My Beliefs and Yours, Room for All

 

 Our carts almost crashed in the health food store while we were both looking for items on the shelves. “Oh, sorry!” I smiled.

 The cute, petit, grey-haired woman smiling back. “That’s Ok.”

            I went on my way. Later, in the vegetable section, she began talking to me. Asking me about my blood type, telling me her issues with certain foods.  Then she told me how old she was, and how wonderful she feels, because she eats for her blood type.

            She began jumping up and down to show me what good shape she is in. I mentioned a bit about what I do for my healthy eating, and I teach Ayurveda, etc., but she really wasn’t interested. I even jumped up and down too! 

 Eventually she pulled out a folded, worn pamphlet from her purse, “See here, this is what you should be eating. You can have this information if you want it.” She held it up in front of me.

 I smiled. I told her I’d read the book about that when it came out. I like what I am doing, but thank you.

 She continued her discussion for a little while. It took a few more moments to disengage nicely and move on to my shopping. I was struck by her passion. We are benefited greatly by the passion we have for our chosen path, be it for a certain way of eating, a certain way of caring for ourselves, or our personal faith. Having that passion flooding our body and soul is good for us physically, and for our overall wellbeing.

 As I drove home, I chuckled to myself as I analyzed her mind/body type according to Ayurevda. I’m not saying this is a good idea, with such a short meeting, yet with my years of study, I saw a little imbalance in her strong desire to ‘sell’ me and change me to her method!

 When we are excited about something we have discovered for ourselves, it is so natural to want to share it. We want others to feel the powerful, positive results we’ve experienced. But what if the other person is equally passionate about what they have found?

 Several years ago, a dear friend and I were having lunch. She is very devout in her particular faith. I love her enthusiasm. When she talks about her faith it is beautiful. But this day she was attempting to convince me to change my beliefs to be more in line with hers. She spoke with such reverence I actually got tears in my eyes. 

 I told her, “Seeing your deep faith, your total devotion is breathtaking. I know there is a special place for you in the world to share your beliefs. You have a gift in how you tell of it.

 And you know what? I feel exactly the same about my beliefs. I feel that passion about mine. They move me too.”

And we both sat peacefully in silence.

 

My Intention for this BLOG on the subject of politics

 

I have always been fascinated with philosophy, spirituality, and sociology; to understand ourselves and our world and how we can reduce suffering and increase wellbeing. Wanting this, of course, leads to politics. The organizing power of people can encourage and support wellbeing for everyone.

Politics, for many, also leads to a struggle. There is the pain of sitting on one side of the political viewpoint and hearing the hateful tone and words from the other side. How do we create wellbeing while noticing this?

The Buddhists have an answer. Non-attachment.  Suffering, according the Buddhist tradition, is caused by our thoughts and desires and our attachment to them.  This attachment can be to a reality that is other than what we see, an attachment to an idea, a relationship, or thing other than what it is, etc.

Also, in the yogic philosophy, the practice of balance in all things adds to the likelihood of finding wellbeing -- eliminating the extremes, staying centered, non-violence in thought and deed.

And Jesus said, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."

Since paying attention to politics sent me out of balance and caused me to feel stress, I’ve intended for a few years now to use this as part of my spiritual practice. Here is my intention:

1)      To see all views as valid.

2)      To forge an understanding of all sides

3)      To loosen my attachments to different viewpoints.

This does not mean I don’t carry my own opinions and vote. This just means I don’t feel emotionally off balance.  I have compassion and understanding for all views and am not affected by the vitriol that is thrown around by those who are unconsciously so attached to their own views that they cannot see any others.

My practice has created a shift within me. I sense new energy surrounding commerce and politics. I realize it isn’t obvious out in the world, yet. But it all begins with each one of us.

If you want to commit to this practice too, I invite you to follow my  Blog, The Evolution of Political Consciousness. It doesn’t matter where you are on the political spectrum. When we learn to listen to one another with love and understanding, we will be able to heal the societal landscape.

 

How to solve our most perplexing problems

 

(It feels a bit like Andy Rooney meets Oprah Winfrey)

 

1) Immigration. Let it be known that to stay in the US if you come illegally, you must give 2 years of service to your new country. Have congress create special units, teach them English, give them orders.

a. Give up citizenship to your old country. Dual citizenship isn’t allowed in the US military

b. Don’t want to join the military or do not qualify? Serve in another capacity.

 

Not only does our military need more soldiers and sailors, it would be a disincentive for others who are not serious about being a positive contributor to this country to come in the first place.

 

2). Get the cell phones out of our children’s hands especially while at our schools. There is no good reason to have them while in class and multiple reasons why they should not. It’s ruining their emotional wellbeing, causing dangerous consequences from predators, consistently a distraction, and taking away from nature, physical activity, social engagement and on and on. And teach civics, self-reliance, problem solving and life skills.

 

3) Realize what we are doing to half of the citizens in this country by not listening to them, shoving significant, new cultural changes down their throats, and then criticizing them endlessly. People don’t like change. Isn’t there a better way to foster personal growth and acceptance of diversity? The motives were good, but the methods of correction have stretched too far in one direction. Like an overextended rubber band, it is going to cause an over-reaction in the opposite direction. It has created the Donald Trumps of the world rising to be these people’s heroes and leaders.

 

4) For many years there has been an increasing war on men; in entertainment that includes humiliation, blame for every society failure, no credit for all the innovation, creativity, protection, loyalty, or formation of the most equitable form of government ever devised. From Jackie Gleason to Married with Children to Barbie, men have taken the brunt without complaining. Any human being benefits from recognition. It’s gone solely to the minorities and women for too long. This too is an over-correction. In correcting the inequity of the sexes, we seem to have demonized one and that should be curbed now. We must appreciate men too. What world are we bringing our boys up into?

 

5) Our tax code is incredibly complex, with layers upon layers of new rules piled on top of it with each new administration. Within the rules are conflicting laws, mesmerizing rules of qualifications for deductions, contributions, taxability of cash flows, ridiculously difficult for the average tax payer to understand themselves. Attempts to simplify it always fail. Let’s start with personal income, corporate returns will be more complicated, but should also be addressed next. An example, have simple exemptions for family members, with income tax brackets starting at an income of $35,000, more for a family. Flat income tax of 10% up to 100,000, 15% up to $200,000, 20% for up to $300,000. 30% for all over $400,000. A taxpayer making $125,000 would have an effective bracket of 10.25%. This should leave enough of a living wage with the taxpayers.

 

6) Now onto health care. I am a capitalist, however, as stated in a quote by Vaidya Brahmanand Swamigal, “Wealth earned from medical science is always contaminated as it comes from the suffering of others. Thus, it must be practiced with compassion and humility. Without greed and ego.” This presents a problem. We see, from other countries who have social health care, the downside: long waits for appointments, less motivation on the medical community, innovations lagging, those who can afford it come to countries like ours, which provide state of the art treatment and prompt care.

Yet, between Big Pharma and medical care, money runs the show. Treatments that are effective but bring little profit receive little attention, profits often run the care choices instead of what will bring more wellbeing to the patient. You can’t patent natural products, so those go unseen. We do need a new form of healthcare based on prevention, not waiting until symptoms become debilitating and then treating the symptoms instead of addressing the cause. Perhaps a tiered system from social medicine choices to for profit choices. But it isn’t quite there yet.

 

 

Problems at the border?

 

Place the men and women flooding into our country into the US military. They will be earning a living while serving our country for a chance to become citizens. Our military is in need of recruits. Just may stem the flow too, and perhaps some will stay and help their countries form better governance.

 

And while we are doing this, how about requiring high school graduates to serve their country in some way for at least a year before going on to higher learning? They would select a service of their choice, from the military, to building homes for the homeless, cleaning up blighted and deteriorating city areas, planting neighborhood vegetable gardens in poorer areas, reading to children in day care and elementary schools, helping in nursing homes and so on; the list is endless. Many young people are so focused on themselves, are emotionally depressed or anxious, and habitually on electronics. We can help with that. Getting them away from these devices for a change, and enabling them to see how being of service is rewarding and fulfilling.

Hysteria

 

Hysteria once again has taken hold of every position on the spectrum of political views. The extreme exaggerations, the cry of victimhood over slight offenses, the fear generating statements to scare people toward one side or another, are harming our country, our children and our future.

Seeing the world through the eyes of politics distorts reality.

This does not work. We can solve our problems, but we need to calm down.  

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Let's Be Really Honest

 

Is it out of convenience we determine the sanctity of life? Is it animals we have relationships with that we protect? Not farm animals, we eat them. Endangered animals? Animal's lives aren't sacred? Embryos, fetuses, babies we didn’t want, or convicted criminals; do we deny them a right to life? Why do we decide what life is sacrosanct and what life is expendable? Does anyone really know? I venture to offer we are still a primitive species making small and monstrous mistakes. We need to move carefully and thoughtfully. Not knee-jerk rebellion nor celebration. No, we aren’t evolved enough for that.

 

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

It Isn’t Left or Right, Its Tribalism

 

Over our country’s history the political parties have shifted, and sometimes moved ideologically in a big way.  Hard core Republicans and Democrats don’t want to hear this, but in today’s political climate, as probably we always were, we are much more tribal.

            It is solidly in our DNA to gravitate toward those we identify with. Those who make us feel our opinions and beliefs are right. Once we ‘find’ our tribe we are susceptible to the shifting opinions of that tribe. Nothing stays the same in real life. Each political party has members who represent various factions of ideology.

            What is going on is much more than polarization. There aren’t just two ‘sides’; there are multiple tribes. And once a person is steeped in the identity of a certain tribe, they are susceptible to the shifting tides of it. Distrust the government, there are several tribes who adhere to that. Distrust rich people? Distrust Wall Street? Suspicious of environmental conservation projects? Look down on rural communities? Urban communities? Suspicious of efforts toward racial justice? Distrusting of government shifting the material to be taught to our children?

            Each tribe holds multiple beliefs, and as one gravitates to one tribe because they believe in prudent fiscal spending, for instance, they become susceptible to the other beliefs within this group; perhaps the opinion that all lower income people want the government to give them more free money and services.

            A tribe who doesn’t trust the government can easily extend this suspicion to the medical community, a similar big power group. A tribe who believes wealthy people are untrustworthy may eventually add the opinion that there is a sinister group of wealthy people trying to take over the whole planet for themselves.  

            The biggest take away from this situation is to understand how we are influenced by those we listen to and hang around. To be insightful as to how and why we think a certain way about a topic. To question our own beliefs. To not just buy in to one political party in its entirety. Because each is made up of multiple tribes.

Once Again

 

Once again, a horrific school shooting and everyone in the media is clambering to blame 'the others', lamenting along with their positions, angering one side or the other. We, ultimately, are all at fault.

Our culture has a sickness to put it simply. It out-pictures in the vulnerable among us. Those lost souls with so much lack of meaning in their lives, that they act out in the worst ways to relieve their pain.

And we allow this to happen. It is a spiritual crisis.

Children are growing up in a sea of violence, meanness, incivility, and lack of respect. Problems are cast off as someone else's responsibility. Every issue is torn into opposing camps throwing endless barbs.

The government cannot fix the sickness in our society.

We, the people have to mature, take responsibility, admit we have a crisis of meaning with no solutions. The next evolution of our species must be in our consciousness. And all of us need to work together and use all the solutions. It starts with kindness, care, and understanding.

“I do honestly think that if women were running the world there would be more investment in peace, because basically as women we do not want to see our children killed. Maybe I am completely idealistic, but until we see women in equal positions of power in the world, I just think that we are doomed.” - Meryl Streep 

This isn't a political comment though some may go there. Please try not to.

It would appear that the role women have been naturally endowed with has gone hidden in modern culture. (Note. There is a spectrum of personality from what is considered masculine to feminine. I respect all expressions.)

Women have long been credited with roles such as nurturer, healer, spiritual guide, peace keeper, environmentalist, equal rights advocate, as well as ushering the next generation into adulthood with stability, respectfulness, and responsibility with great, fierce love.

These are the most common attributes women were seen as having.

Now, in current culture, in a misguided attempt at equal rights, we are shown in the media stories and shows of women taking up male-like toughness physically, with weapons, blowing up places with bombs, fighting, and basically moving backwards in the evolution of our species. It is truly cringeworthy and sets off alarms, or at least it should.

Creating a better, more peaceful world isn't advanced by women making the same mistakes as men have. We have the power to give a peaceful balance to society. It is in our nature and takes more courage than does hate and violence. So yes, we need to find positions where we can make change.

 

I was going to write about post pandemic PTSD, but frankly, those of you who have been following me for years know what I'd recommend, i.e. take care of yourself, limit news, meditate, eat well, get good sleep, get outside, move etc.

     What is going on is so much deeper than COVID. We are in a major transition to something new. So many authors, teachers, and spiritual leaders have written about moving through these upheavals, attempting to explain how the state of chaos in the world came to be, how it is affecting all of us, and what will happen next.

     We have been going through a unique period in our lifetime. Information and events have been exploding into our lives faster than we can adapt to it. Not only the health issues with the pandemic, the political storms, lack of consensus on facts (knowledge commons), and the economic issues from lock downs, but also the effects from the stress caused by it all; more divorces, eating disorders, depression, drinking, and anxiety among them.

     The media chooses stories to dwell on, magnify, exaggerate and cover day after day after day, until we feel like the whole world is in some sort of hell. Depending on what source of information you tune into the stories vary widely.

     In a true democratic system, there is knowledge commons and there is a base line of consensus for what we are, as a nation, attempting to create, what democracy means, and how the government works. Our disagreements have normally been on what government can do to protect that and how.

     We've entered, over the last decades, a period where we act like those who have different ideas to solve problems are ignorant, enemies, or just plain evil. Groups, organizations, colleges, media sources, and social media, censor opinions they don't want to hear; we have lost the ability to hear opposing views.  We have fractured pieces of 'reality' wherein extreme conspiracy theories gain millions of followers. There is an abundance of mistrust in the 'others'. Author Charles Eisenstein noted, "How can we have a democracy if we are being incited to hate each other by the very media we depend on to tell us what is real, what is "news" and what the world is?"  The political party in power tries to repress and censor the opposing party's views.

 

     Our cultural blemishes have risen to the forefront and are being seized upon by different sides. We live in a story that there are good guys and bad guys, and everyone thinks they are the good guy.

 

     And yet:

·         We are all one in the human family

·         We have all been the good guy and the bad guy

·         In our world there are opposing beliefs in which both are true

·         What we call 'truth' shifts with levels of consciousness

 

     The likeliest explanation for the current state, upon the revelation of the destructive stories we've been hiding, covering up or ignoring, are hopefully, the last gasps of the most primitive of consciousness, as it raises its ugly head for all to see.

     For example, there has always been a percentage of people who are drawn to law enforcement and military because of the sense of power and control it gives them over others. (There are ways to screen out these individuals in the application process with psych tests for social pathology.)

     Yet we can't fix what we aren't aware of. Those of us in the spiritual community are painfully aware of all the world's atrocities, from the horrors of war, famine, prisons, devastation of lands, all kinds of violence, to the insidious, subtle discriminations and everyday insults by all manner of journalists, bloggers and everyday people.

          When I was young in the 60s and 70s, we were filled with energy and ideas for creating a new world: just, safe, environmentally healthy, with gender equality and healthier food. We saw women were treated unfairly and often as sex objects, minorities experienced deep discrimination from every level, senseless wars, and guns and violence exploded in the streets. We charged forward to change this.

     We failed. There are more guns, still wars, more sexualization of young girls, still inequities, and we are less healthy.

     We have to tell a new story. One not of good and evil, us versus them, but a culture of compassion, listening, patience, creative problem solving, and understanding. It is time for transformation. We know in our hearts that the way society has been isn't working, and it's making us sick. It's making the Earth sick as well.

     And not tell a story of what we're against. The against position is already coming from behind, a weakened state that makes opposite forces strengthen more. Instead of pushing against opinions, beliefs or thoughts, manifest a powerful new vision that encompasses a beautiful story.

     Seeing two young children fighting over a toy, rather than make one right and one wrong, an effective parent will work out a solution that reduces upsetting emotions, makes them feel understood, and invites them to help come up with a peaceful one. We are no different. If we are told we are wrong we dig in our heels, don't we? We are more determined to prove we are right and they are wrong. What you push against grows stronger.

 

     So, I challenge everyone to create a new story.

 

·         Make one up. Call it fiction. There are always truths in storytelling.

·         Think, talk, write, read, stories with beautiful answers.

·         Envision the world how you know it could be.

·         Be fierce in your determination.

·         Don't stay silent when others try to drag someone or a group through the mud.

Ask the hard questions when they complain about the 'other'. Ask why they think the other is that way, challenge them to go deeper.

·         Tell personal stories to exemplify your points.

·         Flood the internet with good stories.

·         You don't need to defend or explain what your personal politics are, democrat or republican, independent or libertarian. It's all fine. This isn't a process for one political persuasion.

 

     In my book, The Light of Grace, two of the characters lived in future time periods: one in mid-21^st century, and one in the 26^th-century. It was great fun working out how many of today's problems were solved. So, inadvertently, I've already begun this process!

     One of the efforts of the spiritual community is to encourage people to go inward more, study scriptures and develop practices that raise one's consciousness and the desired effect will be the raising of mass consciousness. As the teachings go, when it reaches critical mass, this will change our culture, change society for the better. And we can see the emerging effect. You can find results all around.

     But I think we need to do more. I hope you're with me. Thank you.

*Photo by Obie Fernandez on Unsplash

Political Balance

 

 

I’ve been concerned, and over the last 30 years it has been an increasing concern. In fact, I've been writing about this for years, the widening political division. We’ve always had it, but I do remember when it wasn’t so in our face, so vicious and full of a deep stubbornness that holds us back from understanding each other. We can debate the causes and the beginning point, but I do remember while Reagan was president the media seemed to stretch more and more into opinion instead of mere reporting. Then we all know what ended up happening. Media companies took up sides, deciding what to omit and what to embellish.

     We start politically rubber-banding in sometimes exaggerated ways. Stretching and straining into imbalance from liberal and conservative administrations and imbalanced media coverage. If this imbalance is deep enough, the most inflamed sectors of the populace act out, sometimes leading to violence.

     I'd like to present what a balanced governance would look like.  I believe we've had it before, if only sporadically. Right now, it is as if we think we can only have either conservative or liberal policies. It isn't supposed to be this way.

     Warning, I'm going to get real politically incorrect, bringing up the masculine and feminine ways of approaching governance, and the huge benefits as well as disadvantages of both. Both are sorely needed.

 

What a conservative position stands for in a balanced, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual way:

 

1)      The conservative model represents male energy, or patriarchal, in its approach to managing, guiding and encouraging a people.

2)      The ideal goal is to allow people the freedom and space to create their own dreams and provide the open doors to pursue that.

3)      There is a strong belief that if a government aids people in need over and above what is essential in an emergency situation, the country will be fostering a state of dependence in such people. (welfare state)

4)      To help those in dire need is a necessity for a government, but to continue that help when the person is able-bodied only takes away that person’s means to achieve self-fulfillment and self-esteem as well as a sense of accomplishment.

5)      To enable a group of individuals to remain on more aid than is necessary for survival weakens society and allows a segment of the population to become a burden when in fact they could be productive given responsibility for themselves.

6)      Capitalism is the best form of economic base for a country and it will enable prosperity to the broadest number of people.

7)      Supply and demand in a free society will of its own accord will be the fairest system to all, pricing goods and services more equitably than any government could.

(Based on the belief of Adam Smith in 1776, ‘A Wealth of Nations’ which influenced our Declaration of Independence)

8)      Underlying these beliefs is the basic belief that people given free rein will rise to their full capabilities.

9)      This is very much like the father’s form of parenting, giving the children more responsibility, playing a bit tough, but being there for support of the helpless.

10)  The government is ready to protect during real or perceived threats.

 

When this form of governing gets out of balance, just like a father too stern or removed from the children, it can grow toward one end of the spectrum creating lack in other areas. In the effort to protect the masses and put resources there, there could be a lack of nurturing and respect of the people, the environment and the small businesses.  Funding can get lop-sided toward the male energy type activities, too much of the resources going giving it more authority, territorial rights, defense, etc. Aggression can be a knee jerk reaction to problems. Businesses may grow irresponsibly, ignoring the byproducts of their wastefulness and lack of ecological awareness as well as an understanding of the needs of the individual workers.

 

 

What a liberal position stands for in a balanced, emotional, intellectual and spiritual way:

 

1)      Conversely to the conservative model, the liberal model represents female energy, or maternal in its approach to managing, guiding and nurturing a people.

2)      The ideal goal is to create a safe, healthy environment that is rich in experience and gives everyone an opportunity to become what they want to be.

3)      There is a strong belief that if the government shows the people it’s ability to be there for them, have safety nets in place, caring for the poor, aged, disadvantaged, discriminated against, and ill, that this is a sign of success.

4)      To lack taking sufficient care of the less fortunate will bring an eventuality of more crime, hopelessness and despair. The gulf between the poor and wealthy will grow.

5)      To have a government that brings speedy aid to the less fortunate will allow those individuals, with government programs assisting them, become productive citizens of society and, in the end, off government assistance.

6)      Capitalism may be the best form of economic base, but the government must be vigilant in making sure it is fair to all.

7)      Sometimes supply and demand isn’t fair to all and the government can and should equal things out for everyone.

8)      Underlying these beliefs is the basic belief that we are our brother’s keeper. We are all ultimately responsible for the welfare of our people and the world where we can help.

9)      This, obviously, is very much like the mother’s form of parenting, very nurturing, helpful, listening, and being supportive in the direction the individuals want to go in.

10)  This government is ready to nurture and protect its weakest segment of society.

 

When this form of governing gets out of balance, just like a mother that is too permissive or too helpful, it can create divisions of the people. The people that work hardest and create the most success can be penalized by a heavy tax burden to support an ever-growing dependent population. Too much rescuing robs them of the opportunity to develop self-reliance, find out what they are innately capable of, thereby never attaining their potential or self-fulfillment. Their offspring becomes entangled in the web of government agencies without hope of escaping.

 

In both of the extreme scenarios there would be an eventual outcome of an exhausted, over-expended state, somewhat similar to single parenting!

 

A person in balance has an opportunity to improve, and raise his or her consciousness.

A person out of balance has fewer options available, being seemingly held down by unknown outside forces, which is an illusion. The country is a macrocosm of this.

 

The balance is created by the individuals, all of us; enabling our capacity for nurturing and discipline within ourselves and each other.  We, of course, need both attributes in a society. With balance, peace, fortitude, both caring and responsibility, we can create a vibrant, healthy populace that offers the fertile ground for all to grow. If humanity continues to thrive on this planet there will inevitably be an evolution resulting in the merging of these attributes in ourselves and our government, assisting the needy and fostering self-reliance.

 

We can see it in individuals right now. We are developing more awareness, use of our potential and certainly moving into a more whole-brained way of life. It is a matter of consciousness being raised above the polarization of society.