, with their culture and religion.  They did not evolve here.  Having made Sri Lanka their home, they are Sri Lankan Tamils and by that argument, people of the nation of Sri Lanka.  The Sinhalese, too, have their ancestry in India but the Sinhalese race as we know it, evolved within Sri Lanka, as did the language. There lies the difference, if one is interested in the difference.  What, then, is the homeland of the Sinhalese?  

GP:      I am Australian and I became Australian by upholding my diversity and not by submitting it to Australian mainstream culture. To the extent I feel Tamil – Tamils evolved in Australia. Many Tamils are doing so by rejecting Sri Lanka. I don’t. I include and that is the way of integration. The higher minds integrate. If you are living in a country outside Sri Lanka – as per my observations you would not feel ownership in that nation. You would continue to ‘think’ Sri Lankan.  Feeling Sri Lankan takes sacrifice. I sacrificed Australian benefits to uphold my Sri Lankan qualifications – and even went to prison doing so.  But I upheld my self-dignity as a Sri Lankan.  By doing so – I realised that I was true multicultural Australian – not because the law says so or the one with authority says so. Because I know so.  If you respect the law, you would accept others who are Sri Lankans as Sri Lankans. Full stop. If it is as per your own cultural thinking – then you need to specify what those measures are. If it is about the Land – you cannot be a true Buddhist. According to Buddha’s message through his own life – Nirvana is achieved when you renounce lower level benefits / desires. Once Nirvana is achieved – the whole world is yours and you belong to the whole world.

3.Sinhalese:  The Sinhalese, too, have their ancestry in India but the Sinhalese race as we know it, evolved within Sri Lanka, as did the language. There lies the difference, if one is interested in the difference.  What, then, is the homeland of the Sinhalese?  

GP:If you consider yourself to be Sinhalese of Lankan origin – that is fine. There may be others who would consider themselves to be Sinhalese of Indian origin.  You have the sovereign rights to give form to yourself as per your own belief for your own purposes. But you do not have the right to enforce it on others to claim status. One who has protected her/his sovereignty at all times – would respect and not interfere with others’ sovereignty. The homeland of Sinhalese is Sri Lanka. But the homeland of Buddhists is India. Language is only the looks of our culture.  Belief is the life of culture. If you are looking for ancestry – then some Lankan Buddhists have their origins in India and others in Sri Lanka.  Likewise Hindus.  Kathragama Muruga is not a Buddhist deity. Yet majority worshippers at Kathragama are Buddhists. But the belief of Hindus in Muruga is deeper due to the belief that Muruga is Tamil Hindu God. This does not mean Tamils ‘possess’ but that Tamils have greater opportunity to access Tamil minds – especially in Tamil Nadu – the Land of Origin of Muruga philosophy.

4.Sinhalese:  As for the occupying forces, what rubbish is that?  It is the prerogative of the MOD (Ministry of Defence) to place the forces where they think fit. Please go down South or anywhere in the country and count the number of army and STF camps there are.

GP:If you accept the armed forces in South inviting outsiders into those areas – you cannot be a good civilian. You have abandoned your civil rights based on your position rights to the armed forces. Don’t expect Tamils to do likewise. It’s the civilian who upholds her/his self-dignity as per her/his position – who would maintain the dignity of Sri Lanka anywhere anytime. That is me and not you.

One does not need physical occupation or legal title to feel that one belongs to the land. All one needs is Belief. Such belief develops when we are true at that place. Like time based memorial services, these are place based Energies.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 12 December 2014

Pāda Yātrā or Foot Pilgrimage by Patrick Harrigan 

 Pilgrims of all ages, mostly simple villagers from the North and East, walk from as far as Jaffna. 

Lord of Minorities

Seeing the picture of the Common Opposition Candidate in the Sri Lankan Presidential Elections 2015 -  Mr. Maithripala Sirisena at Kathirgamam – in the Sri Lanka Guardian article Political Culture Of Sri Lanka by Helasingha Bandara I thought of the time I received sweet rice at Kathirgamam in 2005.  The spot at which I received the sweet rice was slightly to the left of  the spot where Mr. Sirisena is standing in the picture and I recognized one of the Kapuralas (Sinhala Priests) as the one who gave me the sweet rice – mistaking me for a Sinhalese lady he was speaking to before the poojah (mass) commenced.

I thought of all that during meditation and thanked the Lord for recognizing my true faith in the Higher Powers and taking care of me when there was no one else to do so. That particular day in 2005 – was the day after I submitted the Tsunami Reconstruction proposal to the President (Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga at that time).  It was an unexpected success because I did not know any of the Ministerial staff of the Hon Douglas Devananda to have had subjective influence to join the party that was arranged to meet the President.  But I believe I worked at the highest standards in that Tsunami damaged area – and did so with faith.  Not only was my Tsunami proposal approved – but my dedication to thanksgiving was also rewarded when I went to Kathirgamam. I went alone using public transport and was very hungry. Despite being hungry I did not go in search of food but  took my place as one of the first in the queue to go into the temple for the poojah. The Sinhalese lady who was chatting to the Kapurala before the poojah – came in much later but stood next to me – almost at the spot where Mr. Sirisena is seen standing in the picture. But I got the rice meant for that lady. I took it to the Ganesh temple next door - with a Tamil priest and ate the rice. My heart melts when I think about the Grace of the Lord – who knew I needed food.

In his article The Presidential Election Is In The Lap Of The Gods?   Victor Cherubim also raises one’s thoughts in the issue of Presidential elections. Most of us know that there is the unseen and unknown influence of God in the outcomes that affect us – but not many of us actually pause to work it out – so we would not forget.   Those of us who do attribute – develop the ‘thanksgiving system’ within us.

Mr. Helasingha Bandara states  about election time in Sri Lanka - ‘The country has a circus atmosphere and it really is entertaining. For a whole month or so the poor and the rich alike are entertained. Indeed the entertainment value of this whole saga should not me undermined because at least for the poor masses, elections are the only means of entertainment.’

To a large degree, the reason for such entertainment is because the voter becomes important during this period.  To my mind, the more important question is ‘what does the voter need through the government?’ Most Sri Lankans, while praying to God for particular outcomes fail to attribute a portion of the enjoyment to that God – in thanksgiving. One Tamil lady said to me that soon after  she was married she had had the experience at Kathirgamam that taught her the lesson that no matter comes with ‘one side only’.  This lady who is tall by Lankan standards had experienced difficulty when getting her basket of offerings back after the poojah.  The lady said she had then prayed to Lord Muruga to give her a tall daughter.  Her first-born – a good-looking  daughter - is tall but they are experiencing difficulty finding a taller husband! This is also the lesson from Karpagatharu /‘Wish-Fulfilling’ tree mentioned in Hindu Bhagawath Geetha.  The roots of that tree are in Heaven and the branches in Earth. The tree hangs upside down.  One who wishes sweets from under the tree does get the wish but also with it the stomach-ache  that happens later. Lord Krishna says to Prince Arjuna to cut that tree across its trunk to disconnect the branches from the root.

To my mind, the branches produce matter / fruits but the root cause is in Truth known through God’s system. If we have not worked for such outcomes – we would have to pay later. If we have – and we project as per our mind – we leave no room for Lord’s contribution to the outcome in return for our faith. Once we lose consciousness of the fruits (denoted by cutting off the branches) we are in  a better position to recognize  the outcome through the Lord’s wholesome blessings.  When we ask for particular – we can only project as per our work and our imagination. But we would not know the higher component added through our faith in God. The earlier we seek the stronger the contribution from Above.

Today, someone wrote as follows in response to the upcoming elections:

[This is a very crucial time for Tamils as well as others to not to rock the boat and allow Mahinda to win another term. If that happened KP (former LTTE) will get the North and EAST on a platter, and you may have to get a VISA to travel to Jaffna.]

I responded :

[North & East under KP  may be more easily managed by Tamils – especially pro LTTE Tamils. As for visa to go to Jaffna – we already have to do that through MOD (Ministry of Defence)  clearance. By its very nature, the visa system confirms separation – exactly what the LTTE wanted. Combine Karuna (former LTTE  leader in the East), KP and the visa system – the Government has effectively delivered what the LTTE sought.   That is how Truth manifests Itself.   Look at the issue and you will see the beauty of Truth.

The more focused we are on the issue – the better our ability to influence outcomes through God’s system. I feel that this is why in the system of democracy - one is required to produce objectively measurable outcomes as confirmation of one’s independence. These outcomes once produced are open to be used by all concerned as per their own needs and desires. If they are not suitable – then the independent user would lose consciousness of them.

All of us develop a system as per our own genuine and independent contribution  - sometimes transparent and at others confidential. Ultimately it is that system that determines the value of the outcomes for us. Those driven by quick outcomes are likely to have the insight/third eye  to recognize the workings of this system. One without such insight would  get what he asks for at Kathirgamam, provided he has done enough praying to win at the surface level. If it is stomach-ache time for Sri Lankan  Government – then the loser is the real winner – saved by his deep faith in God. Such a person would contribute to Governance with or without portfolio.  Often this happens through Administration where the person is active. Administration is a combination of Governance and Voting values. Tamils with strong feelings of self-governance even though a minority in terms of voting power, become strong Administrators due to this reason. The vote of Tamils is largely symbolic in Presidential elections. It’s their governance power that be attractive to real leaders.

Every time a Sinhalese prays to Lord Muruga s/he bonds with Tamil minds. Tamils must learn the art of accepting that belief as the belief in minorities and work the system of minorities – as Lord Muruga is the Lord of Minorities. The 13^th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution verified legally the claim of believers in Lord Muruga,  who walked from Jaffna in North through East Coast to Kathirgamam in South in their Belief. Belief is the basic entitlement to natural ownership.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 11 December 2014

Ownership Claim by Occupying Security Forces

Picture by Sameera Shaakunthala at Wikipedia

The Test - Known Devil or the Unknown Angel?

Today’s mail brought message which probed the current situation in Sri Lanka - through the question  whether Mr. Maitripala Sirisena – the Common Candidate fielded against  Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lankan Presidential elections 2015 would deliver as promised?  To  many Mr. Sirisena is the unknown angel and Mr. Rajapksa the known devil.  The promises we make are our unknown angels. The unpleasant Truth we know about ourselves is the known devil.

We the citizens need to work out on the basis of the Truth we know about ourselves, whether the angel is real when we get to know the angel through the chosen position – in this instance that of President  with power to appoint Prime Minister. We have to use the promises as the  base – as it is difficult to work out on the basis of his conduct which until recently was seen as being in common with that of President Rajapaksa.

The main promise seems to be to abolish the Executive Presidency. To my mind, the Executive Presidency was the replacement of  the ‘Sinhala-Only’ claim.  It is therefore highly likely that unless there are firm commitments in place to prevent the resurgence of Sinhala-Only attitude by Sinhala politicians – the abolishment of the Executive Presidency would pave the way for form change of  majority’s claim to use the path they are comfortable with. When we have a disease and we keep it confidential for the purpose of curing it without disturbance – that is confirmation that we are traveling in the path of sovereignty. But when we cover up due to fear of losing benefits/pleasures – then the disease evolves into another form with greater strength due to suppression and manifests itself. To my mind that is how Sinhala Only evolved as the Executive Presidency – with  additional strength and where there is no Tamil Opposition – it would be directed at the very race that elects government. This is why they say that we get the government we deserve.  

Those who are not able to feel Oneness with the people they govern need to consciously practice Equal Opportunity principles – through which today’s leader needs to become tomorrow’s follower. Given the losses and pain of the ethnic war – it is difficult to envisage pursuit of Oneness by Sri Lankan leaders on either side of the ethnic divide. Since we have not cured ourselves of racism we have to endure it – live with it. 

It is highly likely that India would continue to show its cultural clout through Tamils to subdue Sinhalese leaders – which resulted in the 13^th Amendment. At policy level the 13^th Amendment did compensate for the damages caused through Sinhala Only legislation. Later – inclusion of LTTE Karuna on the Government’s side did compensate for excesses by the Sri Lankan armed forces whom the ordinary Tamils have had to endure during the past three decades.   This credit collected by the Sri Lankan Government, has somewhat been diluted by the continued accusation of Terrorism foisted on the Tamil community by Sinhala leaders using LTTE. Each one of us contributes to the natural forces when there are genuine feelings invoked either way by such accusations.

It is noteworthy that Mr. Sirisena has not highlighted commitment to the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution.  Without positive commitment to the active implementation of the 13^th Amendment in regular administration, it is highly likely that the abolishment of the Executive Presidency  would effectively shift the greed for physical leadership to influence the leadership desires of  majority race to evolve in a form that would damage the investment made by all Sri Lankans in Multiculturalism and Democracy.

The Land belongs to all those to whom it is ‘home’.  The Law and its lower alternative – Politics through majority vote – can lead us to this goal. When they distract us from that path – the law must be abolished and the politician dismissed – so go it alone on the basis of our own Truth.

An American  friend wrote recently:

‘I’d rather have all the Christian Mexican and Latin illegals in the country than Hindus and Muslims.’

I responded as follows:

As an American in America with Christian majority you have the right to expect and express your preferences. Minorities do not have that right – because majority would have greater difficulty thinking in the mind order of minority. One can express preferences in areas where they are in the majority – for business purposes – so to speak - but they do not have the authority  to claim that as their right nor make it their law. The reason why ‘White Australia’ and Sinhala Only policies failed.

If we run away from our home without settling our debt to that home – we are running away all the time. Those who left Sri Lanka without settling our debt on Sri Lankan soil  - and conveniently ‘forget’ about such debts – become sinners in their new environments.  Running away evolves as chasing away when one thinks one is in power.

Tamils of Sri Lanka are without the support of laws to regulate their path towards realizing land/home ownership in their traditional areas. One can blame the LTTE – but to the extent homes were occupied by armed forces – above the level exercised down South during JVP rebellions – these are further confirmations of ongoing discrimination on the basis of race. If not addressed by the one claiming victory over LTTE – it would become a suppressed debt – the essence of which is carried through to the next life of that leadership position. Next  life happens  when the People give a different form to that leadership position. The debt then becomes irredeemable and becomes a sin that blocks the path of the person/group that suppressed the course of Nature. Like individuals sovereign nations also carry karma. Sins are shown as debilitations in the horoscope.   To the extent Tamils seek outcomes in this generation – they must do the work to preserve the International form given to the ethnic conflict. If  Tamils seek for Mr. Rajapaksa to win – then they are voting to preserve their work to be maintained at the global level. If  Tamils seek change in leadership – they must accept death of the problem in its current form and wait for the reborn leadership to manifest the new form of the same disease.

Gajalakshmi Paramasivam – 09 December 2014