And it so happens that, except catastrophes or major celebrations –at extremes- the identity of the species is only revealed on those occasions.

And there is a leap in consciousness and behaviour… to safeguard development, identity and life. Be it in the major celebration or a major disaster.

But when these two extremes disappear, the being reveals itself as the great enemy of the being. It develops into corpuscle or –increasingly- into “individuals”.

And it sees, perceives, under this development, that its main adversary is another human being. An adversary in economic, political, social, religious, emotional and circumstantial terms…

Unlike other living species, in which the identity of the group is preserved… –and yes, there are individualities, but they coexist within the group- humanity has, instead developed preferentially –and this is the state we find ourselves in- the individual as the priority over of the group, over groups.

And every human being projects themselves through the dominion, control, management, influence they can exert over other human beings.

This gives rise to the famous saying that “man is a wolf to man”.

Fifty-six declared wars, 2.3 billion people facing food insecurity, unfathomable gender gaps, environmental degradation… an endless array of dystopias that benefit neither the human community nor any other living community.

And although it accounts for barely 0.2 per cent, or less, of the planet’s biomass, it is influential enough to bring about –as is currently the case- the greatest biological devastation in the seas, on land and across all living kingdoms.

But, above all, it is about competition-competitiveness within its own lineage, its own species. And even more: the competition with itself.

At some point, it begins to be its own worst enemy: because of its food, its thoughts, its actions, its aetiology, its typology, its philosophy, its beliefs… It is as if there were a rejection of its own very nature, which then becomes more specific in certain aspects, giving rise to another saying: “there is no worse enemy than oneself”; to the point of reaching autolysis –a mechanism that is increasing in scope… in a way. shall we say, deeply concerning-.

We do not know why humanity is currently following this trend.

When we look at the inner workings of its structure, such as the genome, for example, we discover that the similarity… –well, more than just a similarity- between one person’s genome and another’s is practically identical.

There are small differences, but those small differences can become abyssal differences, capable of leading to genocide, persecution and every unimaginable atrocity.

These atrocities are all well documented and not open to debates about whether or not they happened. No.

And it is not the same to be a Serb than a Bosnian Serb or a Croat. No. Depending on where you are, you will be persecuted, tortured and eliminated –for example: that Balkan war, that is so recent and so close in time, not to mention others that might be open to debate-.

And of course, one might ask… and it’s legitimate to do so: “If their genomes are so, so, so similar, how is it that they get on so, so, so badly?”.

There must be other instances –right?-, such as the new theories suggesting that the genome is merely an instrument, a tool; that is the cell itself that decides. And our entire current understanding has confused the tool with the one who handles the tool.

We don’t know.

However, without wishing to suggest which is the best option, it is nevertheless true that being has a capacity for goodness towards itself, towards those devoted to it, and towards its own interests… But it is a restrictive goodness, certainly. Yet it is there.

On the other hand, everything seems to indicate –when examining the tools of our constitution- that there is no genetic structure that justifies, through combinations of genes, a person being violent, arrogant, dashing, hedonistic… “Leader”.

At least, none is known.

But the truth is that, socially speaking, humanity moves towards preparing the individual to be a leader, to be strong, to be competent, to be a winner, to succeed, to be secure…

As if they were born into a war.

And depending on how you look at it, that is true –depending on how you look at it-. And one could almost say that, generation after generation, a web of latent war has been woven, in which each new individual is educated, cultured and guided to defend themselves, to be competent, to be a winner, to be productive.

So, the idea we proposed of defining the planet as “the war planet” and its human inhabitants as “warriors”, is not far off. It is simply based on evidence. Without labelling it as good or bad. That is precisely where the problems begin.

Do you see? Of all the wars that exist, a new one is brewing; and if you look at it closely, it is violent, very violent.

We are all migrants.

Voilà! Some are more “migrants” than others, it depends.

In Africa, a fratricidal war is raging in various countries against those seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, “because they’re migrants”.

In Europe, well, what are we going to say? The cradle of colonialism, neo-colonialism… The declaration of war against anyone who isn’t from here is absolute. Although there are small signs of care. Small ones! But they are there.

That war –this “new” war- which has not been declared as such, is already… directed simply at where I was born, where I come from, what my language is, what my faith is.

That “new” –in inverted commas- war… leads –one doesn’t need to be particularly clairvoyant to see it- leads to the holocaust of the very one who declares the war.

The Praying Call reminds us once again that we are “beings in need”. That we require an interdependence with our environment and with our own species… not merely to survive, to survival, but to give new meaning to our presence.

And may that new meaning enable us to dissolve duality; to seek and embrace oneness; to give no free rein to power, which entails violence and corruption; and to believe in ourselves as beings of solidarity, of respectful coexistence, of joyful communion… which, once we become aware of it, is capable, in communion, of bringing forth any possibility.

The Prayerful Call urges us to echo individual responses that come together with others like them in the quest for our true nature, which is not one of combat and destruction… even if this is justified, rationalised, explained.

It can equally be explained and rationalised how to avoid reaching that position.

The current structures in place that “manage” the tendencies of the species are not in favour of solidarity-based evolution. They are generators of leaders, competencies, of winners, and of the aftermath of losers and slaves.

And they promote the development of the individual as an exceptional, unique, privileged being, above all others.

We must embrace these events under the Prayerful Sense. And it is not about fighting against them. They are part of our nature. It is about developing other tendencies: those tendencies towards communion, sharing, serving, making use according to available resources, sharing according to needs, being available to the call we receive.

We have the capabilities to develop in these directions. However, the moment we present them as a confrontation to what currently predominates, we will have started a new war. And we will have lost it, of course.

In a battle, there is always a loser. And whilst the victor celebrates, the loser harbours resentment, hatred and a desire for revenge. Soon there will be another new conflict.

“Willing and available” is what the Prayerful Call suggests to us, so that we may place our trust in the courage of solidarity, of being available servant, in response to the needs of the healing instinct within our capabilities.

It may seem like an impossible mission. And it may seem as though we must do it alone, in a ghetto, which, ultimately, will be a special, distinct and curious ghetto, because it will not be the majority –at least not to begin with-.

It would be a mistake to isolate ourselves. And to this end, the person who is available, a servant, supportive and community-minded must exercise their artistic abilities. This is what the Praying Call demand of us. Yes. That art which allows us not to divide ourselves into factions or splinter groups; to be present in what is happening, in the flow of events.

It is not a question of regressing to other eras; that would be a most serious mistake, because our senses are no longer, nor will they ever be prepared for a step backwards, but are always designed for moving forward.

Immersed in the unfolding of events, we set out to act with Kindness, Compassion, Mercy, even if we are singled out, even if we are criticised.

Of course, it is not an easy journey, certainly not. It is not secure, it is not profitable, it will not make one rich, it will not dominate, it will not control… But the subtle strategy of art will ensure that it remains, that we remain. And it is enough to justify this simply by realising… without knowing what life and its biodiversity are, would it be too far-fetched to say that it is a great work of art? With no desire to seek out artists or the artist, no. The petals of an orchid have more than enough capacity to enamour our beauty.

So, this so-called “art” is simply the impression created within us by contemplating where we are, by becoming aware of the magic of what is unfolding, from the moment we breathe in, chew, sleep or speak. Yes. We can explain it. But there is a breath that makes all of this possible. Magic. Artistic.

Undoubtedly, these coordinates presented to us by the Praying Call seem unprofitable, uncertain, weak.

Yes. But when our kindnesses, our dispositions, our acts of service become art, they are seen as magic. We fall in love with living. And there is no room for what is hard or profitable.

When love becomes prominent, there is no reason, explanation, profit or benefit tempting enough to negate it. And love itself needs no confrontation.

It makes its way through its mysterious nature.

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