Tagged: politics
Notes on Quotes: Politics
“Everything is politics.” – Thomas Mann
Therefore, “everything” is corrupted by politics. Politics is “the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.” Our society has made different ideologies to govern a country. Those ideologies make divisions between those who are governed and those who govern: Political parties are born. Thus, there is a struggle to control power by subduing or suppressing other parties or ideas.
However; the main issue is not found in the external ideologies, but in the principles and values of those who are in power, human beings. Why? Because that power to obligate others to behave or think in a certain way, that perceived control over others, will create a personality disorder in individuals without values. Whether a visible government is the ultimate authority or a group of hidden individuals, the fact remains the same: Power corrupts an unaware human being.
“Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business.” –Winston Churchill
Those in power will represent a group and will defend that group’s interest, conveniently forgetting the common good. It is a profitable business for them as long as they follow that trend. A powerful country has a greater scope of influence over weaker countries in the world. That “power effect,” trickles down.
“It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.” – Ronald Reagan
Politics then becomes a way to sell yourself for profit, simple prostitution.
“It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen.” – George MacDonald
That becomes the paradox of politics: The best men do not want to be part of it. Politics as it is today is a dirty business, where even the responsibility of being part of human bloodshed could be part of that experience. No individual with higher awareness would consider being part of it.
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. 🙂
The blame game in burning the Amazon forest
It is said that the Amazon forest is the “Lungs of the World” for more than 20% of the world oxygen is produced there.
It is known the importance to preserve the Amazon forest, to help with Global warming issues. Nevertheless, human greed and negligence are again the cause of problems for the living entities in the world and for our “future generations”.
Why are humans burning the amazon? To clear out land for cattle and sell the meat for profit. To use lumber for profit. The world knows that. There is an interesting article by CNN explaining this.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/23/americas/brazil-beef-amazon-rainforest-fire-intl/index.html
The blame game started. Who is the culprit? Ahh! The Brazilian president for allowing that burning.
Let us look deeper. Isn’t economics the most important thing in our society? Isn’t the game of economics about “supply and demand”? It is said that Brazil was the largest exporter of meat last year (2018) in the world. There is a demand thus, Brazil supplies.
“But the Brazilian president should have fought against local farmers, meat producing corporations and international meat traders and think about how not to endanger our world!”
That is a high expectation for just a politician, who is not “trained” to look out for the common good and who believes to be acting for “Brazilian interest”. For him this is “an internal problem” not a World issue, for things are happening in Brazil. For him, it is no one else business. If there is demand, there will be supply and economic growth in Brazil… Isn’t that what we learn in business?
Ahh! Those countries importing Brazilian meat are the underlying problem. Hong Kong and China are by far, the ones who import the most from Brazil! They should stop importing Brazilian meat to save the forests!
However, “China’s average consumption per person is still well below the world average (and six times smaller than the US) and its growth rate is slowing,” (https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/11/health/the-beef-with-beef/index.html )
Some will even say that the “problem” is that “we eat too much meat”, as the CNN article explicitly implies.
What is too much meat for a person? Who is there to stop someone from buying when there is supply?
Look deeper.
Demand means people. More people conditioned for generations through an old carnivorous tradition. No one looks at the number of humans in the planet.
We are too many. We increase our human population and diminish natural resources to support the whims and fancies of the “market.” It is a vicious cycle ultimately damaging our own living conditions. It is the dog chasing its own tail, but this is a crazy dog: It caught it and is angrily chewing it, and being numb to this.
It is very unlikely that humans will stop reproducing themselves in a considerable way to “save the planet.” Most want children to unwillingly offer them a depleted, competitive madhouse for their future.
It is very unlikely that humans will stop eating meat in a considerable way to “save the planet,” even though this may be the single best action to “help.” As a matter of fact for the majority, “saving the planet” is not a concrete thing. It is not something that they could see right now. It is not like seeing 100 US dollars in your pocket after selling a widget, even if that harms the planet.
For most, “help” is to write a check to some entity which supposedly will “fight” to save the rain forest. That is the conditioning. This will make most feel good about themselves. The comfort zone is a tremendous obstacle to overcome by the majority. Easier to write a check than to stop eating meat.
We are all one, even if we don’t see it.
There are no “real” lines delimiting countries. We are all humans. This world is not just for humans. We forget that.
In Life there is a continuous tendency to reach balance. Life knows that. We don’t.
If humans destroy the planet, there will be a consequence for humans. It comes to mind: “Forgive them for they do not know what they do”. But forgiveness is human. In Life, there is cause and effect.
In Human history, there have been wars, diseases, famine, natural disasters etc. Hardship for humans at particular key times in history, which diminish human population.
That is the balancing act of Life just to preserve itself. Humans themselves play a role in that balancing act, unknowingly due to their deep unconsciousness.
Yet some want to “pray to God” to avoid this from happening? How naive we could be!
So where is the “Spiritual” part of this writing?
While in this madness act to support Life; the common good, however you perceive it.
Trust in Life, for many cannot perceive that we ARE this planet. They are in a deep sleep.
Keep in mind that while politicians debate, and most get angry and do superfluous activities just to feel good about themselves; Life has its own way to deal with this.
Do not be surprised. It is not a human way.
But, it is human to feel compassion for ourselves. This is a good time for this.
The separatist political mind
Because most of humanity has a mind concerned with separation, division as a perception of Life, then unhappiness will be the outcome of such mind.
Observe your own mind. There is “I” and there is “you.” Also all personal pronouns are part of the division. We know to be bound by language syntax, but we believe deep inside that “innocent” division to be true. That carries an existential problem beyond language. Observe how the main tool that we use to figure out “Life,” is based on “analysis.”
Analysis is a tool for further division. We want to know something which is whole by dividing it in parts. However, parts do not make up what is meant to be whole. The “whole is equal to the sum of its parts” we say, it is a nice theory in society, but doesn’t quite work out in “real” Life. Can we take apart a human being in its numerous parts, and make it “work” as a live human as it was before the division?
Our vision of the world is meant to analyze things. Observe politics. It deals with government, administration of people in a society. Politics relies heavily in all sorts of analysis. We don’t take people as “people”, we divide people. We create groups and out of that we create struggle between groups. We forget the common good; but become biased and select what is most convenient for a particular group. That is “Democracy.” Not the nice theory of what is supposed to be; but the “real,” practical aspect ongoing around the world.
There will not be a self realized individual dealing with politics. Not because “politics is dirty business” but because politics is a fictitious, one sided way of looking at Life. That political vision is incapable of putting things together in synthesis.
Politics is about conflict among groups and power struggle of certain groups. That is the outcome of a mind which has been trained to divide.
How is it possible to find “solutions” for problems created in our society which such mind?
It is not possible. “Problems cannot be solved with the same mind set that created them.”
That is a quote from A. Einstein. “Division” is a mind set.
Where is the root problem in need of a “solution”?
The human mind.
Happiness is not a creation of the mind. What our society considers as happiness is truly infantile, nevertheless; we cannot find a happy person there, but rather a sedated one. Someone who lives in the comfort zone of his mind’s achievements which, are only another reflection of a mind trained to divide, to fight, to conquer, to compete, to become “someone” in Life, as the utmost value.
Most know that happiness is not brought by material things. Nevertheless, we strive to obtain those at all cost. Happiness is not in circumstances, settings, relationships. It is not bound by what is “out there”.
Happiness is inner fulfillment. It is an inseparable sensation when we breathe, which makes us alive and vital. That cannot be found in the mind. That is why, there is “no-mind.”
But, what our educational system knows about it? Not much. In fact, what we are so eager to learn in our educational system is all about living in the ego mind. Most individuals are only concerned with their own achievements, the well being of their own group and the continuous struggle to maintain an ideal status quo during their life times, which they fight to provide to their own kind, their succesors. Conditioning is very strong and will continue on from generations.
Therefore, a sensitive, intelligent person will look into this. His personal journey will deal with recognizing and knowing his own mind. There lies the conditioning. There lies the madness.
This route doesn’t take the traveler into “name and fame.” There are no medals or prize money at the end of the journey.
There is only this sense of fulfillment, which indicates that we found our place in Life. This “achievement” happens without being “someone”, without doing something “special”, without fighting and trying to “conquer” our self created demons.
The “normal” conditioned mind, will be unable to understand that unless, the actual “mind set” is left behind.
Changing the mental programming
In Life, duality is always present. Not as opposites of each other, but as necessary complements. When we view Life through concepts, we see 2 different energies: We see Life and Death as different, opposites. That is the vision taught through centuries of conditioning. That is how we view politics, society and religions. It is only A or B. Choose one. Fight against the other to preserve your “choice.” The way we are taught in society to perceive Life is through that. Observe it.
When we begin to understand duality from another perspective, we perceive only ONE energy which changes, alters by diminishing its original quality. What is night but the continuous absence of light? What is cowardice but the continuous absence of bravery? And bravery? The continuous absence of cowardice.
Words cannot fully explain duality, but through our own observation of Nature, we will understand. Nature, Life has always been the teacher.
Death goes hand in hand with Life. In Nature what we label as “killing” is also to preserve, to live.
What makes the difference with the killing going on among human beings?
Intention.
Only each of us knows our intention behind an action.
Humans strive to live harmoniously with Nature, but they cannot for their intentions are driven by “reasons,” the conditioned mind, labeled as “choice.” A true intention is the manifestation of who we ARE not what we THINK. There is a huge difference.
Animals free in the “wild,” act without “reason,” without a conditioned mind. We could label that way “instinctual” or “predestined” or even a “gutsy feeling” or use any other label.
The point is that wild animals live harmoniously in Nature.
In Nature, killing is out of necessity to eat in order to survive. For humans, killing have different “reasons” created by an egotistical mind. It is the sick mind, over-trained mind, creating “problems” that we hope to resolve by using that same kind of mind. That is insanity.
Life is like a mirror reflecting who we ARE, but also a boomerang sending back that which we have generated.
Why?
We are individuals but at the same time a Totality. To act in the world is to DO that to ourselves. The hand feeding the tummy is also feeding itself; for without a body there cannot be a living hand.
Hand, tummy, liver, heart, lungs are all individual organs, but nothing without the Totality of the body.
Animals sense that, most humans do not.
From the above “justice” is already in Life.
Individuals conditioned by the teachings in society believe that the above is only a “spiritual holistic view,” some utopia which is unable to “solve” the real problems in society.
How is it possible for the World to be filled with Justice already, if there is killing and wrong doing everywhere? It is white against black, woman against man, country against country, religion against religion, Humans against Nature… We need to organize and DO something!
That is how revolutionary sociopolitical IDEAS are born under many labels. Each one with a different dream of what “justice” means, driven by the same conditioned mind.
Those idealists believe that “teaching” can change everything. But if the teacher is born out of the same mental conditioning of society, how is he going to teach others? Undoubtedly, he will pass on the same conditioning.
When the mind unlearns that which it has been taught to learn.
When the heart opens up because it is no longer afraid to maintain the false security of having things, or the need of being somebody and doing great things to be remembered…
Out of that mental “programming,” there is a new Life.
Believe in everything to believe in Nothing.
Anything that enters our mind as “knowledge” or “truth” to live Life, is only a belief.
There is no way to frame Life with a little belief system, whatever it is.
When we live in the mind, the above is not “true.”
We need belief systems from how to raise a kid to political, economic and social/religious belief systems. All of those beliefs will give us certainty that we are DOING the “RIGHT THING.”
However, that is only a belief. A system is created to frame our Life, to delimit it. That is all there is. Ahnanda is not saying that this is “bad” and we need to CHANGE it or CONTROL it or REBEL against it.
Those are childish beliefs meant to increase our ego mind through a fake purpose. Change it to what? Control it to what? Rebel against it for what?
For something that “I” consider to be “good.” My belief.
Ahnanda is just pointing out, that most human beings have their life framed by belief systems. It is that AWARENESS alone, the one that will allow us to enjoy the game offered by a system.
It is no longer a serious thing. Something to be preoccupied with.
Have you considered why a self-realized being is not interested in becoming a world leader or the president or CEO or any big title that we could imagine from our society?
Those only could frame his experience. He is confined by a role made up by a system. A self-realized being cannot be defined as belonging to a party, a religion, a nation, a particular belief system. All of those are made up by followers.
Of course, Ahnanda is “lying” by verbalizing something which comes intuitively, without any thought on the matter. The above “why” is not the “real” why, for there is none. It just IS.
A “Why” in Life is a meaningless question.
There are no “why’s.”
Why is the sky blue?
What is the sky? Is it the clouds? is it the space above the atmosphere? Is it the cosmos?
And for God’s sake, what is “blue”?
The sky IS.
Of course, in our society; “Why” is a synonym of intelligence, of someone who is looking to “know” the facts, to be well informed; for information is “power.”
Do we see the contrast?
Thus, “Why” is meaningless… but it is not.
In Life things ARE AND they AREN’T.
In our society, things ARE OR they AREN’T.
How do we compromise that madness?
Believe in everything. Dogs can fly, aliens are among us, etc. It is not a matter of having the “truth” or not. That doesn’t matter at all.
It is a matter of opening up to all possibilities. Thus, also believe in dogs not being able to fly and that aliens do not exist.
See the “exercise”? 🙂
Now let me push the issue: What about God? 🙂
You follow me?
Believing in EVERYTHING means to believe in NOTHING.
The minute we believe in something and not in its opposite, we define ourselves. We are stuck in our own struggle. For in Life an opposite is a complement just like day and night…. But for our society of dualities, Day is “good” and Night is “bad.” Not realizing that one calls for the other, that is why in Life there is no need to “control” to “oppose” or to “change,” for everything comes at its own time.
When we are engrossed in the mind-supporting teachings of our society, we cannot understand the above.
Why do you live?
To earn money.
For what? So I can live better.
What is better?
To have things… and for that we need money…
“Better” is to “have things.” That conditioning is only possible in our society… not in Life.
Exploring the Depth of Living 