What to do in the mad, mad world?

Some of the frustration is truly in the way you are parsing some of the issues.

There are events of a larger scale than the life of an individual. We think of our bodies as ourselves and yet our bodies are common biological stock that most fundamentally exists to perpetuate and extend information, our genes. Within a population are individuals at various stages of development and not all progeny survives to reproduce.

With human beings there is the additional information of things we created and we work to extend and perpetuate those as well, progress. In this area there are individuals in many stages of development and not all will survive to maturity. Societies naturally become stratified in this way as they follow the inclinations of the individual, some preform at one level and some at another, which is not disruptive of itself, but becomes so in the company of competition for resources.

The idea of competition as opposed to the idea of cooperation is what feeds the predatory nature of the system. In a competitive market system there are always winners and loosers. Because we have applied the idea of competition across the globe, it is the earth that is loosing in some respects at our expense. It does not have to be this way.

As far as what can be done, the sky is the limit if you understand that significant evolutionary expressions occur most prolifically in isolation.
It is always at the individual level that inspiration springs. There are pioneers and those who only wish to get by.

I think the human energy system produces a field effect and the influence of that field depends on the frequency and duration of mental focus, which translates into physical activity. The most effective resonances are produced through personal success. If I may give a brief example, the European sailors of the 15th & 16th centuries, through focused determination that was not shared by too many, on a practical level, doubled the size of the world for the whole of humanity.

What is practical is simply that which is practiced. I am far from hopeless. New paradigms are achieved with the advent of critical mass. There is an expression that describes this world changing process.
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that starts as the smallest of seeds yet grows to the largest of shrubs, so that the birds of the air come to make their nests in the shade of it's branches.

The least compassionate thing anyone can do is wait for critical mass.
Be whatever change you want to see.

 

If we stipulate that governments and large corporations are controlled by the wealthy, and are themselves the enemies of the common man, the real question is:

What do we do about it?[/QUOTE]

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No,the real question is what can we do about it ?

Nothing will change until there is a conscious mind shift and enlightenment of the majority in the fundamentally flawed ways we ,namely in the "free "world perceive, view and think about ourselves before others . Until we end our selfish all consuming greed and lust for power and material possessions nothing will change . Until we realize we have been brainwashed since birth to be mass consuming, tax paying sheep ,and conformists. That pretty much everything we have been taught is a lie , and geared toward mans destruction. and until we really understand that we are on an UNSUSTAINABLE path to destruction . That the sense of entitlement we have in the "free" world is keeping poverty in and abstract misery thriving in the third world and condoning war crimes and mass hunger in 80 % of the population of the planet . While we selfishly sit by and our biggest thoughts and concerns are not lifting all of mankind up and out of poverty together as one,but getting more loans from banking criminals to buy 500,000 dollar boxes to live in and putting up fences to keep others out . And more loans for 40,000 gas guzzling automobiles . 401 k , roll overs to protect and build wealth . Supporting and condoning an unfair class system .


Until we STOP idolizing , worshiping power, money and tolerating the immoral and corrupt leeches who do nothing but take and usurp and plunder our society and for the most part go unchallenged and never held accountable for their actions . There are no marches , protests,boycotts or revolts going to fix these problems . The problem is our selfish, immoral non ethical, no integrity culture and society. The common man built this system , the common man can dismantle this system . Only, however when he is ready and sees it for the evil it is that he has created dollar for dollar . Only when he confronts himself and the demons held within his own heart . And no longer aspires to wealth ,greed, apathy, and selfishness to have so much, when so many have so little.

We must remember that WE built these mega corporations and global banking cartels piece by piece from OUR own greed . THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THAT IS TO STOP BUYING ! And that my friend will NEVER happen in this insane society we find ourselves in . We blame THEM ,yet it's WE who built THEM .Loan by loan , product by product WE gave them control over US and now the WORLD . In fact we begged to be enslaved by them through generation after generation supporting and paying for pure evil to thrive and grow into the new GOD the almighty dollar to replace the old one , of our forefathers .

This is a cultural , societal problem that is way passed the tipping point of being fixed . This is an empire on the eve of total destruction . We are in the last days of it's existence . It will not stand much longer . There is no fixing it . It must be allowed to fall and then rebuilt . And hopefully next time isn't built on greed , selfishness , tyranny and immorality . However , if human nature and history are any guides to future predictions than my bet would be a new cycle of corruption and greed will begin .

No matter what our personal beliefs , when we left the spiritual / nature path we were doomed . No matter if you believe in God , Jesus ,Allah , Buddha , the great spirit or Bob Marley . Spirituality is part of mans soul , it keeps us moral , connected , grounded ,humble, grateful and aware of others and their suffering . Because suffering is the only REAL human condition . And no one suffers like the poor and oppressed . How ANYONE could justify condone and worship wealth , or taking more than one needs for basic survival today is beyond me . Yet we glorify and aspire to it . And until we learn to see it for the selfish evil it really is as a society as a whole , Nothing will change .

We have to free our mind of material slavery . And realize what we do to our brothers , we do to ourselves .

Am I my brothers keeper ?

 

So, what to do? We have to eat and have shelter everything else is 'consumerism' and 'materialism'.
Do we shelter our family? Re-educate them.
Educate them agaisnt materialism and consumerism. I believe change starts with ourselves and those, like our family, who we have some control over. If we dont raise our kids to continue to propagate the material/consumerist society we have to have an alternative for them.
We need to stop feeding the feudal system of life long mortgages, landlords and renting. Shelter should not be a commodity.
The only solution I have is to create an estate to make sure my family can propagate theirselves and future generations by not paying someone else for shelter. Have our own energy source and land to grow our own food. In short, to depend on themselves and not be dependent on our current consumer materialistic society. Kind of like what monks do at monostaries. Is that the way families and society should go? Would this be going back to harder times? With todays technology it wouldnt have to.imo

 

Yes. I believe we all are, though many choose not to accept responsibility for the welfare of our fellow man. And it isn't christianity or judaism that lead me to feel that way, but simply the fact that I am here and I feel compassion. We all suffer, it is a commonality that binds every human together in a shared experience. Every living thing for that matter. I look into my past and see some of my own that was directly tied to trying to live the contradictions and hypocrisies that are prevalent in our modern society. Self-inflicted through ignorance and the relinquishing of control. That I extricated my self and thereby reduced my own personal suffering is a joy to me. But I still see others who not only continue to accept it all, but actively assist it along, help it destroy themselves.

It is because I believe that my own existence has a purpose beyond survival that I posed the question to begin with. It is not ethereal answers about changing the way I see reality or empowering myself that I seek. When it all falls apart, I will have no qualms about defending myself and those gathered around me that I share a community with. But we're not fully there yet and though I prepare for the worst, I retain hope that we can actually make a difference.

I believe that I am. I know I have had a positive influence on people around me, and for that I get to sleep easy at night. When the system crashes and the net sum of suffering goes through the roof, my nights will likely be more fitful and restless if I did nothing to attempt to expand that as far as possible. Everything starts at the individual level, but it must grow beyond the confines of a single person if it is to have an effect on the whole.

It is war. It has been waged throughout all of human history. Class war. Though I believe that we should "do no harm" when it comes to those who peacefully coexist with us, those who actively attack us or subtly subjugate us (even if it is by our own tacit consent) have placed themselves in direct opposition to the goals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They "do harm" to the whole. And they use the very language of freedom and liberty as their smoke screen. I don't believe in initiating force when dealing with others, but I do believe in returning a punch when one is thrown at me. In that metaphor, as a group, we are just taking the beatings and going home to lick our wounds. Each successive beat-down making us more timid and more isolated. New generations raised more and more to accept it, to believe in the lies. A nation of sheeple, unwilling to risk, too afraid to fight it. We have been divided and conquered, we are living under occupation and scrabbling about like dogs fighting over table scraps.

If we, and by that I mean the common citizenry, are to regain any control over the direction that the ship sails; as a group we have to storm the wheelhouse and start steering it. Or, we can just abandon ship and go live on our own little islands and do the best we can with what and who we've got. I'm sure when the ship finds us living our peaceful little lives, they'll just leave us alone and let us be... us and our flying pigs.

 

We can see your care.

But we can rise above the battlefield and gain a perspective that is not being overwhelmed by trench warfare, gain intelligence about the lay of the land so that you can see your way to best advantage. Don't take sides, let your answer be yes or no.

It does seem intuitive that something dramatically overt should occur.

However;

Gravity, intention, is the weakest of the forces, but it choreographs the largest events. Our intent is the gravity around which the events of our lives coalesce. The field effect that I am speaking of is subtle but it becomes more and more observable with consistent application.

If I may, "great men do not so much great things as great things happen around them." It works best when our hand is only lightly on the tiller. Reality
supports its' constituents so in truth there is nothing needs to be done. Now this is not to be confused with do nothing, do what you will, but apprehending goodness is much like trying to capture a mosquito or a gnat, with your hand, out of midair. Such an insignificant creature that the motion of your hand approaching the insect causes enough air disturbance to blow it away from your hand, and the stronger you grab at it the more difficult it is to apprehend. Goodness is the result of a vibrational radiance, you can't "take it" from the world.

 

Thank you thedope. I appreciate you. :sunny:

Perhaps it is my continuing struggle with patience that is evident. Or maybe my struggle to "change what I can, accept what I can't, and know the difference between the two."

But I don't believe we have much more time for patience. And I have witnessed smaller groups living according to the kind of tenets you and I often find ourselves in agreement on get rolled over and destroyed by others willing to do harm for their own gain. There was a time that I was a soldier and found myself participating in that very destruction. I was a kid then, and it took me awhile to forgive myself and become thankful for the experience, to see that it helped form my perspective and began to unravel some of my early illusions. It also served to inform me of the resolve of many who exert control over others to maintain their positions, and the depths to which some will sink to do so.

I guess I don't feel comfortable with simply waiting for it to self-correct, especially with a gnawing feeling that the method for doing so will most likely not spare the majority.

 

I enjoy speaking with you. I don't suggest waiting. I suggested waiting for critical mass is the most un-compassionate thing you can do. The question remains how to focus to achieve the results you would like to see.
I think that best fidelity comes with frequency modulation as opposed to amplitude modulation, and from that perspective, infinite patience brings immediate results.

Frequency modulation establishes harmonic resonance in order to boost its' signal, whereas amplitude modulation is like trying to shout above everyone else, competing frequencies, and is much more prone to static interference.

You are absolutely right that the majority are not spared. The majority simply does not care beyond the quality of their own sensations, but all the same, it is not required that they do. Just as a fish lays a thousand eggs only a very small percentage will reach maturity, but of all those that do not, none are wasted, as they contribute to the overall energy fabric. A good way to regard the human body is as a communication device, and our communications are energetic exchanges, rather than good or bad jobs.

 

Much like music, a form of communication that I often use to express things that words cannot properly explain. And in that vein I suppose that, like any art form, it is the doing of it that encompasses the purpose, the means and the end. The expression itself. How it is received is subjective and beyond my own control, the best I can do is perform it.

I can see how applying that rationale to the question produces the answer: Be what I am and others who are inclined to harmonize with me will.

The rest is up to nature.

 

In this life, some will embrace us and some will not, no matter what we do.
I don't know if you've ever been with a person who teaches you are damned if you do and damned if you don't, but my ex-wife was an expert at it.

 

Lol. Ditto. My mom was pretty good at it too...

 

Not much to add ,except that this is one of the most productive threads I have seen. Some will read and understand--some will want to know how big the average male member happens to be. So it goes.

 

I will add this: The conditions as delineated in the previous posts are understood. I think they have come about in the following manner: Stage one- humans become bi-pedal following our biological ,evolutionary imperative.
Stage two-humans learn over time that flight is not always necessary to sustain life in a hard world. By using stout pieces of wood,rocks or other hard materials they can gain greater access to existing sustenance. Leaders emerge.
Stage three-humans learn that these self -same materials enable them to not only improve their chances for obtaining sustenance, but can also strike fear into their fellow tribesmen ,and enable them to take what they have, to claim as their own. =THE BEGINNING. Leaders emerge.
Stage four-They now are able to understand that not only can they take from their fellow tribesmen,they can now over run,conquer and take away the "valuables"from other tribes near their own. Hierarchies form according to strength and ability with their newfound power within their tribe/s. Leaders emerge.
Stage five-the great migrations begin from the motherland,as weapons and knowledge of their power strengthens and more tribes begin to interact. War and the refinements of it commence. Some farming is undertaken.Leaders emerge.

Stage six-Most of the world is now populated and in concert with the inexorable spread of the tribes,weapons and their uses are now well established and accepted as a matter of course in human interaction and are used to obtain power and to keep it.Leaders emerge.

Stage seven- is very like stages four ,five and six. Natural progression. Empires form,empires fall, transportation enables travel worldwide and tribes improve methods of subjugation by dint of weapon improvement.Industrial revolution starts ,proceeds,and goes off track.Leaders always emerge and now become the fabled 2 % we know are there. Leaders emerge.

Stage eight-now weapons are massive, being able to potentially end the lives of all existing tribes,therefore the one example of them being used is enough warning that to use them extensively would be catastrophic. Some tribes may not care or may not understand this.Leaders emerge.

Some of these stages overlap,for example the primitives living in deep jungles using age old methods of dominance gathering sustenance,and in other hidden places.It's apparent in the so-called "modern" societies as we see in the countries of the middle east--today as we see in Syria, where weapons are being brought to bear on citizens that are weary of living under those that operate under stage three. Leaders will emerge.

Now here we are in this country,having reached this point with an idea that we have inalienable rights to life ,liberty and the pursuit of happiness. At least we ordinary citizens do. A grand and wonderfull idea that grew out of the mouth of weapons and often peacefull tribesmen and women in attempts to perfect these ideals. Many have fallen,but I believe that many will stand in the near(?) future to keep us safe in the notion that the pursuit of life,liberty and the pursuit happiness is worth keeping,even as there are those(as mentioned in previous posts)are now even attempting to usurp them. Leaders will emerge.



Now,my main point has to be that we the citizens, cannot revert to previous stages I mentioned,because arrayed against us is everything from the H-bomb to the military forces to the cop in the street. We have to use the same tactic as they are now using against us----paper. Paper? Yes. They write and enact laws against us -paper.Are you fucken nuts ,scratcho? No--well maybe. The only remedy for their usurpation is the ballot. The ballot? It's our paper,given to us in the founding document. It might sound weak--but unless we use what has been given us--it is only going to go from bad to worse to worst. Like the hologram in THX-1138 said--"it happened so slowly,that most men didn't even know it happened." Leaders will emerge.

Not to ever say that stage three is out of the question --if the government no longer suits the needs of the people. LEADERS WILL EMERGE.

 

Adapt.

 

It's so easy though for politicians to say that by asking all people to live with less we are somehow oppressing them like communists.

I just read today that China is going to replace the U.S. as the number 1 economy in 2016. After reading up on China I must say it's sad that we partner so much with them. And now that they are going to overpass us it just shows where greed and oppression lead.

Anyways I was also thinking today how disconnected the youth are these days because of gadgets and all that. I mean I was thinking why don't we young people organize and unite like the 60's youth did. And I think it's cuz we're all more isolated and treat it like it's normal. Just be isolated and talk about yourself on Facebook or w/e to feel special. I wanna be able to get together with others and organize. I'd love to be apart of that. But noone seems to have the enthusiasm and the rebellious spirit I have. I get crazy looks when I get all reved up and talking about doing something with my friends. It's like everyone laughs and says "what's the point." I almost feel like the point should be expression for the sake of it! If change doesn't happen then at least people can get their shit off their chests! But true expression is more than just typing stuff online. It should be a ritual of sorts with art and music and dance. I know I sound like a damn hippie right now lol.. I think I mightve been one in a past life.

 

Yes, but adapt to what?

 

The environment in which you live.

 

What if I live in an unpleasant environment and I find that those around me have adapted to it and been co-opted by it so that their adapting is actually self defeating or runs contrary to their own personal interests?

 

Isn't that what Bush said about global warming? Adapt. Don't address it--just adapt.Kinda like his advice after 9-11----go shopping. Guess he meant go shopping for some skin protection # 50.

 

Then you should focus on changing "your" environment, not everyone else's to suit you.

 

I'm not sure how to take that. It seems as if you're implying that I have advocated others changing to suit me, which I don't believe is the case. And in a shared environment, "mine" is also "yours", so I'm a little befuddled as to the point you are making.