For my weekly writing spot on this site, see the One-Minute Mystic, with a new meditation posted every Monday. Also see The Village, the story of Misty Longings, England's most beautiful village, posted episode by episode earlier this year.       In a recent book review, Bp. Trevor Mwamba says that "Africa can offer the world what it means to be human." It's a big, bold claim and not a self-evident truth. But is it a truth nonetheless? First we must climb over present obstacles. It is none other than Desmond Tutu, who fears South Africa is currently in danger of becoming a "Banana republic". He has criticised the spirit of revenge in the country, which has seen Thabo Mbeki forced from office. Tutu sees no beauty in the struggle for power, which leaves the scandal-laden Jacob Zuma waiting in the wings a man whose favourite anthem is "umshini wami", "Bring me my machine gun." "Our country deserves better," says Tutu, as the Rainbow Nation stumbles. And then there's the Archbishop Peter Akinola a man happy with the limelight, but perhaps an unworthy torch bearer for Africa's rich and ancient spiritual streams. In a land rooted in the truth that we exist in community, and treat each other with this understanding, Akinola has risen to power by the dismemberment of that demonising those with sexuality different from his own. It is a line which sells well to those who need demons, but cripples any sense of glory in his activity. Constant references to his own humility never a good idea allied to eager listings of his election successes, suggest at best, an averagely insecure salesman. And echoing Tutu's words, "Africa deserves better." And then there is the Western perception of "needy Africa." How can such a continent teach us anything? All we can do is give generously surely? Richard Dowden, author of Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles, is unhappy at this portrayal, and points the finger at aid agencies. "However well intentioned their motives may have been, aid agencies here helped create the single, distressing image of Africa. They and journalists feed of each other." News outlets want the quick story, the pithy headline but not the explanation or the big picture. It all reminds me of a conversation I had with a South African bishop over twenty years ago, shortly after the murder of Steve Biko. "How do you keep going when it's all bad news?" I asked. "You don't see all the smiles and laughter," he replied. It's something about this happiness that makes Africa the heart of the world; just as Europe is its head, and the East is its sense. The pure energy of these three kingdoms is easily soiled, of course. The African heart is made stupid by misguided passion; the European head, by narrowing rationalism; and Eastern sense, by dry detachment. But the best of each is wonderful. Africa is the greeting, the sacramental oneness of us all; the generous soul of this human adventure. Europe is the question, the individual, the search; the dismantlement of inadequate propositions. And the East? Here is the accurate psyche, emptiness, awareness and inner awakening. What wondrous gifts we mystics are given. Head, heart and sense. It's like holding the African sunrise in the palm of our hands. More writings © Simon Parke