Are We Advancing Ourselves Backwards?

en.wikipedia.org

Most of us would be familiar with the phrase made famous in the Spiderman comics: "With great power comes great responsibility." In this day and age, humankind has literally made quantum leaps as far as technological advancement is concerned. Ever since the Renaissance and so-called Enlightenment, science has allowed us to take advantage of many of nature's secrets in order to produce wonders that would astound our ancestors, such as "iron birds that can fly," "horseless carriages that can outrun the fastest horses" or "magic picture frames that allow you to view scenes from half a world away."

To our forebears, such accomplishments would seem like magic, and if there is one area that science has had greatest effect, it's in the dispelling of many of the superstitions that ruled the lives of our ancestors. The scientific drive to question and to verify has led more and more people to throw off the yoke of blind obedience (a trait used in full by the Catholic Church to control the masses). Science has given us so much that atheists frequently raise the banner of science as the answer that would finally dispel the ignorance and suffering caused by religion.

Of course, they do have a point because religious fanaticism is simply wrong. But is science alone the answer, or will we be exchanging one form of extremism for another? Consider this. If science alone is the answer, isn't it strange that despite all our so-called advancements, never in our recorded history has humanity been so close to annihilating itself? If the existence of thousands of nuclear warheads around the world is not enough, consider other technological "advancements" that are doing us harm in the long run such as GMOs, the heavy use of toxic chemicals in the food processing industry, the harmful effects of electro-magnetic frequencies (EMFs) prevalent in many household devices or the grip of pharmaceutical companies on general healthcare, to name only a few.

The Institute for the Future of Humanity, based in Oxford University, has recently come out with a paper called Existential Risk as Global Priority (click on the link for the PDF copy). In the paper, Institute Director Nick Bostrom and his team argue that paradoxically, the present rate and use of scientific advancement has brought humanity closer to the brink of extinction. Something is definitely missing if we have reached this point.

A concrete example that hits close to home on this one is what social activists call the Monsanto Protection Act. This measure is a rider to Farmer Assurance Provision, Sec. 735 and what it does is that it prevents US federal courts from stopping the planting of Monsanto GMO seeds. This Monsanto Protection Act is most likely a reaction to a 2010 case where a federal judge revoked the rights of Monsanto to plant GMO sugar beets. Try to imagine how Monsanto managed to sneak this bill through the US Congress, all the way to President Obama who signed it into law last April. If there was ever an example of a moral compass gone awry, this would be it.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that science is wrong. In fact, I'm a geek and I was totally blown away by the article that detailed the 27 Science Fictions That Became Science Facts in 2012. However, if we look at the world in general, what we are seeing is a general trend from a world that was ruled by religious extremism to one where generally, the overly critical scientific mindset has lost all sense of the sacred. What I'm saying is that both science and spirituality are needed, a scientific drive to inquire and to verify, tempered by the moral obligation to use any discoveries only for the benefit and welfare of others.

A few days ago I watched this YouTube video of a homeschooled then-11-year old giving a TED talk. He basically sums up the current situation nicely and gives sound advice on how we, as individuals, can help to turn things around:



We have a left brain (analytical side) and right brain (intuitive side) for a reason. It is the physical expression of yin and yang, an example of the Law of Polarity made real. Totally giving up one for the other will lead to psychological imbalance. Just as we need both legs in order to run, we need both aspects of critical thinking and intuitive wisdom to make sure that the future we create will be a sustainable one.

Philippines, Where To Now?

untvweb.com

Last May 13, the Philippines had its national mid-term elections (mid-term because the elected officials come in at the midway point of the President's term). I normally refrain from writing articles about politics simply because there is such a broad spectrum of opinion that the debates could be never-ending and heated yet fruitless all the same. However, this time around I felt that I needed to say a little something because of the wide range of emotions displayed among my contacts (at least in Facebook) as the results of the elections became clear.

Even before election day, many have been decrying the strong showing of some candidates with questionable qualifications, but at the same time the various sentiments expressed a certain optimism about the country's future. However, it looked as if the elections were going to be a popularity contest rather than a choice between intelligently crafted political platforms.

For instance, in the May 7 edition of The Philippine Star, it reported that during mock polls conducted last March 2013 by the Pinoy Youth Barometer, youthful voters voted primarily on the basis of personality and name-recall rather than platform. This would be an advantage for political dynasties because of their well-established names. The mock polls turned out to be an accurate indicator for how the elections would turn out. Those who were expected to win did, and while some new names cropped up, in general political dynasties seemed to have retained their hold on traditional bailiwicks.

Soon after the results started coming in, Facebook posts quickly took on a despairing tone as people wailed about how stupid Filipino voters were and how there was no hope for the country. Several were even toying with the idea of leaving the country or, if they had already left, felt vindicated by their decision to leave after seeing the election results.

Amidst this backdrop of angst, it really would do well to reflect on the state of Philippine society. Although there were many Facebook posts about "Don't vote this candidate because..." or "I won't vote candidate XXX because..." the problem is that the majority who needed to be informed about voting wisely most likely had limited Internet access or Internet savvy. There is a reason why politicians favor the more economically deprived sectors of society, because they form the bulk of the votes and outnumber the educated voters. By educated voters, I don't necessarily mean just the rich ones. It's just that the economically challenged masses are more easily swayed by rhetoric and sass and thus prone to vote unwisely.

Given the above realities, it's easier to manage expectations when it comes to things like this. In short, we can never really expect to change the country's politics through voting alone. Before we go on, I'm not talking about revolution or anything like that. In truth, there are many baby steps to institute change even within the current system. Recently, there were proposals for an Anti-Dynasty Bill as well as a proposal to totally remove the pork barrel of congressmen (and senators, too, I believe). Although these measures did not pass for obvious reasons, the fact that these proposals gained enough traction to receive national (and some media) attention is significant because such proposals would have been unimaginable even a few years ago.

One other aspect of hope is that the educated voters more often than not also belong to the upper strata of society. Perhaps not all would be part of the top 40 richest families in the Philippines, but they are most likely in the position to hobnob with those in power. Thus the pressure for change can manifest obliquely, through subtle suggestions and gentle pressure. It won't be fast, but it can be persistent with the right people in the right places doing it. In this case it won't be quantity but quality that will be the defining factor.

I would like to share a few passages from the book Secret Politics by Dieter Ruggeberg that seem quite appropriate for this topic:

The healthy "Self" finds its harmony in a healthy self-awareness, which struggles between becoming entrenched in egoism, and disintegrating under self-sacrifice and lack of self-confidence. The same inherent laws apply to a country. Thus, a country's self-awareness supports itself on an all-embracing sovereignty, the foundation of which is healthy nationalism or patriotism. Just as the "Self" of the individual can harden in pathological egoism, the balance of a country can be threatened by exaggerated nationalism or chauvinism. On the other side lurks the danger of disintegration of the "Self" through weaknesses, cowardice, and lack of interest which can also happen to a country when it lacks a healthy self-awareness, has diseased liberalism, internationalism, lacks patriotism. Man's self-awareness is, therefore, equivalent to a country's sovereignty and its freedom to make its own decisions, and the possibility to defend itself against foreign influences and oppression. (Secret Politics, p. 17)

Since a nation is simply a large conglomeration of individuals, it makes sense to get a sense of the nation by getting a sense of the individual that makes up that nation. But based on Mr. Ruggeberg's description, doesn't the second description, that of the disintegrating Self, remind us of what ails the Philippines?

In the end, as individuals we must decide and act based on what we feel is best. Securing the future of one's children by migrating abroad is a very valid and worthy goal, the same way that the person who decides to become an activist of change in the country also pursues a very valid and worthy goal. What is important is that all of us achieve that awareness of Self so that we end up acting in a responsible manner and don't get swayed by the politics of emotion that tend to sweep not just the Philippines but anywhere else that is in crisis. This would make one an anomaly in the context of the national trend, but it would be a good anomaly. And if enough people become that anomaly, then suddenly you've turned the tables and we have a nation that is self-aware.

Here's a quote I recently saw on Facebook:

There is one person that can make the most difference in your life. You.

This captures the essence of the matter. Don't pin your hopes on politicians and don't give the power of change to others.

The power of change is already within YOU.

Ground And Sun Your Way To Better Health

natures-blessings.org

Grounding (also known as rooting) is an important part of any spiritual exercise. Prolonged meditation can lead to expansion of consciousness and feelings of bliss. While it's tempting to remain in this state, it can also leave the practitioner metaphorically floating and spaced out. In effect, one may be unable to effectively deal with the more practical side of life. Symptoms may include the inability to focus during work, impractical ideas or a constant dreamy, faraway look even when talking to other people. So make sure you ground yourself well after every spiritual exercise that you do.

In addition to its place in spiritual practice, it turns out grounding also has some scientific basis. It has to do with good old-fashioned electromagnetism. The Earth has a negative electric charge on its surface, so when one walks or stands barefoot on the ground, these electrons transfer into the body and bring positive physical effects.

Some studies indicate that the electrons that one absorbs from the Earth result in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Improved circulation, immune responses, heart function and lessened stress responses are among the other noted effects of grounding. Since chronic inflammation is a condition associated with diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, the positive effects of grounding take on even more significance. The Earth is literally the best source of antioxidants and nothing beats the fact that it's all free and relatively easy to access.

Footwear and any type of flooring will block the transfer of electrons so in order to derive any benefits from grounding, you need to be in direct contact with the Earth. You can get a better idea of the science behind grounding through this article in Dr. Mercola's website. While you're at it, you may as well take into consideration the etheric cleanliness of the surrounding area where you plan to do your rooting. Areas in or around septic tanks, garbage dumps or cemeteries, for example, are not ideal places to do grounding. Look instead for peaceful gardens, parks or better yet, areas of natural vegetation such as mountains or farmland.

I like to combine grounding with one other activity: sunning myself. Vitamin D has many benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties, improved immune function and anti-depressant properties. The best (and cheapest) way to get Vitamin D is through sun exposure, which is why it's a perfect combo with grounding because both activities need to be done outdoors.

The length of time that one needs to remain under the sun is dependent on one's geographical location, skin pigmentation, season, ground elevation and time of day. It's all quite complicated, but you can get by with these general guidelines:

1. Sun exposure between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is considered optimal because you can get the most Vitamin D production for the shortest amount of time.

2. You can stay under the sun until your skin turns the lightest shade of pink. After that point, your body is not producing any more Vitamin D so further sun exposure is not needed.

For those concerned about getting skin cancer, the important thing is not to overexpose yourself. Some studies published in The Lancet and Medical Hypotheses indicate that proper sun exposure actually decreases your risk of skin cancer. Again, balance is the key.

Personally, I set a timer for 10 minutes so that I don't overexpose myself. If the day is particularly hot, drink a glass of water before and/or after sunning yourself to minimize the risk of heat stroke.

This daily grounding exercise has become a mini-meditation for me, sort of like a merging of Heaven and Earth meditation. I give thanks to God for the solar prana and sustenance, usually by silently chanting the Gayatri mantra, and I also give thanks to Mother Earth for the grounding and nurturing. It's certainly a great way to charge up your day.

These components of grounding and sun exposure have been part and parcel of various spiritual disciplines throughout the ages. It's good to know that these spiritual practices are also grounded (pardon the pun) in science and health.

Defining Your Sense Of Self Worth

unlimited-success.co.uk

How does one measure the worth of a person?

One thing about society's concept of worth is that it is too often measured against financial and material accomplishments and achievements. For example, the most beautiful and masterfully crafted works of art would be empty accomplishments if the artist could not afford to send his/her children to school, or pay the rent or mortgage (after all, works of art usually gain value only after the artist dies). It would seem that the situation has reached the point that lack of accomplishment in material or financial matters is considered a form of irresponsibility. But is one's worth only what is reflected in the balance sheet?

In order to look deeper into this, we need to see what happens when things go wrong because this is when most people feel worthless (with others all too happy to sing that chorus). There is a song called Bad Day by Daniel Powter and perhaps it's better known as the song played for eliminated contestants in American Idol 5. But there are really some days when things just don't fall into place and one thing after another goes wrong. Some people have more of it than others but basically, no one is immune from a bad day.

A bad day is probably one of the few things in life that doesn't distinguish between rich or poor, powerful or weak, healthy or sick. When things go wrong, your bank account, degree, your job title or social position will not matter, only your mindset will.

So how do we deal with a bad day? How does one stop from feeling worthless? Since everyone will encounter at least one bad day in their whole lifetime, it's important to grasp at every little positive thing, no matter how trivial it seems. Literally count your blessings! You'd be surprised at just how much good you can find in yourself if you put effort into it, and then the day won't seem so bad after all.

An example of looking for something positive would be a situation that made you pissed off but where you didn't lose control and blow your top. You can either continue being pissed off that the bad situation happened at all, or you can reflect and congratulate yourself that you managed a bit of self control in not blowing your top, especially if this is an improvement over what you may have been likely to do in similar situations before.

Of course, it's important to distinguish between the truly good that you see in yourself versus having an overinflated sense of self-importance. If one has made a mistake, one should correct it. Self-honesty is the only way to avoid the trap of self-delusion. But even then, if you can be honest enough to admit your mistakes, that's one good thing about yourself and you still come out a winner.

The more you build up the list of good things you recognize about yourself, the more your self-esteem grows. The more your self-esteem grows, the more you get a sense of your true worth. When you know what you're worth, you are less likely to be defined by what others say about you or be forced to conform with what society defines as normal. More often than not, we seek acceptance and approval from others, that's why we feel the need to be worth something in the first place. So when we receive any form of criticism or attack, that sense of acceptance and approval is threatened so we feel bad and may even strike back.

Some criticisms are deserved, but other times they are done out of spite, jealousy or misunderstanding. Too much criticism can leave someone doubting one's worth and can lead into a downward spiral of depression. Coupled with some runs of "bad luck" and one can really feel as if the world is out to get them. For most people, these are temporary states that one can easily snap out of. For others, it can become a lifelong struggle to find meaning in life.

Whenever you're down is actually the best time for you to love and accept everything about yourself when no one else will. Your sense of true worth will be the innermost rock that you can grasp and use to hold yourself steady against the tide of trials that life may throw your way. It becomes easier to dust yourself off, be better and try harder. It even becomes easier to be harshly honest with yourself, because you know that no matter how bad you're going to appear under the harsh eye of self-criticism, you still know there's something good in you, you know there is something to accept, and you know there's still something to love. In short, you know your worth and there's no price tag attached to it.

The magical thing is, once you start to truly accept yourself (warts and all), then you start to appreciate what unconditional love must be like. Just imagine, it doesn't matter if you went to college, didn't get that promotion, failed the board exam, have a bum career, don't get along with people. None of it matters, you are simply loved and accepted as you are. You don't even have to do anything or prove anything in order to get it. If there are prerequisites or you need to "earn" it somehow, it wouldn't be unconditional.

The sages say that God is Love, and that His love is unconditional. We are all divine sparks and one with God. Therefore, the very root of love is found within us. We need not search for acceptance and approval from others. There is only one source of genuine acceptance and approval that we need, and we only need to recognize it in ourselves. It makes one think of what the Lord Jesus said, that heaven is within us.

With this recognition of the love within us, I am loved becomes the new mantra and affirmation. Had a bad day? I am loved. Did an irate customer shout invectives at you? I am loved. Passed over for promotion? I am loved. Feel you made the most stupid mistake in the world? I am loved. Were you humiliated in front of others? I am loved. Didn't pass that test? I am loved. Are you persecuted because of your race, creed or religion? I am loved.

Eventually, this type of attitude will not be limited to bad days alone. It will become a new outlook in life, a life that looks and feels fresher simply because you have accepted yourself and know your worth. Of course, nothing happens overnight and we will need to constantly remind ourselves of the fact that we are worth something before this attitude becomes ingrained.

This state is something that is experienced, not imagined. Yet imagination paves the way to infinite possibilities, so imagine it at the start if you must and remember that your true worth is the unconditional love of God that is already yours if you but recognize and accept it.