In Iraq

It is remembered that lightning can cover the land like a cloth.

In its democracy of 5000 years ago, power rested in a general assembly of all the voters. In their cities of the time in the southern reaches of the Fertile Crescent Mesopotamian art and literature were well developed.

There, listening and hearing was the mark of intelligence. Political discussion was called 'asking one another.' To have ones ears wide open was to hear the wisdom of God.

People knew that existence was movement and configuration, activity and godly dance.

Purity was valued.

People there understood that man could be godly enough to enter into the identity of the great cosmic forces of the universe, and sway them by action. Men, then knew that their entering and action was best done with cooperation, respect, reverence, humility, and their greatest wisdom.

Law was respected and justice valued.

Perhaps 2000 years later Greeks began to learn some of the same things.

About 1500 years after the Greeks we began to know some of those things.