Content Warning
- the posts titled "for Sunday evening's meditation-clearing include
news links, which may be to news articles on distressing topics. Other
posts address issues related to conflict, violence & war, and
matters such as changing the personality of oppressors. As I work
through updating these posts,. I will try to add CWs here, but that will
take some time.
In case it is of interest or relevance, this post lists the themes I have identified after reviewing each week's events.
This post is continued at:
Post No. 746 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 22nd August, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, externally focused air (i.e., some thinking) is occurring, which is good, but it will need the flexibility of Water to lead to a good result;
(c) perception – or, as it used to be called, one’s public honour – is an unavoidable aspect of democracy. Sometimes, for the greater good, that means one must stand aside from what one knows one can do well, which relates to several situations in the world this week, ranging from “small” local to world impacting;
(d) abuse of power remains a problem, as does discrimination against anyone who is “different” from oneself in some way, and, even more concerningly, sometimes those two problems combine. Where abuses occur, those responsible, or responsible for hiding it, must occur - , which also relates to several situations in the world this week, ranging from “small” local to world impacting;
(e) the chooks of rhetoric against Muslims in the West is about to come home to roost in ways that the original speakers may not, in their stupidity and/or desire for power, have intended;
(f) “The real dividing line is not between Christianity and Islam, Sunni and Shia, East and West. It is between people who believe in coexistence, and those who don’t”, Tom Fletcher, Former UK Ambassador to Lebanon;
(g) it is important not to be blinded by one’s aims or attitudes: for instance, more French civilians died on D-Day in June 1944 than allied soldiers, and many of the indigenous people of the Pacific suffered under and fought the Japanese. In the West, there has been a history of media focusing on Western deaths. And it starts, in some ways, with the banishment of people to the “out crowd” in schools … ;
Post No. 741 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 15th August, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, we need more Æther (inspiration, spirituality) and Air (thought and communication), balanced by some inward-focused Earth for grounding;
(c) Turkey’s President Erdogan is doing so much damage that he needs to be added to the list of incarnates to be cleared – him, Putin, and a few others … and Australia’s negative example and influence also needs to be countered (again);
(d) some groups which have been using violence appear to be realising that won’t lead to what they want, and they will ultimately have to talk their issues through … others are becoming more desperate and nasty. Ultimately, all have to learn how to coexist in a world where others will inevitably have different views;
(e) smaller groups in society need to be considered and included, and mistakes must be acknowledged and then learned from;
(f) abuse of power and corruption, and being vulnerable to being blackmailed or similarly influenced, remain major concerns;
(g) communication needs to be fostered, and good media is a key part of that, along with tools such as collaborative communication;
(h) the world needs to slow down, live more simply, and control population;
(i) exhaustion is a problem – even going so far as to cover a particular set of strategies in warfare;
(j) decision makers outside conflict zones need to accept and act on their responsibilities. From the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect on Sudan, for instance: "After more than 10 years and 60 resolutions it is time for the UNSC to review its entire approach to endemic conflict and ongoing atrocities in Sudan". This is a case where the words have not led to action, and thus are cheap, and action is required;
Post No. 737 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 8th August, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, there is an excess of outward-focused fire and inward-focused water, with an absence of balancing elements. What is needed is more inward-focused air (e.g., self reflection) and outward-focused earth (e.g., noticing the devastation one is causing in the pursuit of one’s aims);
(c) in negotiating solutions to problems, one must avoid creating long term problems by adopting short term or superficial “solutions” – such as swapping populations in conflict areas;
(d) when the problems of an action that was well meant but unsound become apparent, the actions one should consider include admitting that one may have been wrong: please note, Burundian President Nkurunziza;
(e) police have greater powers than other citizens, and thus must be held to account more stringently;
(f) crime can be a major threat – as the recovery of uranium (albeit unrefined ore) in Ukraine shows;
(g) irrationality can make negotiating a rational solution to problems, whether racism, sexism or war, difficult (denial is a stupid choice, not irrationality). When it makes finding a BPLF solution impossible, BPLF restraint of the irrational becomes a necessity – just as one would a crazed gunman killing innocents. Nevertheless, talking remains the preferred and often most effective way of resolving problems;
(h) impatience and unreasonable expectations can undermine or even derail progress;
(i) those in power, or charged with a duty to maintain order, must learn not to confuse normal dissent, debate and associated displays with bloody revolution;
(j) economic and financial matters are often overlooked or downplayed by those trying to make the world a better place, but they have the power to do massive good, just as much as they have the power to do massive harm;
Post No. 734 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 1st August, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) awareness of problems internationally, their possible repercussions, and ways of addressing them constructively seem, to me, to be better than they were half a decade ago – but that to continue to be so, awareness and understanding must continue to adapt as circumstances change;
(c) failure to be diligent, even in trifling matters, contributes to the energy that causes, fosters and maintains corruption –which can poison even the best thing;
(d) just as people who are not brash, noisy or rich deserve to be noticed and listened to and cared about, so too do the nations that are smaller, poorer and less noticed on the world stage;
(e) bystanders need to accept their responsibility to take BPLF action and do so – whether it be racism in society, or amongst the nations of the world;
(f) access to accurate, unbiased and honest information is vital – as is having the comprehension, understanding and sense to interpret it well;
(g) learn from history – past lives on a personal scale, and the social, technological, political and spiritual on a regional, national or world scale;
(h) there comes a time when one has to stand up for a principle;
(i) we are all connected: a billion people in desperate poverty doesn’t mean we should not celebrate birthdays and the like, but the celebrations would have a better psychic environment if those billion people were lifted out of poverty;
Post No. 731 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 25th July, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) tragedies can lead to some good outcomes;
(c) economic influence is excessive when it impedes sovereignty;
(d) extremists are not only using social media, they are learning from the mistakes of their predecessors, and thus flexibility in approaches to them will be needed (I think von Clausewitz had something to say on this …);
(e) accountability may be slowly improving – and visibility of problems is often a key first step, so a proper media is vital, just as self knowledge is vital on a personal level;
(f) justice remains important for a functional society: so does social equity and inclusiveness – all of which is countered by having oligarchies;
(g) our commitment to BPLF principles is measured by how we hold to them in challenging times and circumstances;
(h) refugees can have positive benefits for nations – e.g., addressing ageing problems;
(i) Putin’s Russia may not be as much of a threat as it has seemed;
(j) actions often speak louder than words;
(k) the more things change, the more they stay the same. I know of engineers who left the profession when faxes increased the pace of life, and past advances in technology have led to concerns, some valid, most not. Throughout all this, however, the constant requiring attention, and often ignored, is human frailties, foibles and weaknesses;
(l) the closer, longer and more extreme that violence is encountered, the more hardline some people become - but NOT ALL.
Post No. 728 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 18th July, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) overreaction, particularly with political attempts to curry favour with voters, can be a problem. On the other hand, losing opportunities by under-reacting or being too easy-going can also be an issue. Balance and appropriateness is almost always best;
(c) those who hold power should be held to account for their exercise, or failure to exercise, that power, to the extent that is commensurate with the power held;
(d) don’t trivialise or downplay surprising, unexpected or unwanted matters;
(e) trying to resist the trend towards greater inclusivity will ultimately those trying to resist more than anyone else;
(f) change is not always constantly for the better: beware of backsliding;
(g) be wary of legitimising those who are doing wrong (which is why I use the acronym Da’esh, rather than anything with the word "State" in it);
(h) nuance and opposing views are important to consider – difficult to resolve, but doing so successfully can lift an issue to a higher level;
(i) talking is still a key way to resolving many of these problems, but those can taking positive interventionist action (e.g., humanitarian aid, TRUE peacekeeping, etc) is also needed;
(j) empire building is still a problem in the world, as is the desire for what is seen as “order”, which means both neat and free of anything different;
(k) being overwhelmed by this work is a real risk. If that happens, focus on what is happening around you – make that as BPLF as you can, and you will doing much of what you can to contribute to the “psychic soup” around this world being as good as is possible – and rest when needed.
Post No. 724 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 27th June, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) the unacknowledged problems of population growth – which is as INHERENTLY unsustainable as economic growth, and for much the same reasons (see here, here, here and here – but see item 11 here for a salutary caution on this) - and over-crowding (see here and here) MUST be addressed, if we are to have a future;
(c) when a situation has been brought to a state of balance (Balanced Positivity and Spiritual Maturity), it is possible for that to be brought undone by those who, through immaturity, unbalance caused by fear, grief, anger, hate, pain or some other cause, do not understand the advantages of that state;
(d) talking, and cutting off resupply of nonBPLF resources (in the astral, as much as the physical – which also includes peer influences and hate speech), are still key for achieving and maintaining peace;
(e) everywhere is usually shades of grey and combinations of shades of grey - or, maybe, combinations of black and white – for instance, Brazil has been good for the Internet, but poor for Venezuela, whereas the USA has been the opposite;
(f) temptation to do wrong can be overcome by BPLF spiritual discipline – i.e., commitment to the principles of Balanced Positivity and Spiritual Maturity;
(g) don’t ignore or underplay problems, such as the remaining gaps in the proposed Iran nuclear deal, which could see the whole thing fail;
(h) always look deeply, to the true causes of problems – and they overwhelmingly predominantly are multiple;
Post No. 721 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 20th June, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) the unacknowledged problems of population growth – which is as INHERENTLY unsustainable as economic growth, and for much the same reasons (see here, here and here) - and over-crowding (see here and here) MUST be addressed, if we are to have a future;
(c) the balance of power in Australia’s main opposition party has shifted away from the political right for the first time in 1979, in a move which potentially will do much to create real choice and start shifting the Australian landscape away from a neo-conservative position. May it also happen elsewhere;
(d) the world has come a long way, but it has even longer to go in addressing discrimination;
(e) President Obama’s anger over blocked attempts at gun control is excellent;
(f) Russian leader Mr Putin is playing games again: if you’re genuine, Mr Putin, about pushing Assad, just do it – without an strings attached;
(g) although the world needs evidence to make decisions on issues such as refugees (e.g., that they have been displaced by abuses, and are not driven by economics), it needs compassion to be able to make a proper decision – the head alone is unbalanced, and inhuman;
(h) talking remains the solution to most crises.
Post No. 720 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 13th June, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some time in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some time in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) I know many people who take a hard-line approach to crime (“send ‘em to jail!”) until they see this up close – and I am thinking of a colleague at work in particular, whose son is getting in to trouble. When people are properly informed, they make better decisions. We, the citizens of this world, need a more nuanced approach to managing violent extremists to be implemented;
(c) along the same sort of vein, less aware people may find themselves inclined to more hardline “solutions” to problems – such as imposing more discipline on unruly children, rather than explaining why their behaviour is unacceptable. In the same way, Jordan and Central Asia (and those in a position to influence the governments there) need to take a more enlightened approach, and commit genuinely to democracy, freedom and human rights to counter the threats from Da’esh. Other nations need to learn this lesson for other reasons, and Lebanon also needs to fill its political vacuum sensibly to help resist this spread;
(d) those on the various sides of conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Libya need to realise that their efforts are achieving nothing but harm, and agree to defer seeking the realisation of their ideals and/or ambitions;
(e) inclusivity is still a requirement for the health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and nations: discrimination can directly cause health problems on the personal scale, and wars on the larger;
(f) the hidden people and influences in conflicts (e.g., the economic aspects of atrocities) need to be revealed: may Peorth / Perthro make it so;
(g) critical, informed and objective thinking and review is desperately needed on both the personal and social scale;
(h) the needs for provision of the basics of life (food, shelter, clean water, etc) must be met everywhere for social equity and human dignity – to paraphrase the great Dr Martin Luther King Jr., from his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, to fail to do so anywhere is a threat to the achievement of these principles everywhere.
Post No. 717 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 6th June, 2015
(a) based on my interpretation of information here and here with Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015), Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some time in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some time in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) it is important to have the intellect, objectivity and perspective to enable data, information and intelligence to be correctly used;
(c) China’s leaders need to consider whether they wish to be as much of a bully as the old imperial powers;
(d) the international community – particularly Russia – needs to consider the doctrine of “Responsibility to Protect”, with regard to Syria;
(e) all those who could next lead the opposition in Russia needs BPLF protection and inspiration;
(f) the Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, needs BPLF inspiration, patience and persistence;
(g) the leaders of Iraq need to, as notorious others have said, “consider the unthinkable”, and build a genuinely inclusive society;
Post No. 713 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 30th May, 2015
(a) I have been reviewing some outer planet astrological influences, and, based on my interpretation (click on the links to see theirs) and summation – in my words - of the information at http://www.cafeastrology.com/ and http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/astrology/LearningAstrology/signsPluto.htm, we have:
Jupiter in Leo contributing to an expansion of opinions, beliefs and perceptions (until 11th August, 2015);
Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20th December, 2017);
Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some time in the Year 2018); and
Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some time in the Year 2024);
so, conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;
(b) the history of Cyprus gives an idea of how much time can be required to both create problems, and to move towards peace (the following is based on the Wikipedia article I just gave a link for):
with humans present since the 10th millennium BCE, the island was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 1500s (after raids by Muslims from the 600s CE; the Ottomans changed rule from a feudal system to one where people were ruled by their religious leaders – setting the scene for some amazing, to outsiders such as myself, scenes last Century of Archbishops being involved in political matters) until “administered” by the British Empire in 1878 (which came about after a war), and annexed in 1914 as part of World War Part One. During this period, Greek-Turkish tensions began, with hundreds of Greeks executed after some Greeks left to support the Greek War of Independence in the early 1800s, following which Greece called for Cyprus to be part of Greece (see here, which is reminiscent of this, to me);
following nationalist violence in the 1950s, Cyprus was granted independence in 1960, as a single nation, with Turkish Cypriots fearing union with Greece, and some wanting partition of Cyprus;
in 1963, the 11-year intercommunal violence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots started, which displaced more than 25,000 Turkish Cypriots, and led to a coup d'état by Greek Cypriot nationalists in July 1974, which was responded to by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which led to the capture of the present-day territory of Northern Cyprus the following month, after a ceasefire collapsed, and the displacement of over 150,000 Greek Cypriots and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots and, in 1983 separate Turkish Cypriot state in the north;
these events and the resulting political situation in the 1970s, which were preceded by hundreds of years of violence building up enmity, are matters of a continuing dispute., with international police / observers (I recall media film of violence along the border, with people killed), attempts by the UN to broker an ongoing peace and ongoing legal battles (including over the loss of property as a result of the conflicts), the European Union making some significant progress from the late 1970s after announcing that Turkey could potentially become a member. This week negotiations have started to address issues such as those missing as a result of events in the 1970s. According to the Wikipedia article, “[a] number of observers increasingly suggest partition is the best solution”, but “critical peace scholars suggest that a solution to the Cyprus conflict can only be found by including society on a broad base, as political elites started to abuse the conflict as a source of power and resources”. In any event, there is real anguish and suffering, and unresolved hatreds and anger, and thus a need for BPLF work;
(c) for decisions and actions to be long lasting (self-perpetuating, in a sense), there has to be an adequate basis for them – actions taken in support of ideology or convenience are rarely going to exist without massive, self-defeating efforts at control;
(d) when considering political events, don’t forget the environment – for instance, George Monbiot credits a drought which drove one and a half million people from the country into the cities as a major factor in Syria’s uprising in 2011;
(e) always look for the shades of grey;
(f) as with bluffing, sabre rattling is dangerous – for the sabre rattler. China is muscling up to a bigger nation (the USA) as it threatens smaller neighbours, and, basically over a grab for resources and materials -irrespective of whose they actually are. That is not the behaviour of a truly great nation;
Post No. 709 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 23rd May, 2015
(a) be mindful of inner conflicts – attend to them, and resolve the issues in a Spiritually Mature and Balanced Positive way;
(b) remember to acknowledge – celebrate, if you wish – the gains of the Clear Light BPLF;
(c) when you become upset at events in the world, something which may help some of you (it usually doesn’t help all, or even most) is to meditate – genuinely meditate – on how one has learned from past mistakes and trials, and then shift one’s perspective out to thousands of years;
(d) communication and awareness are of great importance: if you wish to help the world, you must communicate with the world – beginning by listening through all means you have, including your BPLF Guidance, meditation, and … media;
Post No. 704 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 16th May, 2015
(a) it is possible for something that is well intended and genuinely (BPLF) spiritually inspired to be warped into something else: therefore, it is always important to think one’s actions through carefully;
(b) attempting to have and keep power by force will, in the long term (which is possibly centuries), be unsuccessful, as the human drive for freedom, truth and love, and the BPLF influences guiding this planet, will eventually find a way to win – evolving as is necessary to do so. The only way to have “power” is to have the BPLF powers of spiritual maturity, freedom, truth and love;
(c) we are here in this world for a reason - several, actually, and one of those reasons is to make it a better place;
(d) respecting and caring even spiritually loving - people who are different, but not harmful, is part of making this world a better place. Harsh treatment of refugees, subjugating women, discrimination against ethnic groups or LGBTIQ people is as wrong as a politician abusing power or an unjust war - and, in some cases, possibly more harmful;
(e) every act on a small scale reinforces larger scale versions of those acts -psychically, and through their effect on society;
(f) every time you think could not do something "bad" (e.g., that you could never be violent or commit acts of torture), you set yourself up to be thoroughly tested possibly quite some time later, but it WILL happen. Therefore, be merciful, understanding of human complexities, vulnerabilities and failings, and nuanced in your judgements - both for good and bad;
(g) think about the concepts of “the greater good” and "the Highest Spiritual Good";
Post No. 702 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 9th May, 2015
(a) never abuse power - and never make excuses or lie to oneself when doing so, whether it is nepotism, insider trading, using sex for control or using mundane power to mutilate (physically, emotionally or mentally), injure or kill: not only does it all come back on you literally, through the mechanism of karma, it scars one’s Soul - not irredeemably, but near enough;
(b) BPLF whistleblowing is responsible USE of power, not abuse;
(c) just as bystanders doing nothing about bullying or domestic violence are guilty of being an accessory, so too are groups and nations that fail to act against gross abuses occurring within the spheres of their existence. On the other hand, it is, at this stage of the world’s evolution, a cause for celebration when people, groups or nations do take responsible, proportionate and effective action;
(d) people need to allow others to have the freedom to be free – to do otherwise is control, whether on a small scale, such as domestic violence or preventing others changing their religion, medium scale, such as counter-revolutions, or a large scale, such as the endemic abuse of women and other minority groups;
(e) “May the world of commerce and business be recognised to be a servant, not a master, of the lives of people”. Where it is not, it is a classic case of “the tail wagging the dog”;
Post No. 697 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 2nd May, 2015
(a) beware small, slight changes that can lead to serious problems later, much as one should not be negligent, even in trifling matters;
(b) one person can make a difference – maybe not initially, and maybe not what was desired, but such deeds can plants good seeds;
(c) naivety is a problem – in fact, I would go so far as to regard it as a spiritual crime. The cure is education – of the soul, as well as the mind and body;
(d) dealing with shock, mistakes and evil (especial evil in its most banal of forms) can be wearing, and self care for activists is important, if possible. Where it is not possible, it is up to others to start sharing the load;
(e) inflexibility can be a major problem, particularly when negotiating for peace. The spiritual cure for inflexibility is change; in the context of peace negotiations, pragmatic approaches enabling people to save face (i.e., “have room to move”) may be required;
Post No. 691 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 25th April, 2015
(a) while groups like Da’esh and other violent extremists seek to spread their vile influence over geography, resistance to all such violent extremism can ALWAYS call on the often uncharted realms of mind, spirit and Soul, irrespective of geographic location and presence or absence of physical tools of communication, for inspiration, allies, and an arena to outflank the violent extremists;
(b) when dealing with endemic problems, such as war or poverty or epidemics, continued outbreaks need to be managed, but the fact that continued outbreaks occur also says the broader underlying causes need to be identified and addressed – which is a different skill set to dealing with the outbreaks, and thus isn’t necessarily a drain on the same resources. In that situation, some people need to celebrate the successes along the way – NOT all, but all need to maintain their balanced well being;
(c) while stability and “normality” are often the best counter to violent extremis, it has to be an inclusive and free “normality” that allows people to express themselves in ways that do not harm others and to grow – the tyranny of what Robert Menzies alluded to as the control of others from suburban middle class lounge rooms is not acceptable;
(d) “don’t shoot the messenger” is a principle that applies to international politics and human rights – particularly with respect to not harming those who are genuinely acting to make the world a better place. If people trying to do so are in error, educate them, don’t kill or harm them;
(e) the legal arms trade is a major problem in exacerbating the savagery –and probably the length – of violent conflict, and must, in all decency, be curtailed – or properly controlled, at least, with realistic consideration of the possibility of misuse or further sale of weapons;
(f) Der Spiegel’s (I use their Spiegel International website as one of my sources) has published an article on the structure of Da’esh. That article, and a couple of responses to it, strongly support the view that the Sunni-Shiite conflict is about politics, not religion;
Post No. 687 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 18th April, 2015
(a) having a safe and stable home is a fundamental right: not having that leads to many problems. There are many threats to having a safe stable home, ranging from abuse leading to loss of safety or homelessness, through poor economic policies to war;
(b) the causes of problems may not necessarily be where the problems are perceived – physically, personally, emotionally, socially, politically, and psychically/spiritually. What it needed is to both heal the cause, and the result;
(c) one of the supposed outcomes of the Peace of Westphalia, which, in 1648, ended the Thirty Years War after 8 million people had died, was a curtailment of religiously motivated attempts to influence other nations’ internal affairs – which was part of an agreement with multiple aspects, often summarised as establishing respect for territorial integrity. The agreement had many good outcomes, but a cessation to violence and ends to religious interference weren’t all that good. In some parts of the world, the Thirty Years’ War continued on and became the Eighty Years War, and just a few years later there was the Civil War (in England – not the US one) which included a religious element, and disputes over religion continued for centuries in the islands of the United Kingdom – with some extremely brutal and nasty violence even in the 20th Century. What was this violence over – which religion to follow? No, it was which sect or brand of one particular religion to follow … Shades of which end of the egg to open? Even in my lifetime, I have known people who genuinely considered a Protestant neochristian married to a Catholic neochristian to be a mixed marriage! Now, the fact that most people these days view such matters as relatively minor, in the overall scheme of things, is a sign of increased maturity. However, religion is seemingly being used as an excuse still – most notably, with Da’esh. The TRUTH of the matter, however, is that the conduct of Da’esh is not about Islam, but power. Sad as that is, and the continuing violence and pettiness of disputes over religion, it is equally as appalling that so many people are so shallow and superficial that they are duped over such matters – not just in relation to Da’esh, but elsewhere in the world, in other aspects of life. We’re here to learn how to constructively co-exist, and one of the first parts of that lesson is to learn – to paraphrase the great Dr Martin Luther King - to fairly and objectively judge people’s character, rather than judging them on superficial or uncontrollable (from here) things such as the colour of their skin, or their religion – or which end of the egg they open;
(d) in the same way that democracy has grown, even being extended to include women in the last century or so in many places of the world, and governance has moved, over the last couple of millennia, away from emperors and dictators and kings and other despots to, in many places of the world, some form of elected representation of the people, so too has our management of peace grown, from the League of Nations to the United Nations, and now, possibly changes to the modern concept of the nation to include responsibility for human rights and human dignity. Ultimately, I consider we will consider being part of a nation-state no more significant than many of us consider being in a town or city (once the basis for ‘states’) or a province within a nation state (also once the basis for ‘states’). At that stage, being human - and humane - will be most significant, and will, maturely, calmly, move to a fair and equitable world government. That is possibly some way off, but it is worth thinking about occasionally :) ;
Post No. 684 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 11th April, 2015
(a) how does one take a threat to one’s very survival? That question is generally assumed to be about physical survival, but could equally be about the loss of the essence of oneself. Sometimes that could actually be good – consider, for instance, the benefit of a violent, sadistic murderer learning not to be that, which involves giving up whatever made them a violent, sadistic murderer. Less beneficially, people across the planet experience pressure to yield on BPLF morals or do something that is harmful to them or loved ones (e.g., pressure to work extra overtime). Some of these are small matters, but handling them in a BPLF [1] manner helps to set up an energetic pattern of handling such matters well, and that ultimately contributes to helping others who are dealing with what are considered bigger matters – terrorist threats, widespread corruption, crime syndicates, poverty, and so on. It is easy to criticise someone who may be, for instance, breaching human rights principles in how they treat terrorist suspects, but are you doing better in YOUR everyday life?
(b) those who select people for positions with power, such as police officers, judges, members of the military, government officials and politicians (oops – that last one is selected by us, if we're in democracies with functional elections) need to be sure they choose people who are strong enough not to fail under the unrelenting, sustained pressures and exposures of that position, and thus will never fail to be BPLF. If they cannot do so, then the system needs to be changed so that more human people can be trusted with power, by being in situations where they cannot abuse it;
(c) the methods one uses to oppose wrongs need to be appropriate – not just that they are in accordance with the principles of Balanced Positivity and Mature Spirituality, but also that they will work. Street marches have worked in many cases, but not against Maggie Thatcher, for instance. When I was involved with lobbying (what is now termed “community activism”), there were times when we told our people to stop writing letters and emails, to avoid annoying politicians enough to get them off side. Always: think! Be thoughtful and well informed about what you do – wise, even, if you have the courage :)
(d) abuses of power often involve shutting down communication – bigger instances, such as Turkey’s ham handedness, are obvious, but the energy of doing so in everyday life contributes to that. On that, note the quotes I have had on the subject of listening in my signature block:
We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say (Zeno of Citium)
and
Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply (Stephen R. Covey)
(e) the nuts and bolts of conferences and plans and monitoring and measuring and managing matter;
Post No. 681 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 4th April, 2015
(a) talking and international aid are making encouraging progress in a number of areas of the world, but this only works if people genuinely listen - and attempts to stop people communicating continue;
(b) flawed though it may seem (owing to the constraints of political reality), international laws, agreements and respect are one of the best ways we currently have to achieve peace, and thus incidents where these norms are breached should always be of concern – they are nations doing large scale versions of individuals going back on their word to be ‘good’ in some way, and show arrogance and a lack of concern for people. Sometimes these breaches are within a society, not between societies … ;
(c) violence is often a form of communication, a form of communication akin to bullying and other attempts to intimidate others into doing what one wishes (i.e., control). It needs to be stood up to appropriately (and all apologies for violence need to be credible – which includes being genuine, based on a true and accurate understanding of the problem, reparations, and a credible guarantee that such behaviour will not happen again), but even better, cut it off at the pass by addressing the character / personality of children as they are raised – which, in some instances, is a task parents may need help with (particularly if those parents have such flaws themselves);
(d) recognising a problem as being a problem is always a key first step in solving any problem;
(e) active or even forceful restraint of those doing actual harm is justified, PROVIDED such restraint is GENUINELY BPLF. Overreaction or disproportionate actions are NEVER justified, and simply perpetuate the wrong, in a spiritual / moral / ethical sense, and often in practical ways as well;
Post No. 678 - For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 28th March, 2015
(a) the insecure despots who feel that denying people rights and suppressing dissent or even discussion are so essential for order or feeling good about their group come from somewhere. How wonderful it would be if these people could be led to grow as people during their childhood, so that they didn’t reach adults as despots – whether they are despots influencing nations, homes or workplaces … see my post on changing the personality of oppressors for some ideas on this;
(b) lack of clear thinking, a lack which can so often happen as a result of unexamined, misunderstood or deflective emotions, can cause massive problems - ranging from Mr Putin’s attempts to kill LGBT kids, through the USA’s problems with international activities (over many decades) to voters being duped by media – and true motives for actions being able to be covered by more populist explanations. Fortunately, there are solutions to such problems - personal growth, spiritual forms of meditation (not the relaxation forms), and course such as Mr Brendan Myers' wonderful “Clear and Present Thinking”);
(c) I’ve mentioned previously how we are all connected through psychic effects: the effects in the physical, such as refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries and the instability of Libya threatening the fledgling democracy in Tunisia, are also very significant;
(d) it is always important to think things through – ranging from things like allowing for what to do if rain occurs for an outdoor event through things like having escape routes when one is driving in case of other cars/drivers losing control to things like attempts to help others international causing one grief later (e.g., the USA in Afghanistan in the 80s, the Western nations in Africa and the Middle East in the last few centuries – including Australia’s failure to prepare PNG for independence [e.g., insufficient education and consideration of disconnects between cultures and the idea of democracy]and particularly Western meddling in the Middle East during and after World War Part One) and other twists and turns in events –such as the development of the various groups we are currently being plagued by, and even things like the Terror coming out of the Revolution in late 18th Century France;
Post No. 675 - For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Friday 20th March, 2015
(a) bullies pick what they consider the weakest target – they have no interest in a fair fight. Helps if the victim of the bullies can stand up to them, but otherwise the bully needs to learn that there are others who are stronger as the Jedi in the film says, “there’s always a bigger fish”;
(b) the past influences the present - both for better, and for worse. Sometimes, it is necessary to cast off ties to the past - and other times, it is necessary to draw on past good to achieve stability now. In all this, however, the wanton destruction of past history as enacted by Da’esh and similar groups is never good or beneficial: it is a blind denial, rather than a healthy casting off, and throws out the good with the bad, and the potential to learn - including from mistakes - is irrevocably lost forever;
(c) we are all connected - not only through media and the Internet, but through the impact of our actions on the planet, and our contribution to the aggregate psychic environment that all sentient life exists in in this world. Generosity of spirit towards others is almost never selfless - even if it is genuinely delivered in that spirit, because of this interconnectivity. Thus, it is not only right and proper that we care about those affected by disasters or poverty or hunger or thirst, it is in our enlightened self-interest to do so;
(d) the world is a complex place, and the problems it is experiencing are also complex. Our responses and solutions may, therefore, also need to be other than simplistic in delivery. That means we need the United Nations, the African Union, human rights movements, and so on. And yet … some principles, spiritual principles, remain simple: love, for instance, which can motivate one to deal effectively with the complexities;
Post No. 671 - For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 14th March, 2015
(a) the importance of listening, so that addressing a problem in one place does not create a problem in the second – which also obliges those people in the second place to listen to those in the first, and understand that they also have a valid problem which needs a proper solution, and that they probably know what does and doesn’t work there;
(b) sometimes a change for the good leads to, or reveals, matters which make the apparent change less effective than expected;
(c) the indirect costs of conflict, in terms of damage to people and their lives, as well as damage to the economy, is truly massive – appallingly so;
(d) as Sweden has shown this week, there are, however, times when economic damage is acceptable – in their case, when standing up to a human rights abuser … and, of course, international sanctions against aggressive bullies is generally justified, whether that is the former apartheid regime in South Africa, or Putin’s Russia;
(e) there is a massive organisational need in achieving beneficial goals – whether that is the effort against Ebola, getting a relief convoy to in an inhospitable place through often impassable roads, or negotiating a ceasefire or a true and lasting peace. To get a feel for this, consider the most complicated event you personally know – perhaps ,,, a wedding? Scale that up for the numbers of people involved, and then quadruple it for language, cultural and cross-boundary difficulties;
(f) compassion fatigue is a real issue – as I’ve written about in several other places, achieving effective change, even personal change, takes effort and persistence: doing so on a planetary wide basis even more so;
(g) the wellbeing of many trumps the wellbeing of a few: thus, human rights trumps political ambitions.
Post No. 668 - For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 7th March, 2015
(a) the world is catching up on the importance of human rights, but still lacks the maturity to manage apparently conflicting demands (e.g., Israel vs. Palestinians, development to cure poverty vs. climate change), and is partly limited by the Westphalian based nation-state system which has had successes in managing war. A new approach, one which incorporates and builds on the successes of the past, but is mature enough to address problems, will be found – one day;
(b) The ability to be able to discern the difference between good compromise and bad compromise is important, ranging from the level of the individual to the entire planet (and beyond);
(c) In all that we do, as individuals, as a species, and as a planet, it is likely that resources will be limited –in the sense of being finite, shared with other valid and compelling needs, and less than we would like: it is vital that we learn to make the best use of what we have, and don’t ONLY seek more resources. That is true from sharing time between work and home, balancing a budget between now and future needs, and finding enough resources to bring peace and relief to the planet;
(d) being BPLF ethical in one’s personal conduct is important – not just for oneself, but ultimately for the entire world;
(e) communication is vital, but that also has to include communication with one's Higher Self and the BPLF;
Post No. 664 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 28th February, 2015
(a) our ‘world view’ (that is, our view on the nature of reality, and what is effective) colours what we decide to do, and why. That world view includes our views on religion, and fundamental issues such as whether or not the world is fair. NonBPLF world views can lead to situations such as those where some young people travelled to fight with Da’esh, but had to buy “Qu’ran for Dummies” – and, according to one article this week, Da’esh “pursues intense indoctrination to keep the jihadists in the right cosmic war framework before they realize the absurdity of war, which is never glorious or beautiful, as it is in the movies”. To address this, the world needs effective lessons in right thinking, as the Buddhists would frame it, and a patient and mature perspective on the world and change (particularly the time needed to effect that change). Education and upbringing for our children and young people are crucial – and both are currently flawed by the emphasis on job skills and parents creating “mini-me’s”. Changes will take time, energy and persistent effort, and politicians willing to put the long term benefit of society ahead of being re-elected;
(b) changing societies - which needs to be assessed over decades, not an electoral cycle or the idiotically short news cycle - needs to be done with awareness of the possibility that it can go wrong – as with the attempts to Westernise Russia’s economy in the 90s, which led to the Russian mafia being powerful, the rush to push nations into democracy (which needs to happen ultimately, but, as with peace, it needs to be a strong and lasting version) without thinking about the effects of culture, lack of education and people’s characters, how to overcome those problems (France in the late 1700s, Afghanistan, PNG, Egypt, etc –on the other hand, Gandhi managed that brilliantly in India in the early and mid 20th Century, and – contrary to the rubbish on TV at the moment – the US’s “founding fathers” did a pretty good job back in the 1760s and 1770s), and the need to enfranchise the disenfranchised (the failure to do this led to riots in the USA in the 60s, and contributed to problems in Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere);
(c) just as injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, violence not just violent extremism – anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere, both through the violence passing through borders, and through psychic effects;
(d) it is of great importance to learn from history, but one can only do that if one can think clearly and objectively, and accurately see true parallels in situations, and discern them from the merely apparent parallels;
(e) bullies and the violent need to be stood up to – in a BPLF manner, but that may involve being forceful. It is no more right for a teacher to stand by uselessly flapping their lips as a bully physically bashes another child than it is for society to stand by while children or (domestic) partners are abused or people suffer the abuse and gross indecency of poverty, or than it is to watch a Hitler or a Da’esh torture, kill or enslave other people;
(f) every little battle has a reflection of other battles, and thus, standing up for more inclusive and reflective education everywhere, no matter how small the battle is, helps everywhere;
(g) words are cheap: actions matter, including psychic and spiritual actions.
Post No. 661 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 21st February, 2015
(a) the need for persistence;
(b) the need for vigilance, particularly in preventing restrictions of BPLF media (nonBPLF media is a different matter);
(c) the need for compassion – for those on the receiving side, and for the maintenance of the humanity of those who are seeking to be compassionate, and thus the importance of aid beyond creating social stability that is inherently resistant to violent extremism;
(d) the challenges that go with effecting changes, which may require trial of tools that don’t work (such as overly optimistic international agreements on nuclear weapons, perhaps) which are followed by learning (not pointing-the-finger type blame games) and thus evolution into something more appropriate and effective;
(e) the potential benefit of academic / intellectual study or examination of issues;
(f) the importance of BPLF responses to nonBPLF actions, even if that is “only” verbal condemnation, but more concrete actions if directly asked for help;
(g) the vital need to avoid being simplistic – whether assessing nations, the causes of crime of violent extremism, or something else.
Post No. 659 - For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - Saturday 14th February, 2015
(a) the importance of learning to get along with others sufficiently to allow the collaborative decision making of democracy, and to allow it to be BPLF (which requires education, information, etc);
(b) the importance of learning to get along with others sufficiently to avoid discrimination;
(c) the importance of talking as a way of effectively transitioning those parts of the world which are discriminatory and/or undemocratic in BPLF [1] way - which is the only effective way to do so;
(d) as the old activist saying goes, the personal is political, which means addressing violence, discrimination and undemocratic behaviour everywhere is essential – the Dr Martin Luther King Jr. saying that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” is a good philosophical summation, but the effects of the psychic energy is something I - and hopefully we, Dear Reader – know to be real;
(e) the past is still present, in the sense that colonial borders are a problem, and also in the sense that some issues are repeating, but we also need to learn intelligently from the past, and not just assume the present is an unaltered copy of the past, and thus different response to problems may be needed now (and this sort of intelligent response does appear, to me, to be present in an encouraging number of places);
(f) political violence, social violence, poverty and its associated problems and the evil of control (including nonBPLF abuse of media and restriction on good BPLF media, and acknowledging the need for effective, BPLF training to enable such journalism) are present in the world, details below, and need to be BPLF addressed;
(g) at this stage, the modern concept of the nation-state is with us, and is probably the best way to address these problems (Tunisia is a good example, Yemen a poor example, and Somalia may be changing from poor to good, with Turkey’s assistance), but the UN and other international organs such as the International Criminal Court are of increasing importance, and are capable of being effective agencies for change for the better, and a way of BPLF addressing international disputes (details of specific actions/issues below, if you are interested);
(h) sometimes BPLF action is firm, and may even involve military action to restrain those who are actively hurting others.
Post No. 655 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 7th February, 2015
(a) that things like “back door channels” being used to negotiate peace also exist in the non-physical;
(b) that the Ukrainian government needs to turn from a focus on the military situation in eastern Ukraine to demonstrating real understanding and compassion for all people in that region (e.g., provide access for humanitarian aid, even if some of that goes to the rebels), in order to undermine Russia and prove its moral worthiness to have control over that region (and direct escalation is, at present, too fraught with potential for calamity to pursue, I consider), and this needs to be supported by effective news services to counter Putin’s propaganda;
(c) the importance of justice, and local movements for justice, but that these can need international support.
Post No. 648 - For Sunday evening's meditation-clearing - Saturday 31st January, 2015
(a) the ongoing problem of discrimination against women;
(b) the need to use funding and other nonviolent means to enable resistance to repression, and that this is inextricably connected to aid;
(c) the importance of continuing to talk to resolve problems, and thus the need to BPLF counter anything which stops that;
(d) the past is still present, and injustices must be resolved;
(e ) the importance of fighting against constraint of proper journalism;
(f) the need to learn to get along with BPLF differences between people;
(g) that, politically speaking, ‘the people’ must be heard.
Post No. 644 - For Sunday evening's Meditation - Saturday, 24th January 2015
(a) the need for jobs and a healthy, legal and SUSTAINABLE economy, as well as strong and capable instruments of civil society, to maintain peace, and that international actions to achieve this so far seem to be fairly limited and ineffectual - but they ARE there, and they are doing what they can, which is good work, mostly;
(b) the personal flaws of too many individuals, who are failing to accept others’ rights to live as those others choose, rather than in conformity with the flawed individual’s wishes which ranges from the evil of busybodies and gossips, through discrimination and human rights abuses to starting civil wars for the nonBPLF reasons (whilst the former are less pronounced than the latter, their ubiquity results in them contributing DIRECTLY to the latter). Another complication here is the apparent conflict between wanting to have self determination that is part of many violent movements, and agreeing to international justice/insight, which is about recognising one’s personal limitations, and accepting the guidance of those who have learned from such problems previously, which ranges from kids needing to agree to learn from teachers, through accepting International Courts of Justice to accepting interventions such as those led by ECOWAS;
(c) the need for homelands for some people, and perhaps generally a rethink of boundaries of modern nations, too many of which are set where Western armies stopped – and it is this issue that the UN is inherently limited on;
(d) the good role ECOWAS appears to be playing in Africa, along with the continued efforts of the UN, flawed though that organisation is;
(e ) the failure of some to learn from past mistakes, leading to cycles of reincarnation for some and avoidable political mistakes for others (some of the lessons of history are still valid, despite being hundreds of years in the past).
