Creating our World
My friend Heather gave me a coffee mug ~ which now enjoys a place of prominence on my desk at work ~ that has a quote from George Bernard Shaw: “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” I believe this is true, and I just finished reading a book that really illustrates that idea.
My friend Suzanne lent me, “Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed” by Philip Hallie. It tells the amazing true story of a Protestant pastor, Andre Trocme, who led the people of his tiny French village in a strictly nonviolent operation which saved about 5,000 Jews during the course of World War II. It is inspirational on so many levels, one of which being the power of individuals to create their own lives and circumstances, rather than getting caught up in what they “should” do, and only finding themselves by default, letting themselves be defined by external rules and laws.
My favorite part is towards the end of the book. Pastor Trocme was travelling with his 12-year old son. He was running to pick up his luggage before catching a connecting train, when he was arrested for running in the station, and thrown into a police van before he knew what had happened. By that time, the authorities were aware of his activities, and he was a wanted man. He knew that before long, the police would ask him his name. Should he lie to save himself? He decided that he could not; regardless of his purpose, it would be “bearing false witness”. His ultimate purpose was not to stay alive, but to live a good life while it lasted, using Jesus as his model for behavior. Upon resigning himself to the truth, he immediately became calm, and suddenly remembered his son, waiting for him on the platform. He began telling his story to the officers, explaining that he had not been running away from them, that he was merely late for a train, and that he needed to get back to his son who was waiting for him alone. The officers were moved by this, and distracted from their protocol ~ and so they never did ask him for his identification. They brought him back to his son, and instead of hauling them both away, they escorted the Trocmes to the line of people waiting to enter the next terminal and continue travelling. Unfortunately, there was a security checkpoint at the front of the line, where they were checking identification papers and comparing them to a list of photographs of wanted individuals.
Pastor Trocme was still resolved not to lie, despite the potential consequences. The arresting officer who had escorted them to the line was still standing with them, charged with making sure that they did not run away before reaching the security checkpoint. However, due to the thoroughness of the checking, the line moved very slowly, and the officer became bored and started talking to his friends. Pastor Trocme seized the opportunity, and he and his son slowly meandered behind a large pillar, hiding them from sight. They then strolled down the stairs, around the corner, outside the station, and boarded a tram just in time to hear the commotion behind them as the authorities noticed their escape too late. The passage concludes, “A quarter of an hour later, they were singing a hymn in a Protestant church, for it was Sunday, and they were free–free, Trocme emphasizes in his notes, without having lied to anyone….Good luck–happy events that have their origin outside of our control–had not deserted the Trocmes. In one of the very few times in the history of the German occupation of France, somebody had been arrested, had been put in a prison van, and had been allowed to leave without a single policeman or soldier thinking of making that fateful, often-heard demand, ‘Papier! Papier!’”
This is only one problem I have with the author’s commentary here ~ if his definition of “good luck” is really “events outside of our control”, then luck had nothing to do with what happened. Trocme created the circumstances that led to his and his son’s escape to safety, on both concrete and abstract levels.
Trocme refused to consider lying to the officers ~ and he never got the opportunity.
Trocme decided to tell the truth ~ and so instead of being occupied concocting a false story, his mind was calm and free to turn to his son.
Trocme spoke up immediately and told the officers about his son ~ and they also focused on the boy, rather than their protocols.
Trocme decided he would not lie at the security checkpoint either ~ and he never got the opportunity.
Trocme decided again that he would tell the truth ~ and so in his resulting calmness, he was able to see the chance to slip away.
Trocme was at peace with his decisions ~ and so his peace pervaded his and his son’s demeanor, allowing them to move away in a manner that was not conspicuous.
The pastor did not make these choices in order to “control” his life, or the Universe. He did what he did in the spirit of creating his circumstances ~ as he imagined his Creator would have done. I am in awe.
Posted in -Estara, Contributing Writers | March 22, 2006
March 24th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Sounds like a riveting book. However, unjustfullness many times begets untruthfullness, and who is to say that is wrong, or right? That only comes from the answers we receive from within outselves. I believe The Universe has us on a predetermined course to do the best we can and to be the best we can be, and at the same time giving us free will. I very much like your book report and found I could not put it down. Thank you, Estara.
March 25th, 2006 at 8:55 am
I think this is a good example of, as Berick put it in one of his posts, “finessing” the Universe ~ Trocme tuned into the flow of energy, and worked WITH it to influence events. He wasn’t *trying* to misdirect the officers, or hoping they would get in trouble for letting him get away. He was not spiteful, he was only trying to live the best life he could, harming none. His spirit of love influenced the events that took place, and returned back to him manifold.
Injustice does indeed often beget lying ~ and of course you are right, Buema, that only the individual can ever determine what is wrong or right for them ~ but for me, what struck me is that this man believed that lying was wrong, *and then behaved accordingly, despite the danger*. He refused to allow circumstances or other individuals pressure him into compromising his values. I am sure that most people who lied to save themselves or others felt no conflict, and felt that they were doing the right thing as well. That is fine too, but it is also more commonly seen, and so I don’t read as many books about them!
Was the pastor brave for doing what he did? Reckless? Foolish? Wise? If the outcome had been different, would that change how we see his actions?
March 25th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
I think this is a great example of true courage. He wanted to stick by his principles that were in his heart and yet he obviously didn’t want to get nabbed/executed. All this with his son waiting nearby counting on him. I’d like to think that by getting into state with himself the answers (talking about getting his son and seeing the opportunity to exit) came to him.
). Thanks for sharing!
I’m listening to a great tape right now by Gerry Spence - a very successful trial lawyer. He encourages preparation but also getting to the truth of a matter within yourself and then reaching the jury. I think when “we’re at peace with the force” we can get a lot of good out of ourselves (even as lawyers
March 27th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
I remember when Jimmy Carter was President and he attempted to stage a rescue of the American hostages in Iran. The military action failed and Carter lost his bid for reelection. If the rescue had been successful, he most likely would have been reelected (although we cannot presume so). Carter was criticized for waiting too long and trying too much to gain a peaceful resolution. He continued to believe that it was important to try and continue trying for peaceful solutions ~ and, of course, he eventually won the Nobel Peace Prize ~ an affirmation, many years later, of his beliefs.
As Trocme was living his beliefs, so, too, has Jimmy Carter lived his beliefs ~ and, many, many others who simply do not make the news reports. And, I too believe that our own Universe is created from our own thoughts and beliefs and our resultant behaviors.
April 1st, 2006 at 1:09 pm
This is a great story, and a great example of one man’s stength of convictions and courage ~ and ability to seize opportunities that presented themselves. I am convinced that we all have faced crises in our lives, and exhibited acts of courage, whether it be facing Self (in my mind, the ultimate test of courage) and overcoming fears and circumstances. There have been many people in history (some of whom we would now view in a negative light) who have also not allowed external pressures to sway them from their convictions and values.
And opportunities are presented to us at all times ~ we simply need to Recognize them, Acknowledge them and choose to Act on them! It’s as simple as that!