So ... what is happening?
Well, I am genuinely of the opinion that humans are too crowded in cities, and live lifestyles that are far too stressful - largely as a result of materialism (e.g., wanting that extra room on their house, or what boils down to "keeping up with the Joneses" - getting the latest fad, whether it is an i-something or other, or gold leaf on the chariot, or a fresh fig leaf arranged strategically ... ). Interestingly, I came across a post on this topic on the Crystalinks website recently - see here. I consider the work of John Calhoun (who studied the effects of overpopulation/crowding on rats, and apparently developed a term "behavioural sink" to cover the effects of social density) to be fairly self evident, actually - I know how I am affected by living in cities, and I have seen how others also deteriorate under circumstances where they cannot get adequate contact with real nature, or an adequate sense of personal, psychological space [1]. (See my post on forest bathing.)
Is that what has caused or contributed to this? Or is it social disadvantage, as some initially claimed? Or is it simple criminality?
Here are a few links for you to read and contemplate, and maybe even make up your own mind, before you read my opinion :)
http://www.theage.com.au/world/london-riots-spread-as-police-lose-control-20110809-1ijmm.html#ixzz1UUuiXSE1
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/frustrated-and-angry-britains-youth-have-turned-on-their-own-20110809-1ikz8.html
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/the-battles-of-britain-20110809-1ikrh.html
http://www.theage.com.au/world/burning-issues-20110812-1iqu7.html
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/london-riots-block-on-social-networking-considered-20110812-1ipim.html
* Sits patiently and taps fingers lightly while audience reads *
then ...
OK, now back to me :)
I think there are levels within levels here.
On an immediate, superficial level, this is just wanton, rampant criminality. The Youtube clip of a woman claimed to be berating unseen rioters would certainly seem to sum up the views of those who would prefer to see civil disobedience have a rights theme (and I would tend to put myself in that category, I must say, although I often find there is a need for more than just making a lot of noise on a street to accomplish change). This level is the one that those taking part are aware of, and I think a distressingly large portion - probably the majority - is simply "me, me, me", with not even rudimentary consideration of the consequences for themselves or others of their actions. It is immature, unaware ... words fail to describe it.
So, before I move on to the other levels, what can one do about this? Well, as a few suggestions:
- practice tonglen to replace the selfishness with awareness and consideration, the immaturity (there was a 12 year old child claiming this was getting some taxes back - she had never paid a cent of taxes on her life!) with consideration of others and awareness of the benefits of collaboration, and the self centeredness with a broadened awareness;
- psychically clear the negative energies that are selfishness and self centeredness (immaturity is just a state of being, not inherently negative - and, to some extent, that is also the case with selfishness and self centeredness, where a small amount helps one to look after oneself appropriately);
- clear any negative energy blocking communication between the rioters and their Higher Selves and guides, and send positive energy (like doing absent healing) to those trying to work directly with the rioters (i.e. the aforementioned Higher Selves and guides);
- if you have enough psychic awareness, create psychic protection around the people and places affected or potentially affected by the rioters (if you don't have enough psychic perception to do this directly, ask your guides to direct it appropriately, INCLUDING DIRECTING ANYTHING OF YOURS WHICH COULD BE HARMFUL AWAY);
- send healing to those who have been affected, whether directly (by being there) or indirectly (by reading about the events) by the riots;
- if you use any of the social networks, perhaps speak out against events when they are happening (see here).
Oh, by the way, there are a few other places and events that you could do work to help - such as here, or here.
** Waits patiently while Readers avail themselves of the opportunity to Do More Good Work **
Now, let's take a step back and look at some of the broader issues which could be relevant here.
First off, excessive materialism. Ultimately, you will only steal a set of shoes if you think having the shoes is somehow "good" - these events are certainly not about survival, they're not like the food riots which have taken place recently elsewhere in response to the price of food in some countries becoming unaffordable (and that is the price of staple - meaning essential for life - foods, not the price of a fast food burger).
This attitude occurs in many areas of life, in many ways - including the "extra room on the house" attitude that I apparently flippantly mentioned, and the desire for the latest fads and fashions. If you have indulged in those energies, you have contributed - albeit to a small extent - to the energies that were manifested in the riots.
That may be the case with other energies as well. In my case, I have been finding it extremely difficult to make progress on my spiritual and psychic goals in life, and my frustration - and stress from other events in life - could easily have contributed to the events over on the other side of the globe.
So ... I have an "opportunity" for personal growth, as does every single person who COULD have contributed to those events. Have you upgraded your phone because you wanted to have the latest version? Have you changed clothes because you were bored with them? You could have contributed to the London riots.
Some commentators have talked of the need to balance rights with responsibilities. I suspect they may be right, but as a member of several minorities, I am also very much aware of the need for more equity and social justice in society, so we still need a lot more advocating for rights!
Now, let's take yet another step back, and look at the state of the planet. Quite a few people have made comments (in books, blogs, conversations, etc) that this planet is in the phase of the (Hindu) evolutionary cycle known as Kali Yuga - the Iron Age, or the Age of Vice. This is phase when the world is suffering greatly, until people on it decide that they have had enough, and improve the energy and conditions of the planet, until it becomes a Golden Age where everyone is enlightened, considerate, caring, etc (maybe read Thea Alexander's "2150" [pub. Warner Books, 1976; first pub. Macro Books, 1971; ISBN 0 446 33057 6) if you want an idea of what this sort of world could be like).
How do we get there?
Well, I think we need to
- get rid of the bad; and
- have more of the good.
As a final point, please consider genuinely whether you would have been any different to the looters if you had experienced their lives. I'm being told my guides that the overwhelming majority of my readers would have behaved differently (i.e. better), but not all ...
Love, light, hugs and blessings
Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")
Notes:
- Mind you, some people actually flourish or even seem to need lots of people around them ...
- Rescue and clearing posts include those here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
- Key psychic health posts include here, and here.
Tags: society, personal responsibility, personal characteristics, irresponsibility, maturity, immaturity, psychic health,
First published: Laugadagr, 13th August, 2011
Last edited: Saturday, 13th August, 2011
