WSJ printed a pity article today about the inner workings of Goldman Sach's 'partner's' circle and woe are they who will get demoted and become psychologically traumatized. The average salary is $200K annum and partner's make millions per year in bonuses. If you are 'demoted', you lose your bonus. If you are still 'popular', you will be told secretly and given the option for other company roles as non-partner or to have the choice to find another position and exit quietly. If you are not- well, surprise or you might be completely let go. Here's the catch- the psychological justification is to support the newest, hungriest, most profit returning 'talent'- however, they want high turnover to keep things 'fresh'. So each new 'inner' circle is supposed to be decided every 1 to 2 years, by an existing fraction of the current 'inner' circle. Thus, spreadout all over, people like Senator Corzine, Treasury Sec's Rubin and Paulson--- all former 'partners'.
However, think about it-- each 'inner' circle, selects the next inner circle.. etc. Has anyone noticed how in human pack mentality- conformity and group justification, not individuality or leadership, becomes the club's unwritten rules for inner acceptance? It has become the new feudalism selection process-- beyond marriage and chivalry, selling one's soul to the corporate ladder with a little nepotistic assistance seems the way to the privileged life. A new system of 'residency' that will secure the future of the money chain- the same one the general public has been trained to 'invest into', to 'trust', to 'bank with' and to build 'retirement funds' with. The same one the US government 'bailed out' to save the economy with.
Then they breed that trained neo-consciousness without their souls- and move into politics, other executive positions and create new corporations in the likeness and image of their first. They have learned to know one way of life, ‘live to make money’, and cannot step outside the boundaries into the unknown as their lives are conditioned and conditionally lived to served the corporate profit turns.
and many wonder why the system is such a mess—
So how does one help these people find a soul? Do they even want to feel anymore? Have they ever tasted water from a natural stream, watched animals at play outside of a zoo or video, ever felt the joy of completing a task of creative endeavor of their own making? Will they be given a chance to understand or experience the depths of all life has to offer?
14 September 2010
30 August 2010
self-imprisoned by guilt
In my travels and curious nature, I have been fortunate to meet many types of people from all walks of life. Some embrace me, some reject me--- there are those who become acquaintances, some become life long friends and others are friends of the moment. Each has a story to tell--- each shares a moment of 'human-ness' with me, as I do with them. Interestingly, there are many who seek to speak to me for the sanity of knowing a different life from theirs, as each of us seem to do. However, the most unusual to me, are those in such blessed condition of fortunes, that they carry guilt within their hearts as heavy as the gold they store.
Many of those I've met with such guilt, are educated very well, cultured, diverse in talents and have experienced things in life that only a few privileged souls will ever see. They have dined with billionaires and dignitaries, seen seven or more wonders of the world and ridden or slept in the most luxurious creations of human imagination. Yet, they have deep hearts and generosity, willing to care for more than they are able to handle, eventually, forgetting their own selves in the process. Yet, they still cry of their emptiness, sadness--- often in therapy or medicated for various disorders associated with depression. Their hands are soft and pedicured, while their backs remain youthful from lack of hard labour and massages to stimulate the need for youth.
In sadness, vision bears only what their consciousness chooses to see as the fear of the unknown and their emptiness, a great darkness, becomes their own enemy. The things taught of how they 'should be' from private schools and etiquette lessons anchor their spirits into a restrain they know not how to control. In their need to meet the demands of their families and social positions, they become employed or shown in circles that demand pristine appearance and proof of worthiness over genuine humanitarian out letting. Then a wanton piece deep within their soul sparks the sense of loneliness realized as their circle of friends define their daily life through expectations of their exterior---- not their inner selves. Suddenly a gripping guilt takes over within them and they cannot see their way---
All the years of pretenses and social graces were never able to explain to them their spiritual awakening or the possibility of a connectedness to something greater than the human physical form. Suddenly the cocktail dresses and the tuxedos, or the million dollar autos and multimillion dollar mansions and parties seem less meaningful and more transient than ever. Their indulgences become satiated for a moment when it is noticed that the other humans in their circle are not truly connected in a soulful manner to them... it is a shallow friendship at best.
It is here that guilt sets in and the socialite suddenly becomes the recluse. These changes in heart are not always found at the sight of abandoned hungry children in the outposts of barren and warring lands... it is the realization of an empty disconnection that might last forever. It is when they find their soul.
However, as much as they struggle, the temptation to blind their own perception with distractions of their social sets remain. The need to remain close to their material indulgences forces a grappling with their ethics and soul. They cannot find way to let go of those golden walls that have shielded them for so long. Guilt becomes their mainstay and their right of reason... and their despair.
I cannot express empathy but have much sympathy for friends who feel this despair. Often, those of us without such fortunes are quick to turn on them for their shallowness--- yet they know no other, having been taught only this way. For lack of their spiritual awareness all their lives, this is the best they can do--- choose to become 'lost' while listening to the first disturbances within their soul. Theirs, is a prison within and their deity unknown to them, is merely a boundary defined by guilt-- not by celebration and peace. Perhaps this is their lesson in this lifetime. Perhaps it is something reaching out to help them. Perhaps it is the universe asking the fortunate to awaken to the needs of the unfortunate.
Regardless, all of these remain signs of desires to seek balance in every level--- signs of a universal consciousness that is reaching out to all minds and corners--- and in the guilt of some there is hope for others, as eyes open to new experiences and ways...
Many of those I've met with such guilt, are educated very well, cultured, diverse in talents and have experienced things in life that only a few privileged souls will ever see. They have dined with billionaires and dignitaries, seen seven or more wonders of the world and ridden or slept in the most luxurious creations of human imagination. Yet, they have deep hearts and generosity, willing to care for more than they are able to handle, eventually, forgetting their own selves in the process. Yet, they still cry of their emptiness, sadness--- often in therapy or medicated for various disorders associated with depression. Their hands are soft and pedicured, while their backs remain youthful from lack of hard labour and massages to stimulate the need for youth.
In sadness, vision bears only what their consciousness chooses to see as the fear of the unknown and their emptiness, a great darkness, becomes their own enemy. The things taught of how they 'should be' from private schools and etiquette lessons anchor their spirits into a restrain they know not how to control. In their need to meet the demands of their families and social positions, they become employed or shown in circles that demand pristine appearance and proof of worthiness over genuine humanitarian out letting. Then a wanton piece deep within their soul sparks the sense of loneliness realized as their circle of friends define their daily life through expectations of their exterior---- not their inner selves. Suddenly a gripping guilt takes over within them and they cannot see their way---
All the years of pretenses and social graces were never able to explain to them their spiritual awakening or the possibility of a connectedness to something greater than the human physical form. Suddenly the cocktail dresses and the tuxedos, or the million dollar autos and multimillion dollar mansions and parties seem less meaningful and more transient than ever. Their indulgences become satiated for a moment when it is noticed that the other humans in their circle are not truly connected in a soulful manner to them... it is a shallow friendship at best.
It is here that guilt sets in and the socialite suddenly becomes the recluse. These changes in heart are not always found at the sight of abandoned hungry children in the outposts of barren and warring lands... it is the realization of an empty disconnection that might last forever. It is when they find their soul.
However, as much as they struggle, the temptation to blind their own perception with distractions of their social sets remain. The need to remain close to their material indulgences forces a grappling with their ethics and soul. They cannot find way to let go of those golden walls that have shielded them for so long. Guilt becomes their mainstay and their right of reason... and their despair.
I cannot express empathy but have much sympathy for friends who feel this despair. Often, those of us without such fortunes are quick to turn on them for their shallowness--- yet they know no other, having been taught only this way. For lack of their spiritual awareness all their lives, this is the best they can do--- choose to become 'lost' while listening to the first disturbances within their soul. Theirs, is a prison within and their deity unknown to them, is merely a boundary defined by guilt-- not by celebration and peace. Perhaps this is their lesson in this lifetime. Perhaps it is something reaching out to help them. Perhaps it is the universe asking the fortunate to awaken to the needs of the unfortunate.
Regardless, all of these remain signs of desires to seek balance in every level--- signs of a universal consciousness that is reaching out to all minds and corners--- and in the guilt of some there is hope for others, as eyes open to new experiences and ways...
24 June 2010
a thought for the moment...
To think of places considered undeveloped or lost in the sense of current civilization, many often imagine ruins and third world countries full of destitute and hungry souls. One is taught by the media and conditioning to envision the depravity while appreciating the fortune of a full belly.
When traveling to such places, ofttimes, it is not the vision of the hunger and lack of materialism seen in the faces of the people. Often, it is the determination of life and the satisfaction of accomplishing each day in the fulfillment of living that day. When speaking to the children and young adults that have been exposed to western culture (USA and Europe) -- they have questions about giant buildings, man-made giant machines and the soul-less mass produced creations of large companies. They were once convinced to associate these things with wealth and satisfaction in life. Most of these things are very distant and removed from them, merely some physical man-made item that might someday be accessible or useful. These things do not have pet names, imaginary personas and are not quite an absolute necessity of their existence. Yet in continued conversation, one learns their souls are full, their lungs breathe air deeply and their hearts are happy.
Strolling around Manhattan in New York City, USA, today, I made a different observation. Every material creation is available within a few blocks. Every natural item, even food, is repositioned or recreated to be made into some form of visual enticement, advertising it as an 'additionally' beneficial item, whether necessary or not. Everything is for sale-- and everything has a price tag. There is nothing truly priceless, not even people or souls.
Here, I saw a number of souls half-full or with spaces, hearts in flux or worry and many smiles with emptiness. And here I observed many cars with pet names, computers with personas and multi-media phones taking precedence over basic neighborly greetings or having dinner as a family. There were also many with allergy pills, inhalers for COPD and many in a rush to swallow food without chewing, let alone taking the time to breathe while speaking on a phone. The conversation often heard was about lack of companionship, lack of time, lack of money. There were too many dreaming and wishing interest in other places in the world with cultures who demanded respecting time to live and experience life.
We are a forgetful lot--- and I wonder if I will know when I have 'enough' for satisfaction in the place I happen to be, instead of longing for what is elsewhere in a foreign land?
When traveling to such places, ofttimes, it is not the vision of the hunger and lack of materialism seen in the faces of the people. Often, it is the determination of life and the satisfaction of accomplishing each day in the fulfillment of living that day. When speaking to the children and young adults that have been exposed to western culture (USA and Europe) -- they have questions about giant buildings, man-made giant machines and the soul-less mass produced creations of large companies. They were once convinced to associate these things with wealth and satisfaction in life. Most of these things are very distant and removed from them, merely some physical man-made item that might someday be accessible or useful. These things do not have pet names, imaginary personas and are not quite an absolute necessity of their existence. Yet in continued conversation, one learns their souls are full, their lungs breathe air deeply and their hearts are happy.
Strolling around Manhattan in New York City, USA, today, I made a different observation. Every material creation is available within a few blocks. Every natural item, even food, is repositioned or recreated to be made into some form of visual enticement, advertising it as an 'additionally' beneficial item, whether necessary or not. Everything is for sale-- and everything has a price tag. There is nothing truly priceless, not even people or souls.
Here, I saw a number of souls half-full or with spaces, hearts in flux or worry and many smiles with emptiness. And here I observed many cars with pet names, computers with personas and multi-media phones taking precedence over basic neighborly greetings or having dinner as a family. There were also many with allergy pills, inhalers for COPD and many in a rush to swallow food without chewing, let alone taking the time to breathe while speaking on a phone. The conversation often heard was about lack of companionship, lack of time, lack of money. There were too many dreaming and wishing interest in other places in the world with cultures who demanded respecting time to live and experience life.
We are a forgetful lot--- and I wonder if I will know when I have 'enough' for satisfaction in the place I happen to be, instead of longing for what is elsewhere in a foreign land?
10 May 2010
because we are unfulfilled, we covet; because we covet, we remain unfulfilled
Previously there have been posts about the practice of 'coveting'. And mention on the lack of fulfillment in life. Now, perhaps it is time to merge the thoughts and observe:
Because we are unfulfilled (ourselves), we covet. Because we covet, we remain unfulfilled.
What does this mean?
In olden days humans found a glory in achieving a purpose, a craft, a project. Completion of projects, like the cyclical nature of seasons, the rhythm of the waters, the constant exchange of life and death--- made sense to us. Finding a talent to share, overcoming an obstacle (through peaceful or antagonistic means), meant a solution. A finality. A fulfillment.
Through each fulfillment, we would rise in wonder of the gifts bestowed upon us to achieve such things. We could be grateful for the presence of the universe and still have wonderment at the lights of Aurora Borealis or a shooting star. Life was 'solvable' but still a mystery that we would take moments to acknowledge. After several fulfilling moments would pass, we would learn discovery of self, communing with the body and spirit within the mind that grew with each learned event. We appreciated life around us as each had a purpose and talent to share with us. When enough was fulfilled, our bodies would pass on with a contented spirit and mind--- knowing our life purposes was completed.
Then came the world of chaos, wars, modernism, industrialism, capitalism, socialism--- and every purported great social model to theoretically manage large populations and economies to sustain them. Too antiquated were the ideas of bartering, sharing with neighbors, dining communally and exchanging talents among friends to live and survive. Slowly being edged out, were the underlying qualities breeding honor, respect, pride and love.
Instead, overcome with the notions of competition for self gain and material achievements, whether ambitiously crafted by oneself, or purchased at the highest prices from a master. Each individual has been sold the idea of becoming a grandeur royal, or, at least to showcase material possessions in the style of the olden kings and queens. The larger mansions, the grandiose furnishings, the automobiles--- to look great in finery, rather than to be spiritually fulfilled, became the marketed objective. After all, we were taught-- it is good to spend money to purchase things for the greater of the economy! Why should we waste time preparing food, building our own dream homes, creating our own furniture-- if we can buy what someone else made? Why should we not 'covet' our neighbor's styles and designs, why should we consider being truly individual and designing our own? After all, to be too 'individual' might mean rejection and abandonment--- becoming, unpopular and ousted.
How have we come to this? What happened to the treasuring of our uniqueness? Why is it so easy to forget we are individual gifts, each with purpose, each with acceptance for singular qualities--- that the universe requires us to explore?
It is important to note, some, the rare few, do still find fulfillment in modern times, but it is indeed becoming more sparse a reality. So many lost remain so, revolving in endless growing hours of working to attain enough money to be one of the desired. A never ending cycle of make and spend, always compared and comparing, always empty, always wondering if they have value.
If only we could love those things within ourselves enough again. If only, we would find fulfillment in strength within, without need to covet or without need to desire to be defined by others.
Because we are unfulfilled (ourselves), we covet. Because we covet, we remain unfulfilled.
What does this mean?
In olden days humans found a glory in achieving a purpose, a craft, a project. Completion of projects, like the cyclical nature of seasons, the rhythm of the waters, the constant exchange of life and death--- made sense to us. Finding a talent to share, overcoming an obstacle (through peaceful or antagonistic means), meant a solution. A finality. A fulfillment.
Through each fulfillment, we would rise in wonder of the gifts bestowed upon us to achieve such things. We could be grateful for the presence of the universe and still have wonderment at the lights of Aurora Borealis or a shooting star. Life was 'solvable' but still a mystery that we would take moments to acknowledge. After several fulfilling moments would pass, we would learn discovery of self, communing with the body and spirit within the mind that grew with each learned event. We appreciated life around us as each had a purpose and talent to share with us. When enough was fulfilled, our bodies would pass on with a contented spirit and mind--- knowing our life purposes was completed.
Then came the world of chaos, wars, modernism, industrialism, capitalism, socialism--- and every purported great social model to theoretically manage large populations and economies to sustain them. Too antiquated were the ideas of bartering, sharing with neighbors, dining communally and exchanging talents among friends to live and survive. Slowly being edged out, were the underlying qualities breeding honor, respect, pride and love.
Instead, overcome with the notions of competition for self gain and material achievements, whether ambitiously crafted by oneself, or purchased at the highest prices from a master. Each individual has been sold the idea of becoming a grandeur royal, or, at least to showcase material possessions in the style of the olden kings and queens. The larger mansions, the grandiose furnishings, the automobiles--- to look great in finery, rather than to be spiritually fulfilled, became the marketed objective. After all, we were taught-- it is good to spend money to purchase things for the greater of the economy! Why should we waste time preparing food, building our own dream homes, creating our own furniture-- if we can buy what someone else made? Why should we not 'covet' our neighbor's styles and designs, why should we consider being truly individual and designing our own? After all, to be too 'individual' might mean rejection and abandonment--- becoming, unpopular and ousted.
How have we come to this? What happened to the treasuring of our uniqueness? Why is it so easy to forget we are individual gifts, each with purpose, each with acceptance for singular qualities--- that the universe requires us to explore?
It is important to note, some, the rare few, do still find fulfillment in modern times, but it is indeed becoming more sparse a reality. So many lost remain so, revolving in endless growing hours of working to attain enough money to be one of the desired. A never ending cycle of make and spend, always compared and comparing, always empty, always wondering if they have value.
If only we could love those things within ourselves enough again. If only, we would find fulfillment in strength within, without need to covet or without need to desire to be defined by others.
13 April 2010
walking in a dual path
The first thing to question is, are we spiritual humans in physical form, or spirits temporarily captured in human physical form?
The next thing to ask is, do we recognize the spiritual self may not be a singular individual entity? That it actually may be connected to the greater universe?
If the above is accepted and known-- and exercised -- it could be possible to tap into something much more than this world of houses, cars, bills, society, work and technology. But it seems it can be also a burden, as so many of the great spiritual leaders lived outside of the norms of their society, answering to a different call. Our physical life, our societal demands, have besieged us with thoughts of expectations of the material kind. However, if we are destined to be spiritual messengers on a physical mission, how can the material values be of benefit when we are returned to the spiritual mission? What might the actual physical missions be?
I often wonder this as I explore the multiple, repetitious history of mankind. We seem to have evolved physically to an extent, yet, spiritually, we doom ourselves to the same cycle of egoism, power wagers, material hoarding and continue to live with a behavioral attitude based on fear of scarcity (of food, of water, of warmth, of comparison, of companionship, of shelter, etc.) Why do we choose to forget the mistakes of our physical ancestors and defy the thought that life is a continuum of cyclical evolution of energy? What if in the idea of reincarnation, we are 'spiritual students' who are to repeat each cycle of life until becoming a complete 'senescent adult'? If so, how many cycles would it take for those of us who exist with our behavior in this world?
They say we cannot carry the material world with us, as much as the remains of the pyramids of the Egyptian Pharoahs have shown us. Those things made of matter remain in forms of matter. Our spirit might be considered a form of 'anti-matter' (though some sciences have suggested there might be a measureable 'quantifying' value of matter to the 'soul'). Even the children and the children's children will one day succumb to the impermanence of life and only carry the wonderful memories and experiences to the 'non-form' world of the spirit. What is it then that we should represent? Why is it that we exhaust so much in worry on hoarding values of the physical world?
The next thing to ask is, do we recognize the spiritual self may not be a singular individual entity? That it actually may be connected to the greater universe?
If the above is accepted and known-- and exercised -- it could be possible to tap into something much more than this world of houses, cars, bills, society, work and technology. But it seems it can be also a burden, as so many of the great spiritual leaders lived outside of the norms of their society, answering to a different call. Our physical life, our societal demands, have besieged us with thoughts of expectations of the material kind. However, if we are destined to be spiritual messengers on a physical mission, how can the material values be of benefit when we are returned to the spiritual mission? What might the actual physical missions be?
I often wonder this as I explore the multiple, repetitious history of mankind. We seem to have evolved physically to an extent, yet, spiritually, we doom ourselves to the same cycle of egoism, power wagers, material hoarding and continue to live with a behavioral attitude based on fear of scarcity (of food, of water, of warmth, of comparison, of companionship, of shelter, etc.) Why do we choose to forget the mistakes of our physical ancestors and defy the thought that life is a continuum of cyclical evolution of energy? What if in the idea of reincarnation, we are 'spiritual students' who are to repeat each cycle of life until becoming a complete 'senescent adult'? If so, how many cycles would it take for those of us who exist with our behavior in this world?
They say we cannot carry the material world with us, as much as the remains of the pyramids of the Egyptian Pharoahs have shown us. Those things made of matter remain in forms of matter. Our spirit might be considered a form of 'anti-matter' (though some sciences have suggested there might be a measureable 'quantifying' value of matter to the 'soul'). Even the children and the children's children will one day succumb to the impermanence of life and only carry the wonderful memories and experiences to the 'non-form' world of the spirit. What is it then that we should represent? Why is it that we exhaust so much in worry on hoarding values of the physical world?
27 March 2010
how can global peace be found outside without knowing peace inside?
Where has compassion and congeniality gone? Where is the truth of peaceable solutions and resolve? Where is there a moment of peace without a political or corporatized under current? When is 'enough' realized?
The modern “western” world of mass production, rapid transit and instantaneous services has brought about an air of convenience and personal convictions of desire. Dreams are made to not be broken, but to be made and outdone. Rewards are materialistic and spontaneity has become a norm. Conversation is restricted to the ‘new’ shortened language (as seemingly predicted by Orwell) in the form of SMS, email and informal slang--- of which, actual translation and interpretation of the person, becomes lost to overwhelming pushes of spam that divide our attention. Our sights become shorter in distance and the essence of origin and humility is forgotten to endless consumption without grace or gratefulness. All these ‘neo-philosophical commandments’, not for humanity or inner growth but rather, justified by the idea that we must forge human survival on profit and business.
In the midst of the ‘new order’, the medical annals continue to study the population’s increasingly disturbed symptoms in reaction to stress. It has been compared to ‘fright or flight’ syndrome. So many personal acquaintances are often speaking of how they ‘wish to get away’, ‘wish for another life’, ‘wish to be at another job’, ‘wish to be with someone else’, ‘wish to be someone else’. These are not necessarily ‘dreams’ to be fulfilled, but statements made as ordinary conversation. These are not wanton and needy persons, but rather, successful, well-to-do, competitive and ambitious people who state they love challenges and growth. They say they are grateful for their fortunate circumstances. Yet, they continue to feel amiss.
It is here I cannot help but wonder--- what is the state of their inner being they have not yet recognized the essence of the challenges, yet fortuitous karma they have been given? Perhaps in another life they suffered, endured and have been rewarded this time. Yet, in this ‘reward’, all the suffering forgotten, they long for more. They have been taught to run and move away from bad roommates in college, to separate from materially non-fulfilling relationships, to switch positions or companies from ‘bad boss syndromes’. Nothing is good enough, nothing is satisfying enough. Once is not enough. Life is not enough. Conversation is a ‘lost art’ and reality television or glamour gossip has replaced life with global conviction.
How fortunate we are, to afford to move or separate so easily? Some have become financially so ‘successful’ that they can buy their future away from negative fate itself. If they must face any discourse or anxiety, they need not face the challenge of truly communicating to find peace, but rather, can purchase ‘masker’ prescriptions or simply, ‘find another place to live’. Yet, unlike centuries past, we are able to move thousands of miles in a day with a little preparation, or, for the affluent, immediately if assistance is purchased. It seems some have become quite adept at ‘flight’ and live a constant state of ‘fright’ of conflict, ‘ugliness’, disagreeable terms or situations not to one’s pleasure.
Yet after the ‘flight’, the conflict does not seem to end. Instead, there is a continuous air of inner ‘non-security’, the fright. “Talk is cheap” is the mantra and conversation remains shallow at best.
I cannot but beg to ask, how is it the world has been ‘trained’ to emulate the neo-modern ‘western’ culture of spoils, in the quest of global peace? There is nothing wrong with seeking successes over ambition, but what of the inner balance that must so often be cast aside for the chance to seek glory in a material world. But what of those that do not remember their way to the inner world? Why has it become necessary to know the things of the 'convenience society' or of the 'rich and famous' to find self-worth?
How can peace be found or realized in such state?
The modern “western” world of mass production, rapid transit and instantaneous services has brought about an air of convenience and personal convictions of desire. Dreams are made to not be broken, but to be made and outdone. Rewards are materialistic and spontaneity has become a norm. Conversation is restricted to the ‘new’ shortened language (as seemingly predicted by Orwell) in the form of SMS, email and informal slang--- of which, actual translation and interpretation of the person, becomes lost to overwhelming pushes of spam that divide our attention. Our sights become shorter in distance and the essence of origin and humility is forgotten to endless consumption without grace or gratefulness. All these ‘neo-philosophical commandments’, not for humanity or inner growth but rather, justified by the idea that we must forge human survival on profit and business.
In the midst of the ‘new order’, the medical annals continue to study the population’s increasingly disturbed symptoms in reaction to stress. It has been compared to ‘fright or flight’ syndrome. So many personal acquaintances are often speaking of how they ‘wish to get away’, ‘wish for another life’, ‘wish to be at another job’, ‘wish to be with someone else’, ‘wish to be someone else’. These are not necessarily ‘dreams’ to be fulfilled, but statements made as ordinary conversation. These are not wanton and needy persons, but rather, successful, well-to-do, competitive and ambitious people who state they love challenges and growth. They say they are grateful for their fortunate circumstances. Yet, they continue to feel amiss.
It is here I cannot help but wonder--- what is the state of their inner being they have not yet recognized the essence of the challenges, yet fortuitous karma they have been given? Perhaps in another life they suffered, endured and have been rewarded this time. Yet, in this ‘reward’, all the suffering forgotten, they long for more. They have been taught to run and move away from bad roommates in college, to separate from materially non-fulfilling relationships, to switch positions or companies from ‘bad boss syndromes’. Nothing is good enough, nothing is satisfying enough. Once is not enough. Life is not enough. Conversation is a ‘lost art’ and reality television or glamour gossip has replaced life with global conviction.
How fortunate we are, to afford to move or separate so easily? Some have become financially so ‘successful’ that they can buy their future away from negative fate itself. If they must face any discourse or anxiety, they need not face the challenge of truly communicating to find peace, but rather, can purchase ‘masker’ prescriptions or simply, ‘find another place to live’. Yet, unlike centuries past, we are able to move thousands of miles in a day with a little preparation, or, for the affluent, immediately if assistance is purchased. It seems some have become quite adept at ‘flight’ and live a constant state of ‘fright’ of conflict, ‘ugliness’, disagreeable terms or situations not to one’s pleasure.
Yet after the ‘flight’, the conflict does not seem to end. Instead, there is a continuous air of inner ‘non-security’, the fright. “Talk is cheap” is the mantra and conversation remains shallow at best.
I cannot but beg to ask, how is it the world has been ‘trained’ to emulate the neo-modern ‘western’ culture of spoils, in the quest of global peace? There is nothing wrong with seeking successes over ambition, but what of the inner balance that must so often be cast aside for the chance to seek glory in a material world. But what of those that do not remember their way to the inner world? Why has it become necessary to know the things of the 'convenience society' or of the 'rich and famous' to find self-worth?
How can peace be found or realized in such state?
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