by Kathy Ward

When Harry Potter was introduced the world a literature phenomenon was born. Millions of readers have followed the Hogwarts School of Wizardy heritage where he discovers his heritage, encounters new plants and animals, and perfects his magical abilities. The Magic of the books of Harry Potter is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of science in the west, including alchemy, astrology, medicine and natural philosophy. The seven books of Harry Potter explore important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice and responsibility that comes with "power."

In book seven Harry Potter is reminded by friends and mentors that his compassionate and unselfish use of magic sets the two apart; although he struggles with fear of becoming an evil wizard like Lord Voldemort, the most "powerful" Dark wizard who has ever lived... who is very jealous of the reputation and essence of Harry Potter. He aims to conquer not just the Qizarding world, but the non-magical world as well. A paradox is that Voldemort hated non-pure blood wizards, in spite of being half-blood himself. Voldemort is incredibly power hungry and he believes he is superior to everyone and everything.

Voldemort attempts to posses Harry Potter but finds that he cannot; Harry is too full of that which Voldemort finds detestable: LOVE.

There are many kinds of "power", but the most powerful force of all is LOVE. The challenge is to practice it. To show it. The good and noble essence of our pure soul expressed in actions, words, feelings and choices. Can you imagine a government, corporation, religion, family, health care community or human relations based on LOVE where we choose no to make any space for corruption or injustices? Yes, all human beings are created free and it is our choice to self-destroy or to become beings of LOVE.

Albert Einstein wrote a letter to president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 in which he says; "The US has only very poor ores of uranium in moderate quantities. There is some good ore in Canada and the most important source of uranium is in Belgium, Niger and Congo."

After the United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, decimating cities and killing hundreds of thousands of people (mostly civilians), Einstein became an advocate for nuclear disarmament. He argued against the use of force.

"Large parts of the world are faced with starvation, while others are living in abundance. The Nations were promised liberation and justice, but we have witnessed and are witnessing, even now, the sad spectacle of liberating armies firing into populations who want their independence and social equality, and supporting in those countries by force of arms, such parties and personalities as appear to be most suited to serve vested interests. Territorial questions and arguments of power, obsolete though they are, still prevail over the essential demands of common welfare and justice. (December 10, 1945)."

Wars strike civilian life with devastating results. Even in peacetime, if countries spend most of their resources on military concerns, there is less to spend on health programs that could improve the quality of life and prevent illness. Physicians and campaigners have used evidence gathered by medical personnel and the testimony of witnesses to highlight the terrible toll of warfare. This work has led to treaties banning the use of land mines and agreements against nuclear weapons testing.

Cortesy of Physicians for Human Rights.

The Governor of the State of Iowa has signed a proclamation "Land mines Awareness Day", to raise awareness about the more than 70 countries contaminated with land mines.

In Pennsylvania more than 130 faith leaders sent a letter to Senator Arlen Specter, urging to co-sponsor a legislation banning cluster bombs that pose a high risk to civilians.

A global treaty process to ban cluster munitions is expected to conclude during meetings in Dublin, Ireland in 2008. The United States has refused to join these discussions.

In addition to pushing for U.S. participation in global negotiations, USCBL is urging every member of Congress to cosponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian. Protection Act (S.594/H.R.1755), which would prohibit the use of cluster munitions in civilian-populated areas.

The International Conference on Primary Health Care, meeting in Alma-Ata this twelfth day of September in the year Nineteen hundred and seventy-eight, expressing the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all the people of the world, hereby makes the following Declaration:

Click here to read it all: Declaration of Alma - Ata (PDF)

The Conference strongly reaffirms that health, which is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, is a fundamental human right.

The people have a right and duty to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their health care.

Serving the Community... To provide health care in rural areas, in 1965 the Chinese government began training thousands of young people to treat common ailments. The medical workers, known as barefoot doctors, spent half of the working day providing health care and the rest of the time farming as they had done before. By the 1970s, over one million people had been trained. Although private medicine has since replaced the barefoot doctors, the low cost and wide distribution of health care they made possible has never been matched.

Below a herb grower teaches barefoot doctors about medicinal plants, China 1977.

When we face adversity in our lives we can focus our thoughts and energy into developing spiritual values. This is a good way to multiply love in our lives. Finding balance, giving, being of service, in harmony and total alignment with love, inside and outside of us. This can be practiced and attained. Then the consequential work in progress will open doors and many possibilities for common good. That's a good use of the most powerful force of all. It builds healing communities. It heals hearts. It multiplies resources. It sees beyond obstacles. It does not look for a kind of power that is dishonest, selfish and ego-centered.

Decide to be a being of love to reach our destination. Decide to invest your skills and resources into the happiness of others. Decide to nurture your internal power. Decide to LOVE.