It’s Time for Convergence

I often champion the editorial responsibility of The Times for its fairness and sense of responsible reporting. This morning I was very surprised and disappointed as I read the upbeat headline that belied Jonathan Weisman’s open cynicism regarding the harmonic convergence (“New Age Believers Greet a New Day,” Aug. 17).

I knew very little about the logistics of the “convergence.” What I did know is that it was an opportunity for anyone who so desired to turn his/her thoughts to appreciating other people and to take responsibility for what happens in his life. There is nothing mystical here. What the psychologist and the layman are coming to understand is that all world events are determined by the thoughts of the people who enact them, populations as well as leaders.

I know many, many people who participated in this worldwide event, and the off-the-wall people Weisman encountered are an odd minority. I met with 30 of my friends and loved ones yesterday in my backyard for a day of readings, meditation, food, balloons and festivity, and, most of all, communication and love. Anyone who could have looked in on us would have found this to be a very sane and attractive experience.

It’s really so simple: We all have a choice. We can be cynical and sit around and find fault and then wonder why the world is such a mess, or we can finally get the point that no one “out there” is messing up our lives individually or collectively. So when a great many people finally do something so positive, it is disheartening to pick up the morning paper and see the whole experience discounted as an eccentric and meaningless lark.

Those of us who participated in celebrating the harmonic convergence are people just like anyone else who chose to make a difference where all change really takes place, with the people.

HAYNES BUTLER

Los Angeles