Worthy of Dependence

Man instinctively needs some point on which to focus his emotions. This feeling is present in every human being; no one can take it away from him. If one makes God the focal point of one’s emotions, one will never despair or become dispirited, for God is eternal. If, on the other hand, one concentrates one’s feelings on something else besides God, one will not be able to avoid despair and depression. All things besides God will perish. Sooner or later, they will desert man. Those who concentrate their feelings on God are grasping a firm handle that will never break. But those who attach themselves to other things besides God, are grasping a handle which one day will slip from their hands, for everything other than God is mortal. When this happens one will be left in the state of sorrow and remorse that we witness in Mr. Begin’s case. □ CHOGM Commonwealth heads of government from 44 countries (CHOGM) met in New Delhi from 23 to 29 November, 1983. The CHOGM members, who between them control the destinies of one fourth of the world’s population, addressed an appeal to the two superpowers to resume a genuine political dialogue, a commentator, referring to the long communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting, observes: “It would be quoted off and on in the international community whenever there are moves for peace, disarmament and reduction of tension.” This communiqué cost 50 crore rupees (5 billion) to prepare; but it will surely remain ineffective like so many of its predecessors. The reason is very simple. It makes an appeal to other governments to practice something which its progenitors preach but do not themselves practice. Nowadays it all too often happens that countries who protest against injustice in other countries are themselves guilty of injustice in their own spheres of influence. Advice given by such countries does not ring true, and does little good either to the preachers or those for whom these homilies are meant.