Humanity's Choice
“This is an ‘all-hands-on-deck-Spaceship-Earth’ moment… The Dharma, in all its simplicity, complexity, and universality, has never been so necessary for human and planetary flourishing.”
— Jon Kabat-Zinn (from the newly released 30th anniversary edition of Wherever You Go, There You Are.)
Dear Friends,
Every year, billions of dollars are spent making weapons smaller, more affordable, and more deadly. (The US defense budget alone was $773 billion last year.)
As technology advances, every year our capacity to kill one another increases.
But what is our budget for supporting more LOVE and COMPASSION in the world?
Show me that!
Killer drones that were once only available to world superpowers are becoming smaller and more affordable to people and rogue nations.
At some point, our ability to inflict harm increases so much that humanity really only has one choice: TO KNOW OURSELVES.
If you look at all the wars in the world, what is the unifying cause?
THE MIND.
Or maybe it is best to say “the unexamined mind.”
TODAY
In our digital world today with all the pings, podcasts, social media posts, and new Netflix series … we can do just about everything, BUT know ourselves.
We are informed, but not always at peace.
At the same time, interest and access to wisdom teachings and methods of healing are more widespread than ever.
As we enter the new year, we are in for a fascinating dance. We will be exploring this more in our Power of Presence Series (See below).
AWARENESS
The power of the heart somehow has to rise to the power of technology, and the work we do on ourselves is key.
Speaking to one of the top AI leaders recently on a call, he said, “I wish I could slow this down, but I can’t.” The pace of development is mind blowing.
Our only choice seems to be that our awareness rises to meet the times.
I am not sure if we can do it, and I am also not sure what other choice we have.
Blessings,
SOREN
THE POWER OF PRESENCE (By Donation)
January series on supporting a daily or regular mindfulness practice.
“The most important point to be made here is that as long as we remain egocentric beings, there shall always be sociopaths and psychopaths among us, who inevitably rise to authority driven by selfishness, greed, and apathy – who then capsize their entire sphere of influence despite the best intentions of all the rest of us. This perpetual cycle can only continue its descent until we undergo the spiritual and cultural transformation available by transmuting the egocentricity at its root.” – The Everyone Project
Heart's technology lies in the power of pure heart intention, silent prayer and loving-action.
"A single collective directed thought is all it takes to change the world" - Lynne Mctaggart