Five centuries ago, Nostradamus predicted the Third World War, at this time, with its epicentre in the Middle East. It is not (yet) comparable to the first two, but it has been farther away; the world we live in is certainly not made of peace. And not only because of the rule of arms: Ukraine, Iran, Palestine, Venezuela, Afghanistan… next Cuba, Greenland… if China falls into this abyss, there will be no brake left.
And there is much more: economic and technological war – evident; conflict between the global South and the Atlantic North – unrestrained; exacerbated ideologies – everywhere; inflamed nationalisms; slaughtered values; divided peoples, brothers shouting at one another… and the struggle for resources — without quarter: energy, rare earths, water…
In the Hindu trilogy (Trimurti – “three forms” in Sanskrit) there are three fundamental cosmic forces: Brahma, the supreme creator, seduces Vishnu, who worships and protects him – for eternity. A pure illusion; whether for good or ill, the cycle always comes to an end.
To kill Vishnu, who preserves and protects all things, comes the wrath of Shiva, who destroys everything, utterly and violently, without compromise or moderation – everything gets smashed. At bottom, Brahma is part of creation itself; because it is from the ashes of chaos that Brahma is reborn – and recreates. The world we have today is Shiva’s world.
Those who no longer want anything — and they are more and more numerous — feel the force of destiny approaching and are ready to kill; they do not want to negotiate, they have nothing to protect. The rest can be dealt with later
“We are at war,” a friend tells me, furious with the world we have. Everything must be destroyed, whatever the evidence – and whatever the consequences. He is talking about politics, about Portugal; about ending the system at any cost. Anything goes; he wants no compromises. Listening to him reminded me of Shiva… they will not stop. They feel the force of some universe they can neither explain nor foresee.
The problem with this analogy is precisely dogma; the fertiliser of lives driven by wrath. The agents of the collapsing world are in denial, unwilling to yield anything. They think the regime is eternal, that the system works; they even think the United Nations can uphold multilateralism and fundamental rights.
They wear the cape of the hero who protects what cannot be changed; they vilify the enemy’s garb, venal and unacceptable. Those who no longer want anything – and they are more and more numerous – feel the force of destiny approaching and are ready to kill; they do not want to negotiate, they have nothing to protect. The rest can be dealt with later.
What is missing here is balance, science and conscience; even humanity is missing: it is not for us to play at being gods. What has become of the middle path? It is lost in dogmas and messianisms, the foundation of a radicalism they claim not to understand. The future does not lie in the arrogance – and blindness – of Shiva’s followers, but neither can it be built out of the chaos that legitimises illusion.
There is no need to break people apart; what is needed is to inspire them. The future is always right; by its nature, one day it arrives. But those who think anything goes and everything will be better lose their reason – it could be far worse. Besides, as the snake that sheds its skin knows, first there is bleeding and pain; and death may indeed come.
The price cannot be whatever it happens to be; it must be measured, negotiated… and inclusive. What matters most, in truth, is that we all get there; and that we all arrive whole. That too may be another dogma, I concede; but this one is rational. It saves us all – the others do not.
