Tagged: environment
Politics is violence
“Ideologies can never be wise; ideologies are always idiotic.”
J. Krishnamurti – Public Talk 1 in Santa Monica, California, 16 March 1974
Any social movement or group believing in how society “should work” has an ideology which separates it from another group. Groups make up parties which have their particular “isms” which bring separation. In theory, there should be consensus, but practically there isn’t.
Therefore, politics is not concerned with the common good, but rather; the interests of particular group or groups.
What is the common good? It is inclusive. As our openness of perception expands; we will observe that the existence of countries is a way of separation, for each one has their own ideology, traditions, religions and plethora of other ancient mental images to protect. If 2 countries are professing the same ideology, then a distinctive flavor of it will foster separation. Democracy is a “holy” word. In theory it should be the same in every democratic country. However, practically; it means different things in different places. It is implemented in different ways as to finally dwindle into something unrecognizable, but yet the word “democracy” is used for it brings the stigma of “righteousness.”
Human political activities have damaged the world we all live in. Those activities are fueled by economical gain even though other beings (animals, plants, etc. ) are typically annihilated, even when knowing that the survival of all depends on being inclusive of all.
This inclusiveness is not some theory, some definition which could be easily made into another ideology. This inclusiveness has the root of empathy which solely depends upon the individual.
If John picks up a piece of paper from the ground and throws it into a garbage can without further incentive, but the motivation to help the common environment, then that is for the common good. If John does it because there is a tax incentive, then the activity may be for the common good, but it lacks empathy. Without empathy we are just another machine. A robot. Without incentives or economical gain, John will not observe around and help.
Every action is political, isn’t it?
Not necessarily. The element of empathy for the common good is what makes the difference. Whoever acts without political incentives with the intention of being true to himself, is acting without political agendas. That sort of action is not thought out. It cannot be defined. It happens in the “now” as Life happens.
But that is a dream! We cannot implement that to make any real changes in the world!
That is not the concern of empathy. It is not that everyone should do something when it is not in their hearts to do it. But those who feel it, will. That is enough. This is not a “majority win” game.
Politics has done and it continually does so much harm to our environment.
The environment, the world is one, but we keep dividing it, we keep separating it: Countries, races, religions, animal species, etc. We do not see how everything affects the common habitat. We are only concerned in creating more “jobs,” more “profit.” Greater “living standards.” A greater “GDP.” Where will the “jobs” be when there is no place left? Politics will give the illusion of a solution now. But we pay for it later. That has been the political agenda.
Politics in itself is a tool. However, it is used by egocentric, greedy individuals in a violent way. The outcome preserves inequality of wealth distribution and resources in our world.
What to DO?
BEING empathy. BEING compassionate. BEING concerned with the common good.
That “solution” could be implemented ASAP. It depends on each one of us.
Unavoidably, any political law made to fix a “problem” will create additional “problems.” It will affect some groups over others.
… But that will not “save the planet.”
No. But when it is time to go due to our global negligence; some will go rich and greedy, desperate to live and buy more time when there is none. Others, will go in a peaceful manner due to their compassion.
“You see, in their last moments people show you who they really are.” The Joker (From the movie “Batman the Dark Night.”)
Interesting how we need to wait until the end of the journey to find out. Life has a sense of humor. 🙂
Attitude and Gratitude
Many times some of us may wake up full of zest and ready for the day! However, as the day go by, that energy of joy will little by little go away… As a matter of fact, it is such a “normal” experience that we may not realize that this change may not be in us, but it is the environment affecting the way we feel in the day.
When that happens it is as if someone is driving a car to a destination, but in the way; the car starts veering to the left side little by little, and then to the right.
Those changes are our moods. If the car is unchecked, if the person driving the car is unaware, unconscious; then it is as if the car is driving itself.
An extreme case of this situation is known as bi-polar disorder.
In spirituality, the medicine for mood changing is called our attitude.
That attitude is like driving the car to a destination.
Rich is normally a joyful person. That joy becomes his trademark, that is his attitude. Things will happen. The environment around him could be totally charged with negativity, and he could pick that up as he is part of that environment, nevertheless; that attitude of joy, will take Rich through the day.
When a person is unaware of the energies coming from the environment, the above explanation will be about using “will power” to feel joyful throughout the day; that is this joy will be a “fight” to accomplish.
When a person becomes aware, conscious of the energies changing his own mood little by little; there is no “fight” going on, you just “switch” back to your previous self.
That is the importance of being aware.
If our minds are full of stuff, there is a likelihood that we will not pick up the “signals” right away, but when it is “too late,” that is when our thoughts have changed totally in a way that we believe to be “miserable.” 🙂
However, in all reality that energy of misery is something completely external. Not ours.
Attitude then becomes the source of strength to center ourselves, so the car goes to its destination. Attitude is a daily meal of awareness.
Our attitude will allow us to “survive” in whatever environment we could be.
But, what will allow us to fly like a spotted sandpiper over the Ocean of thoughts, and grow our energetic power to influence our environment?
Gratitude towards life.
Please, explore gratitude to life. This is not to say “Thank you.” This is a deep feeling where we are grateful to be alive and to experience life as it is.
In this feeling, we are not looking for changes, but it is acceptance of what is. It is the feeling of driving a car for the first time. We are grateful and excited to drive a car, that is ANY car… 🙂
Life will bring changes every day for those who are aware, that is a “different car to drive.”
Gratitude for that is very important.
But, to be able to drive to our destination, we may need to be aware of our attitude.
Gratitude and attitude are “keywords” that we cannot learn in the dictionary by giving a definition, but we learn in life through living life when we are conscious, awake, aware.
Spiritual Efforts: Concentrate to protect the mind
One of the biggest “test” at this time is our production of negative thoughts. What is known as “Waste thoughts.”
Let us be clear that many times it has nothing to do with our own state of being. We could be “enjoying the confluence age” and singing songs in happiness, when all of the sudden; our moods will start changing. A little thought filtered about something which upsets us. That little thought will become alive as soon as we “add” more stuff to it. All of the sudden, our “easy yogi” state has changed into a “grouchy smurf.” 🙂
It is the atmosphere. Many things could be happening there. If we are not aware of that, those vibrations have the power to change us, because we will be just like the environment surrounding us by osmosis.
Awareness of this environment will allow us to concentrate our minds in a single thought or in sending vibrations of pure feelings and good wishes. This is not just a matter of “practicing.” It has to come naturally, ideally from the core of your heart. Gyan allows us to see that we cannot fight with “negativity” in the environment. We must transform what it is out there and send it back transformed.
When we do this , we do not negate anything coming in our way, we do not hold that either with us. We recycle it. Everything is a cycle. We cannot hold onto any actor or anything in that cycle. If we do, we will suffer when the time to leave for that energy or person has arrived. We can only observe and as actors, “act” by transforming negativity into positivity. Darkness into light.
This is the meaning of being a worker of “light.”
Concentration in our breathing, feelings and checking on our thoughts at the same time, will give us the awareness to know when something has changed. Without this “weapon” of concentration or of “monitoring” the self, anything from the outside will affect us. We will “take” even without being conscious of it.
To transform the atmosphere is one of the tasks to protect the self and to understand that we are related with everything, not only people; but the environment as well.
Concentrate to protect. Protect to transform.
Exploring the Depth of Living 