Space Exploration and Social Distress

Whitey on the Moon by Gil Scot-Heron


Dear President Obama, and Administration,

It is just plain wrong! to spend so much on space exploration in the face of so many problems—so many suffering people—here on planet Earth.

Additionally, all space exploration which is geared toward national dominance is fundamentally anathema to the goal of peace.

Attitudes and behaviors that are rooted in dominance ought to be discarded and go along with full apologies to the afflicted (which includes everyone.)

Thank you for seriously considering my comments, and for taking them to heart.

Yours Truly, Berd

Words about the World

I think that the concept of unfettered capitalism lends itself to violence, ranging from household violence, to workplace violence, to community violence, to the violence that is expressed between nations - as well as all other types of violence.

So long as it is considered socially acceptable for one person to put down another, then there will probably always be those amongst us whom will be willing to engage in unscrupulous (i.e. harmful) activities and behaviors (like, for example, killing, cheating, lying, stealing, greediness, exploitation, and dealing in fear and cruelty,) which are geared toward the purpose of personal gain and maintaining power over others.

The above is adapted from a statement written this past January. It was about the Bohemian Grove, the Cremation of Care Ceremony, and a missing child named Lindsey Baum.

That's here.

Berd

Written on the Sky

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/sets/72157622709784169/

Help us love even those who hate us; so we can change the world. - Cesar Chavez

Gifts of Being Human

Caring and Consciousness - Two Gifts of Being Human

Cultural Transformation

I have posted this before here, but I am posting it again, because I have been thinking about this quote recently.

Here's another MLK quote that I like:

We must accept finite disappointment,
but we must never lose infinite hope.

– Martin Luther King Jr.

see photo larger: Cultural Transformation Shift

Earth Shaking Transformation

I was alerted to this great quote by Rob Brezsny's excellent weekly newsletter. freewillastrology.com

"At this point in history, the most radical, pervasive, and earth-shaking transformation would occur simply if everybody truly evolved to a mature, rational, and responsible ego, capable of freely participating in the open exchange of mutual self-esteem. Then, there would be a real New Age." -Ken Wilber

I love the idea of all of humanity learning to live alongside each other, the idea of all human beings learning to live alongside each other in peace and harmony. Instead of engaging in destructive competition over resources and in order to "get ahead" of each other—instead of striving for dominance, and instead of putting each other down—we can work to lift each other up, we can work with each other to rise up with each other for the benefit of all.

Now we have a world that is largely dominated by the singular push for economic self-interest - the financial bottomline. But another way is possible. Imagine it. Imagine all of humanity working in unison for a common and meaningful purpose—an uplifting purpose (e.g. to put an end to hurtful and degrading socio-political-economic systems.) We can strive for truth, for peace, for justice, for nonviolence, for equality, equitableness, equity, for sustainability, and for an end to oppression, and an end to destructive economic systems. Yes we can. We can make it happen.

The harm that is being done to ourselves, to each other, and to this beautiful planet Earth that we call home—is unnecessary. It is unnecessary to do harm. We, as human beings, have the potential to live in ways that actually make the Earth a better place to live. Right now, our socio-political-economic systems do a lot of harm. But it doesn't need to be this way. Another world is possible. Another way is possible: a way of peace, truth, justice, compassion, kindness, cooperation, and harmony between humanity and itself, and between humanity and the rest of the world.

view larger: Earth-Shaking Transformation | Open Exchange of Mutual Self-Esteem

If there is to be any peace...

If there is to be any peace, it will come through being, not having. - Henry Miller

We Face a Stark Choice

Vandana Shiva (Founder of Navdanya):

"Regulating by carbon trading is like fiddling as Rome burns. Governments and the UN should impose a carbon tax on corporations, both for production - wherever their facilities are located - and for transport, which the Kyoto Protocol does not account for directly. Incentives for renewable energy are also essential. We face a stark choice: we can destroy the conditions for human life on the planet by clinging to 'free-market' fundamentalism, or we can secure our future by bringing commerce within the laws of ecological sustainability and social justice." [emphasis added]

How can I live in a way that is truly happy, secure, and peaceful when I know that the ways of human societies are ruining the conditions for human life on Earth and dooming future generations to poverty?

...Earth democracy...transition...put nature first...

...respect and protect wilderness...nurture broken ecosystems, repair them, bring them back to health...restore ecological and economic balance...

Vandana Shiva scheduled to speak in Olympia, October 15: Vandana Shiva visit to Olympia, Washington

Words

Some words. You can consider it a poem if you would like to... Word - Word them up:

calm

joyful

peaceful

resolute

dignified

It's a work in progress. But I just wanted to get it down. To be utterly revealing, the topic is branding for the movement for peace and justice and nonviolence (and resistance to: the corruption and tyrannies of power, and the (destructiveness to the planet, to ecosystems, to societies and individuals - of the) violent corporatist crusade for dominance.) It is to establish a mental banner, a frame of sorts, for those who are engaged in the struggle. I am struggling to create a better world, a sane and sustainable society that respects and serves humanity, all life, and the Earth.

please join me

[Of course, the movement would need to consent to such a (mental - or spiritual) banner...]
updated 14:17 Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Daily Wisdom from The Dalai Lama

I regularly read from a book of daily wisdom that is composed of quotes from HHDL. I want to share today's. It's about Karma, and Cause and Effect:

July 29thOne of the characteristics of karmic theory is that there is a definite, commensurate relationship between cause and effect. There is no way that negative actions or unwholesome deeds can result in joy and happiness. Joy and happiness, by definition, are the results or fruits of wholesome actions. So from that point of view, it is possible for us to admire not so much the immediate action, but the real causes of joy.
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

from The Path to Tranquility, compiled and edited by Renuka Singh