Full Metal Jacket

For some inexplicable reason, the following chant from a private in the movie keeps repeating in my head. I clearly remember how haunting that was to watch the whole movie back at one late summer night. I had a hard time going to bed after that. War is really a terrifying experience. It should be prevented at all cost.

"This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of my enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen."

Shouldn't people experience the dark side to really appreciate the bright side? Not really yet not sure. For now, let me follow the mantra - just be and fully be with whatever that is happening at the present moment.

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Rumi's poems quoted in Wikipedia

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Mind activities of a Stone boy

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