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| ~ ∞ ~ On Change and Transformation 3/3 - Awaken the Living Awareness Within ~ ∞ ~ |
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By virtue of the aforementioned with regard to the challenges humanity is facing, we should address one important aspect: despite tremendous advances in so many fields, we still have great suffering in the world, and thus humanity continues to face enormous difficulties and problems. What makes this interesting is that many of these problems are of our own making. Likewise, the suffering we have in the world and experience both individually and collectively, is, if not solely, at least largely, self-inflicted.
You see, if personal suffering stems mainly from craving and ignorance – the same applies to the suffering that afflicts us on a collective scale – craving begets craving, ignorance begets ignorance, and suffering begets suffering, doesn’t it? These together compound to become problems of behavior, which in turn keeps the vicious cycle alive, thereby strengthening and deepening both the problems and the suffering they cause.
So, taking all that into account, one should consider the following: If we are the source of our problems and suffering, we can also be the solution, can’t we? In spite of this obvious remedy, we choose not to see it. In so doing, we fail to recognize not only the source of our problems, but also the root of our suffering. Why is this?
Well, we humans are particularly good at ignoring problems and their causes; we are beings who like to blame others and not take responsibility for our actions; we are subject to emotions without properly using our intuition and intelligence, which is why we are in conflict with ourselves and with others. As a result, this inner conflict manifests in various forms and occurs at different levels. In other words, our inner conditions have a real and tangible impact on the external world – see?
If we look at this from a wider perspective, it becomes evident that all the challenges we face are there for a reason, which goes on to say that whether we like it or not, the honest and somewhat harsh truth – depending on how one chooses to see it, is that the challenges that are put in our path help us grow.
Against this backdrop, we can make the following conclusion: all the challenges we face today are pointing directly to this nexus point of choice – and frankly, there are only two options from which to choose: 1.) involution, 2.) devolution, of which the former means transformation, i.e., a process that follows the completion of evolution in the human form – the process of fulfilling the telos of human existence; and the latter obviously means the descent to a worse state, i.e., evolutionary degeneration – more specifically, spiritual degeneration. It is sad but very true – only at the precipice do we evolve, and only at the very edge do we transform – and even then, only a few do – see?
This brings us to an important point: in light of our growing mastery over so many aspects of the physical world, it’s not unsurprising that many have come to place all their hopes in science, and even to believe that happiness can be achieved by means of what material science can deliver, hoping to find solace in scientific explanations, most of which are based on the unfounded assumptions, models and predictions, claims and promises that very rarely, if ever, come to pass.
It is unfortunate that so many people are totally oblivious and completely unaware of the fact that real freedom and happiness can never come to them from outside of themselves. You see, like a seed – everything we need to live a fulfilled, happy and healthy life of wholeness is already within us.
Blinded by scientism and materialism, some people would like to dismiss the undeniable truth that science alone cannot solve the ultimate mystery of life. This is simply because we ourselves are an intrinsic part of the mystery we are trying to solve. Unless we add ourselves to the equation, we will never solve any of the major problems we are facing, nor will we solve the mysteries of life, either.
It doesn’t take a genius to understand that something is seriously lacking in the way we humans are going about things. What are we lacking then? Plain and simple, in one word – compassion. The essence of compassion is a desire to alleviate the suffering of others and to promote their well-being. This raises the question of what causes the lack of compassion. It should not come as a surprise to anyone – we are giving too much attention to the external material aspects of life while neglecting moral ethics and inner values.
It doesn’t make matters any better when we account for the fact that humans are subject to the forces of others to direct their lives. Indeed, from birth we are told who we are by our society and our culture. As a result, most people have never realized the True Self – our innate Spiritual Nature, the Living Essence beyond name and form, words, ideas and thinking.
This brings about the question: How can anyone be able to express compassion towards others if they lack self-compassion? And this brings us to an important point: they go hand in hand, which leads us to ask ourselves the following question: If we are incapable of loving ourselves and understanding our own value, is it really possible to see the value and worth of others?
From this, we can draw the conclusion that all the major challenges we face in the world calls for an approach based on ethical awareness and inner values; the need for inner values is more pressing in this age of science and technology than ever before. Therefore, I would like to invite you to consider that we may need a whole new worldview to navigate this challenging time we face today.
At the most fundamental level, we are talking about returning to the ways of our ancestors by living in harmony with nature – gently adjusting our lifestyle to bring us back into balance. If we combine holistic principles with modern technology; if we adjust our lifestyle to reflect higher values, morals, ideals, and principles; if we replace greed, competition, consumption, quantity, and domination with solidarity, cooperation, conservation, quality, and partnership, we would be well on our way toward a more sustainable world, with a healthier and more balanced way of life, wouldn’t we?
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~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
[ Click » here « to read the next part: On Interconnectedness 1/2 – Prologue: Part XI ]
Extra Material: Video: You're It - Alan Watts. Video description: "An inspiring and profound speech from the late Alan Watts. Speech extract from 'Zen Bones and Tales' by Alan Watts"
