We live in a world where man is becoming increasingly sick of hope, is not able to live and fully enjoy the present. In the era of globalization and unbridled consumerism we inhabitants of the industrialized West we feel satisfied, but disappointed. We have everything, yet there is always something missing, perhaps because too often we want something concrete, not cure us of our spirit and aspire to an inner peace, which is prerequisite to be witnesses of peace with others. It seems essential instead to the hope and the search for peace in first place in our lives, only then will have a meaning.
Last week I had the opportunity to witness the exciting testimony of Angela Terzani Staude the reopening of the autumn cycle of meetings: "Voices of Hope: Women for Peace", by association, "A Time for Peace" . I hit
deep simplicity of mind with which Angela said the experience next to Tiziano Terzani, war correspondent, journalist and writer, retracing the steps of an existential journey, "a life with a man of peace: to live for world peace, to die for inner peace. " The voice of memory runs hot and quiet, only a few moments tinged with emotion, as when he confesses: "My life has been determined by him."
A journey of over forty years with a man a citizen of the world but was proud of his Tuscan heritage, being born in Florence in Via Pisana, in the district of Monticelli. He was the son of laborers and the first time you went in post-Mao China had great disappointments than expected, he believed in the revolution, but especially in the liberation of a power that exploited the proletariat. Titian was really hoping for a better world and was firmly convinced that you must first believe in the great gift of life, "each has its own little way to go and needs to be done the right thing."
After spending thirty years as a war correspondent in Asia, recounting the tragedy of Vietnam, Indonesia dictatorships and genocide in Cambodia ... turn the page and the opportunity that is the disease, as evidenced by Angela, makes him understand 'importance' to acquire and to live a life in harmony with the universe, nature and others, choose to get on the road to be part of a cosmic context. " He who had always been a man of great ambition and was not modest and humble, he had the desire to live differently, he felt the need to challenge "took the bag and returned to India, Asia, countries where people has become accustomed since childhood to accept how the world and knows how to suffer with dignity. "
Titian chose to live in isolation on the slopes of the Himalayas to find himself, "If I became ill should have a meaning, is something that has to do with my story." An atheist was designed to look at all religions to seek answers, and learn techniques to calm the mind, to quiet his mind, the inner anger that often devours the Western man.
A brave choice, but the rest was used to take life with a philosophical attitude, although in the bottom of my heart he was always "to Monticelli," always said that he must not die a victim but as someone who is in ' universe. He felt the need for a more spiritual life, more human in a world where "now we kill for no reason." In recent months, the presentation at the Feltrinelli book "Another round of tournament" a woman said that she had cancer and Titian replied: "Do not ever feel like victims, there are two possibilities: either the victim or do you make the hero. I chose to be a hero. "
After the tragedy of 11 September had become a champion of peace, with a firm stand, telling the war in Afghanistan in the book "Letters against the war."
will spend the rest of his life fighting for non-violence, to speak of peace and respect for others, a message, that legacy is now carried on by his wife Angela, a simple woman, but strong, who can speak with grace and discretion of Tiziano Terzani "man of peace" touching the hearts of those who have the opportunity to listen to it.
