Post No. 932 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing

For everyone’s convenience:   the reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing are here;   a simplified blogiography of posts related to this work is here,   a list of themes I have identified here;   my changing the personality of oppressors and other world leaders post is here;   (see here for some investigation into evidence of the effectiveness of this type of work … and also here and here are interesting);   a range of information on emotions is here, and suggestions on how to work with emotions is here;   this copy of a speech to one of the Parliament of World Religions has excellent, helpful insights on generational transmission of harm, the cost of war, and ways to heal our hearts;   and   this post reminds us to be patient and persistent, like a “speeding oak” (and I like the comment about a sudden “shift” being just another form of apocalyptic thinking).

Now, the purpose of posting these news links (and, incidentally, these posts are the equivalent of a re-tweeting service, or, at best, a commentary site: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias or trying to cover all [there are often more than two] sides of an issue – see here) is not only to inform:   it is also to stimulate a connection to nonBPM units that need to be cleared and BPM units that need to be strengthened, so that you can do the clearing / strengthening that is required.   That only works if you don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this, so take it in small chunks if you need to, but remember to actively clear and heal! … including yourself.

Further to that, in the same way that activists used to argue that “the personal is political”, the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events. If you want to, for example, improve the communication of nations, improve yours. To help stop abuses of power, be always ethical in your conduct. Want peace? Then work in an informed, understanding, intelligent and nuanced way for peace in yourself and your life.

There are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working, opportunities for healers, and the default plan for any time I am late getting my Psychic Weather Report up.

Now, the themes – short, medium and long term - that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are (and no apologies if this repeats the themes of any previous weeks – in fact, given the size of this task, that is to be expected):

(a)   based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20^th 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)   there is an enormous need to clear nonBPM energy – the thought forms, unattached energy and scars of the collective unconscious created by millennia of violence. This need includes rescuing those who have been trapped by that history, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage done by the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual violence committed on scales large and small in that timeframe;

(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need the reflection of more BPM Air;

(d)   the world has lost another great soul this week: Shimon Peres, who epitomised not only working for peace, but the personal experiences and transformation which often lead to such work. Blessed Be, Shimon Peres, and may your work for peace live on;

(e)   the counter to fear is genuine  EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech;

(f)   peace is powerful, but it is a process requiring patient (not impatient!), persistent and nuanced nurturing, and a blend of conventional spiritual work, clearing nonBPM units, and physical world activism;

(g)   where problems exist, advocating for BPM responses, and being as BPM as one can be, and constructive solutions - as is clearing nonBPM units;

I also take this opportunity to emphasise that it is absolutely VITAL that this psychic / metaphysical / spiritual work be performed non-violently and as is for the Highest Spiritual Good – which is part of being BPM – on all levels and in all ways. Always remember (see here): Do you fight to change things, or to punish? See also here, here, here, here, here, and my comments about “authentic presence” in this post.

News and other matters from this week include the following (opportunities/good news are shown in green; comments are shown in purple; WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc).

• Permanent issue: may all actual and potential BPM [1] Leaders be kept BPM safe, including keeping them undetectable to the nonBPM and keeping all their Significant Others inviolable against being used for indirect  psychic attack, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at influencing the world’s direction, development and unfoldment, all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
• Permanent issue: may all humans recognise, irrespective of the appearance of difference, the essential shared humanness of other people, the inherent resilience, the dynamic power, the strength of BPM collaboration, and the opportunities of having a diverse, inclusive and welcoming population, and may all people choose fairness, when such decisions are before them;
• Permanent issue: may all humans choose to live modestly – to forgo outdoing others, or trying to have more than they need - for the sake of an easier, more manageable life, if they cannot do it for the sake of the planet;
• Events warranting particular attention, or fitting into too many categories:
     the need for economics to turn back to Government-led investment;   commercially driven attacks on national sovereignty;
     one of the topics to come up in the recent debate between the US Presidential candidates was the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This analysis gives a reasonably balanced assessment of the overall benefits and costs, and suggests that it is, on the whole, slightly beneficial. The problem with that is the cost – those people who lose jobs in such deals are dependent on how well the “civilised” society supports them, and that is, the case of the USA, abysmal, and not much better here in Australia. I have heard a lot of claims around retraining and so forth, and they are all absolute rubbish. Take, for example, Newcastle, in NSW: when the steel mills shut down, unemployment went up, and now that unemployment is down, the claims are made that the job losses have been countered – but no-one has presented information (that I have seen) to show that the total number of jobs is where it would have been if the mills had stayed open (if they could have done so financially, that is – which is wishful thinking). Those whose lives have been destroyed by such job losses are driving the widespread anger that Trump and others of his ilk are tapping in to: up until now it has been easy for those who have been divorced from the reality of the downside to ignore or evade that reality, possibly even making glib references to the inadequate and begrudged unemployment benefits as a salve to whatever is left of their conscience, but no longer – and this applies to many other such trade agreements.
  From a spiritual and moral point of view, pushing people back down into survival situations makes them vulnerable to problems such as anger and rage and hate (including attacking vulnerable groups – i.e., racism). Ideally, they would cope with such tests, but (a) there are other, more effective (in my view) ways to learn and test such characteristics, and (b) such actions are an indictment of the allegedly civil nature of that society.
  We are, and always have been, far better top ensure that allowing people opportunity to excel (provided it is NOT at the expense of others) is combined with the social responsibility of ensuring people are not left behind – which is a lesson that has been writ in blood through millennia of history: I hope we don’t have to learn that lesson again in such a harsh fashion this time ...
• With regard to democracy, freedom and governance (e.g., here and here):
     -   the need for better climate policy, as shown by a spike in electricity prices;   the nuclear tests at Maralinga in Australia are a reminder not to put security over safety;   “Some services can't be measured by accounting firms. Prison education is one of them”;   claims that “corporate”, not social, welfare is out of control;   a critique of a recent poll which suggested support for a cessation of Islamic immigration points out that the formulation of options influenced the result;   a well thought out and explained call not to excessively legislate on matters;   a call to plan for peace when getting involved in military interventions;   history suggests that attempting to “coup-proof” the military can lead to major problems – including escalation or starting wars;   an assessment which shows “It is foolish for the United States to undertake military action for the primary purpose of reinforcing its reputation. Refraining from acting when U.S. interests are not directly engaged will not diminish America’s “credibility” or its ability to wield power effectively”;   the pros and cons of globalisation;
     -   growing ethnic tensions in Bosnia;   unless progress speeds up considerably with full support from the international community, the world's least developed countries will miss the growth and productivity targets they have set themselves by the target date of 2021;   concerns that the delays to Somali elections is increasing the chance of corruption;   a speech an Australian government MP gave to Parliament defending a property developer was substantially written by the lead lobbyist for the developer;
     -   Saudi Arabia has cut public sector salaries – as protests are held over the absence of pay;
     -   criticism of US banks for unethical conduct as Australians call for banks to be environmentally responsible;   action against corruption in Spain appears to be on the verge of success;   a call for the Australian government to learn from overseas governments and take legislative action to address human rights problems in business supply chains;   an explainer on Australia’s race hate law;   a critique of a review of social housing;   a suggestion on how to get senior military people to refrain from undue political acts – including post-retirement from the military;   one Australian dies every day because of gambling;   a call for Australia to follow the USA and require CEOs to disclose the ratio of their pay to their company’s average pay;   Chile’s first female President is trying to drag that nation’s archaic laws on abortion into the late 20^th Century;
• With regard to violent extremism (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (and, incidentally, I consider ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism to actively be doing the work of violent extremists. This PARTICULARLY includes those cretins [including in the media, and Amnesty International] who use the acronym ISIS (see also here), which is actually the Greek name of the Egyptian Goddess Aset – and others (see also here and here) - and actively perpetuates the patriarchal and sacrilegious evil that violent extremists are trying to accomplish in this world – which will be countered, in part, by the sort of approach advocated by “Cure Violence”, and, in part, by addressing real and perceived disempowerment and acknowledging the variety in what provides genuine, BPM fulfilment as a counter to fanaticism as a source of meaning. I also am inclined, personally, to include here the last two millennia of neochristian and colonialist social engineering, which has led to suppression of women, child abuse, the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc, as violent extremism, but that would take too much explaining. As a final point, I am deliberately avoiding the use of specific names of violent extremist groups as much as possible to reduce the publicity they get – I’m not a primary news source, and thus consider I can do so: any names that are needed are in the articles I have provided links to):
     -   violent extremist attacks have occurred this week in Hungary, Iraq, Afghanistan, and, according to this Wikipedia page, 3 other attacks in Iraq in a total of 21 attacks around the world; and actions have occurred against violent extremists in Afghanistan, New York (an anti-Islamophobia drive);
     -   Swiss voters have approved new surveillance measures;   controversy over France’s first de-radicalisation centre;   India and China have held counter violent extremism talks;
     -   an examination of the issue of cartoon, imagery and Islam;   an assessment that Russia may become a key source of violent extremists;
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):   absurdity in Denmark’s courts;   an investigative report on African people smugglers;   Somali refugees are being returned from Kenya into a war zone;   a newly arrived Syrian refugee saved a Canadian bride’s day;
• With regard to human rights and discrimination (including associated violence / crime):
     -   only a minority of Australian electorates oppose Equal Marriage (and a majority now appear to support a Parliamentary vote rather than a plebiscite), as the Nelson Mandela Foundation slams the use of a quote on a brochure making outrageous false allegations against Equal Marriage (it appears there will be no requirements for truth on funded ads), a call is made to keep haters on a leash and a rebuttal is made of claims suicide went down in Ireland during that nation’s vicious plebiscite on Equal Marriage;   half of LBGTI Australians hide their identity at work – and that is known to cause mental health problems;   a call for Australia to be cautious when considering what to “learn” from Ireland’s experiences with a referendum, as the nations have different political systems, histories and expectations;
     -   reform needed to ensure indigenous women and children have a “fair go”;   soccer’s world body has disbanded its anti-racism task force, despite fears of racism at the world championships in Russia in 2018;   an explainer on blackface and brownface;   a US student has used blackface to mock the Black Lives Matter as a young girl delivers powerful testimony in support;
     -   mass protests against the rape and murder of a young woman in India;   a report on abandoning women after marrying and then abusing them;   the hugely popular Indian female rape survivor-turned comic book "super hero" Priya, is back fighting acid attacks;   a domestic violence programme is aimed at breaking generational cycles;   the Indonesian government has launched a long-overdue campaign to eradicate the cruel practice of female genital mutilation;   Pakistan’s lower house of Parliament has passed a landmark bill giving its small Hindu minority the right to register marriages, the last major hurdle on the way to enacting a law aimed at protecting women’s rights;   an arcane protocol will force the victim of a series of rapes to face a retrial;   Chile’s first female President is trying to drag that nation’s archaic laws on abortion into the late 20^th Century;   tougher rape laws in California;
     -   an activist quilter;   a call for the Australian government to learn from overseas governments and take legislative action to address human rights problems in business supply chains;   Indonesia has bristled at criticism over West Papua – se also here;   President Barack Obama is convening his eighth and final Tribal Nations Conference, assembling leaders of more than 560 Native American tribes to discuss the environment and a range of other issues, even as one of the largest Native American protests in decades continues in North Dakota;   serious problems face people in nascent mining communities in Malawi;   a call for justice for the massacre 7 years ago in Guinea;   an inspiring teacher in Gaza has Down Syndrome;   Thailand has silenced Amnesty International’s attempts to discuss torture there;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:   police in the Solomon Islands will carry guns for the first time in 13 years;   an analysis of the principle of “complementarity” (see here and here) between the ICC and national courts;   “Some services can't be measured by accounting firms. Prison education is one of them”;   Spain’s police force has failed to have bullet proof vests for women;   the terrible problem of fake medicines in developing nations;   three police have been added to Queensland’s Honour Roll more than a century after dying from injuries sustained during their work;   an arcane protocol will force the victim of a series of rapes to face a retrial;   an appeal has commenced after a Brazilian court threw out the convictions of dozens of police for their actions in suppressing a riot in which scores of prisoners died;   a court has banned publication of stolen photos of a famous person;   an increase in cybercrime – see also here;   claims Bangladeshi police are “kneecapping” people;   tougher rape laws in California;  for the first time ever, fewer than half of US citizens support the death penalty;
• With regard to press aka the media, and freedom of expression (keeping in mind that claims of presenting “both sides” of a debate can be WRONG if the other side is RUBBISH –as is the case on LGBTIQ issues):   a Syrian journalist has been detained in the UK at the request of the illegitimate Syrian regime;   the murder of a community radio host has been condemned;   a court has banned publication of stolen photos of a famous person;
• With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour? I was recently pleasantly to find IT manufacturers now making at least some effort in this regard. Do you suffer from FOMO? Are you being duped by modern mantras? Does your AI use ethics? Does your corporation misuse mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions? Do you understand embedded emissions?):
     -   one of the Pacific cultures at profound risk from climate change;   Tasmania has been forced to rethink its plans for old growth forests;   Kyrgyzstan is facing problems from climate change;   although the numbers of elephants are falling, some nations want to resume trading in ivory;   the need for better climate policy, as shown by a spike in electricity prices;   the pros and cons of the world giving up meat;   Norway is fighting climate change, but also enabling it by selling oil … ;   controls on clearing trees in Queensland are needed to help protect the Great Barrier Reef;   6.76 billion of the world’s population are living with excessive air pollution;   air pollution killed 600,000 Indians in 2012;   valid criticism of Australian state power authorities for letting energy security slide – an entire state lost power - in their focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions;   new guidelines have been launched on environmental impact assessments for the Pacific;
     -   the problem of being over-connected – including extended work hours - and that is something not only for young people;   whilst I have no inherent problems with the science of a baby with three genetic-material-contributors, and the medical techniques and knowledge may lead to benefits elsewhere, I have to question the parents ethics, given the need for children to be adopted – and the problems with overpopulation;   the human species is an explorer and developer, and there is an argument that the planet developed a species capable of leaving it to ensure survival of life after the next planet-killing asteroid impact, so I am of the view that plans to settle on Mars are worth considering – and many find them inspiring. The cost is an issue, but the issue is actually survival of intelligent life after the next planet-killing asteroid impact, and the cost has to be measured against that. In terms of the techniques, they must be sustainable, and I consider the “no return” option a valid way to reduce costs in the first century or so;   an increase in cybercrime – see also here;   salmon farming may move offshore;
     -   house prices in Sydney would need to drop 25% for first home buyers to have a chance, according to an economist. Building techniques would have to change radically for them to be able to have an environmentally sensible and liveable house, according to … well, me;
     -   the therapeutic benefits of gardening (and I will be doing a little more of that shortly);   an analysis finds reading, being in nature and being alone are the best ways for most people to relax;   the ecology of household gardens;   overcrowding on planes is – unsurprisingly - contributing to a rise in “plane rage”;   suicides in Australia are increasing;   microhomes in Australia can now be bought as flat pack kits;
• With regard to education:   OECD data shows the benefit of higher education – including extra taxes for governments;   France is considering how to improve inclusivity in its schools;   an inspiring teacher in Gaza has Down Syndrome;
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
     -   the preliminary result of Gabon’s Presidential election has been upheld by that nation’s Constitutional Court, with a final decision soon. European Union Monitors have expressed “regret” over a failure of the Court to “rectify anomalies” (what on earth does that mean?), and the losing candidate is unhappy;
     -   more support from donors is urgently needed to expand efforts seeking to improve the lives of those affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region;
     -   a call to implement the peace treaty in Mali;
     -   Burundi is well placed for this week’s “head-in-the-sand” award after rejecting human rights reports;
     -   although the numbers of elephants are falling, some nations want to resume trading in ivory;
     -   serious problems face people in nascent mining communities in Malawi;
     -   a call for justice for the massacre 7 years ago in Guinea;
     -   concerns that the delays to Somali elections is increasing the chance of corruption;
     -   attacks on humanitarian workers in the Central African Republic have been condemned;
     -   Russia will deliver attack helicopters to Nigeria, Mali, Angola and Sudan;
     -   70% of Zimbabweans are living in poverty;
• With regard to China and East and South East Asia:
     -   a caution not to be alarmist when considering China, as a former ambassador warns of Chinese influence in Australia;   China has been warned to rein in debt;   China claims its missiles have made it a major power;   the world benefits of China’s radio telescope – the largest on the planet;
     -   the USA has sanctioned a Chinese firm which has been helping North Korea evade sanctions;
     -   a range of creative protests – and citizen repairs – over unrepaired road potholes;
     -   Thailand has silenced Amnesty International’s attempts to discuss torture there;
     -   the Philippines president Duterte appears to have likened himself to Hitler, saying he would like to exterminate millions of drug users (one thought here is that those advocating for better treatment and consideration of drug users should also be prepared to at least acknowledge the impact that drugs have on other people. In my case, I’ve been on the receiving end of crime from a drug user as part of a sting that others set up – I certainly don’t want the drug user killed, and actually WANT the drug user to receive credible, effective, evidence-based treatment, but I am not pleased at being out of pocket – and, in this particular instance, I am angry that this option was chosen rather than other approaches to the situation that I consider were available. How would someone who had been assaulted – or lost someone to murder - by a drug user feel on the topic?);
• With regard to the conflict in Iraq (noting that Iraq was once a peaceful and prosperous society, before the UK / USA / CIA backed revolution – see here, and that it needs an emphasis on a secular society and citizenship – but also here, although based in Syria and here):
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 344 people killed in the last week;
• With regard to the Libyan civil war:   the Libyan prime minister-designate has said the military strongman who controls the north African country's main oil ports should be represented in a new, more inclusive government: "We have no other choice but dialogue and reconciliation";
• With regard to Russia (which is currently actively supporting an illegitimate regime in Syria):   an assessment that Russia may become a key source of violent extremists;   Russia will deliver attack helicopters to Nigeria, Mali, Angola and Sudan;
• With regard to South and Central America:   an appeal has commenced after a Brazilian court threw out the convictions of dozens of police for their actions in suppressing a riot in which scores of prisoners died;   very powerful (warning: some are disturbing) photographs from the violent war in Columbia, recently ended;
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     -   mass protests against the rape and murder of a young woman;   a report on abandoning women after marrying and then abusing them;   the hugely popular Indian female rape survivor-turned comic book "super hero" Priya, is back fighting acid attacks;   retaliatory political violence in one Indian city;   Chinese troops have made an incursion into disputed territory;   India and China have held counter violent extremism talks;   management graduate Ankit Kawatra is one of 17 people selected for the inaugural class of UN Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals for redistributing food wasted in Indian weddings to the hungry;   a politician is resisting a court order over a water release;   air pollution killed 600,000 Indians in 2012;   an assessment of divorces in India;
     -   growing tension over the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan – see also here, and here, which says the Treaty will hold but other measures will be examined (Pakistan has indicated it would approach the UN if the Treaty was revoked);   "The terrorist attack on an Indian Army base in north Kashmir’s Uri by Pakistan-based terror groups has rekindled a long-standing debate ... [and] called into serious question the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s incoherent policy towards Pakistan, characterised by a consistent lack of nuanced understanding of the art of diplomacy, and the costs of war";   China has confirmed that it sees bilateral talks as the solution to Kashmiri unrest, after an official has suggested a move towards Pakistan;   an assessment of India’s militarily restrained reaction to the terrorist attack at Uri, which ends with: “Addressing state sponsorship of terrorism is a fiendishly difficult problem … and only coercion and diplomacy in parallel are likely to work over the longer term”;
     -   a Pakistani actor in the UK has been sacked for racially offensive tweets;   Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday accused Pakistan’s police of routinely carrying out extra-judicial killings, torture and arbitrary arrests, and called on Islamabad to implement urgent reforms of its under-resourced forces;   Pakistan’s lower house of Parliament has passed a landmark bill giving its small Hindu minority the right to register marriages, the last major hurdle on the way to enacting a law aimed at protecting women’s rights;
     -   India will invest $2 billion in Sri Lanka over the next few years;
• With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
     -   Sudan has refused to be a launching pad for armed opposition in South Sudan;
     -   aid workers have been withdrawn from South Sudan;
• with regard to the conflict in Syria, where Assad’s regime has, in my opinion, lost all claims to legitimacy:
     -   the attacks on civilians are an unacceptable breach of International  Humanitarian  Law  (IHL), according to the European Union;   “The United States calls Russia's action in Syria ‘barbarism’ not counter-terrorism, while Moscow's UN envoy says ending the war ‘is almost an impossible task now’ as Syrian Government forces, backed by Moscow, bombed the city of Aleppo”;   Turkey has limited its actions in Syria to those where Kurds are not involved;   a Syrian journalist has been detained in the UK at the request of the illegitimate Syrian regime;   as US President Obama expresses concern over Aleppo – see also here – and calls are made for humanitarian corridors, some aid gets through elsewhere in Syria;   an opinion piece arguing that there can only be a military solution in Syria;   Russia’s actions are driving “moderate rebels” to violent extremism;
     -   according to this website (which I only found recently, and do not have any information about its accuracy, credibility or objectivity), deaths in Syria in the last 6 days amount to 269 out of a total of 450,000 so far, including 50,000 children.
  If the assessment by the Russians that peace is “almost” impossible is true, then the only way to end the fighting is to partition that nation. Such a partition is unlikely to overcome the wrongs done by the arbitrary borders that created Syria in the first place, and leaves human beings under the terrible, despotic regime of Assad, but it would enable those outside “rump” Syria to start healing ad rebuilding – and perhaps give those inside a place to flee to. Such a situation is unlikely to be stable for more than a few decades, maybe until the death of Assad, but it would stop the killing and abuse that is happening now, and possibly give refugees a place to return to. The biggest block here is Assad – and the key to him becoming amenable to this possibility is Russia, which gave Assad the hubris to keep fighting.
• with regard to Turkey:   Turkey has limited its actions in Syria to those where Kurds are not involved;   the USA and Turkey are making another attempt to make up;   Greece has been angered by Turkish questioning of a border treaty;
• with regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:   abuse of Crimeans under the Russian occupation;
• With regard to West Asia / the Middle East, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   US President Barack Obama, speaking at the UN General Assembly, has told Palestinians to "reject incitement and recognise the legitimacy of Israel” and Israelis that peace won't come until "Israel recognises it cannot permanently occupy and settle Palestinian land", with that and further comments examined in this opinion piece;   an inspiring teacher in Gaza has Down Syndrome;   testimony puts Israel’s claims of being a moral army at risk;   facebook bowed to Israeli government pressure and closed several Palestinian activist accounts;
     -   the United  Arab  Emirates has accused Iran of destabilising the region;   the UAE has dropped charges against a British-Australian man who promoted an Afghan charity on social media;
     -   Iran has released an Iranian-Canadian academic;
     -   an analysis of US-Saudi relations – see also here;   an opinion piece suggesting Saudi Arabia and Iran are edging closer to outright war;   Saudi Arabia has cut public sector salaries – as protests are held over the absence of pay;
     -   the murder of a journalist who had offended many has highlighted growing tensions between secularists and religious hardliners in Jordan – see also here;
     -   Egypt has attempted to justify the military having a role in economics … which reminds me of the answer to the question “what do you get when you put engineers in charge?” Answer: the USSR;   prisoners are dying in Egyptian jails because of a lack of medical care;   outrage at photos of Egypt’s President having breakfast with “a simple family”;
  In this week of the passing of Shimon Peres, who did so much for peace, I’ve done some thinking ..
  The situation between Israel and Palestine is complex, emotional, and fraught with challenges. There is no balance of power between these two groups, and no sense of justice. The current situation is deteriorating, and has been since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin - an event as portentous as the assassination of Abraham Lincoln – and the collapse of Ariel Sharon, who had disengaged Israel from Gaza. There has been and is no-one in view who can replace any of these people (or Anwar Sadat), which begs the question: where to from here?
  On the one hand, the asymmetric war can continue to intensify, until the Palestinian humanitarian crisis results in Israel realising it has shredded its credibility beyond repair, or the leading power, Israel, can rein in its hardliners – especially those following religious commandments (in their view) by building settlements to create a “Greater Israel”. Israel has done this to some extent, but not enough to be effective, and both sides can start to focus on peace, using the framework that Rabin (the Oslo Accords) and Sadat (the Camp David Accords, leading to the Egypt-Israel peace treaty)and others have set out.
  For that to happen:
     -   those on both side who are lashing out in pain and rage need to be given the BPM strength, healing and clearing to pause;
     -   those Israelis and Jews who have been objecting to Israel’s behaviour need a stronger and more effective voice – and Israel needs to recognise that now it is Israel’s behaviour that creates most of the problems, just as Palestinians and Arabs must end all calls for the end of Israel and accept the options which come their way for peace, even if that means formalising the two state solution;
     -   those on both sides who want a secular society need to speak up more effectively;
     -   those who want to live, and have better lives for their children, and moderates on both sides generally need to be LISTENED TO (including by the rest of the world);
     -   corruption and basic governance problems need to addressed;
     -   extremists, fanatics and enemies of secular nations on both sides need to be reined in by their own – and yes, that must be done whilst continuing to ensure that Jews have a place of safe refuge, as is owed to them by the world; and
     -   it is quite possible those who are focused on the past need to learn to bear their pain for the sake of breaking the cycles long enough to create a future – and that means both need to accept that two states will ultimately exist – in fact, two states have a de facto existence already (technically, most people consider Palestine has a “de jure” existence, but I consider it to be more “de facto” – see here for more on those terms) and the only way for the situation of both states to be improved (or at least made less bad) is to admit that and then start addressing the wrongs done on both sides.
  It is also fair to state that there is a good case for proper compensation to the Palestinians for the loss of land: that should be paid for by that portion of the rest of the world which was so inept as to allow the birth, through terrible and preventable crimes, of the need for this modern Israel in the first place.
  I see this as being similar in principle to people who lose their homes for the sake of a community (e.g., a new road): those people are compensated for their loss.
  Israel was created for the overall benefit of the world community (if nothing else, as a statement that events such as the Holocaust should never happen again), and thus, just as those who lose their homes for a piece of community infrastructure deserve compensation, so too do the Palestinian people at least deserve compensation for the loss of a portion of their homeland (including full compensation for those Palestinians who lost their family homes, land and businesses).
  The arguments about Palestinians right to all their land, or Jewish rights to land for religious reasons, are genuinely heartfelt, but they can only be adhered to at the expense of continued bloodshed – until Gandhi’s saying to the effect that an eye for an eye only makes the world blind turns the entire region into a blighted, blasted ruin looking like a discarded “Mad Max” set. For the sake of children, of future generations, a better way must be found – which would be a sacrifice of principles such as self-determination to pragmatism, and peace.
  So … to summarise:
     1.   the Jewish people living there were driven out of the area in dispute two millennia ago by the invading (“ancient”) Romans;
     2.   the people we now generally refer to as “the Palestinians” have lived there for some or all of the subsequent two millennia, most probably not knowing anyone else had any prior claims;
     3.   a good portion of “the world” was responsible (through the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles, failure to act when Germany began re-arming, actively impeding Jews who were trying to flee to safety [e.g., see here, here, here and here], failing to take action against the concentration camps [ see here, here, here, here, and here], etc) for the NEED for a place of safe havens for Jewish people, and chose to do so by creating the modern nation of Israel and a second state for Palestinians;
     4.   a mess of – mostly bad – events, political policies, myths and assumptions have led to nearly a century of conflict at varying intensity, leading to a range of efforts to achieve peace – and increasingly severe damage physically, as well as to the psyche of those involved;
     5.   there is a two state situation, a de facto two state situation, in place at the moment (this is based on the fact of the Palestinians living there for a long period of time [there will be no claims of terra nullius in this instance], the existence of an administration [of sorts], the growing but still limited acceptance of Palestine as an entity, key international  agreements, Israel’s actions against Gaza and the West Bank being consistent with how one nation would behave against another nation it was in violent dispute with – and even Israel’s at times convolute rhetoric aimed at avoiding referring to a Palestinian nation) – which has a range of implications;
     6.   those Palestinians who were displaced have lost the fruits of their labours: morally (perhaps legally?) they are owed compensation;
     7.   those who are responsible for the Palestinians being displaced are those who owe the compensation – and that is those nations who contributed to the need for the existence of a place of safe haven for Jewish people, the “rest of the world”, as I have termed (to varying degrees – and I have no doubt there are many nations such as those who were colonies at the time] who do NOT owe an such compensation);
     8.   compensation is not necessarily best made with money – help to rebuild and to establish a healthy economy and society may be more appropriate – although it must be contingent on accepting the existence of Israel, a modern nation-state with a particular duty as a place of safe haven for Jewish people, just as Israel would have to accept that the Palestinian state already exists and deserves legitimacy for still existing after enduring the best part of a century of constraint, war and oppression;
     9.   Jerusalem is holy to many people, and must be available to all – which suggests it should be internationally administered. International influence also has a role to play in the initial steps – for instance, an international force of police and military could have a dual function in Palestine: helping in the capability building that is essential, and simultaneously policing to prevent attacks on Israel.
• With regard to the war in Yemen (unlike Iraq and Syria, I cannot find a source of regular information on casualties in Yemen, but the hardship and deaths from food, water and medical shortages that concerns me just as much – if not more, and I don’t know if such sites would report that; it is also important to remember that there are multiple sides in this dispute – and opponents to the government are not necessarily Houthi or violent extremist):   the Houthis have proposed a “border truce” with Saudi Arabia;   an air strike in Yemen has killed nine members of one family;   Yemen is facing a water catastrophe;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:   a landslide in China has been caused by a typhoon;  Taiwan’s THIRD typhoon this month has killed 4 people and injured hundreds;  more flooding in my nation, this time in South Australia;   a new gastro bug in my home city may become a problem elsewhere – sorry;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story:   a nice “Pay It Forward” story;

and from a range of other sites:

• in response to a plant disease a sugar cane is diversifying into growing corn and beans – which is here because spring has advanced enough for me to be able to plant my corn, and maybe some beans, although not the type the farmer is growing :) ;
• horses can learn to use symbols to communicate;
• our moods are connected to one of the older parts of the brain;
• swearing is beneficial to health;
• a call for better management of dogs as pets;
• a nursing home for the poor has been approved over the objections of the community;
• today is International Day of Older Persons.

On a personal note, I’ve just signed up at the United Nations Online Volunteering page – lots of opportunities, and variable hour requirements.

(Dear Reader, did you note and reject any use by me of pejorative terms? If not, please re-read this and do so – remember, I expect you to think)

Now, some relocated notes and other comments/information.

Remember that many others are very capably doing this type of work – for instance, the Lucis Trust's Triangles network (which has been running for many decades),   the Correllian Tradition's 'Spiritual War for Peace' (begun in 2014, and see also here and here), the Hope, Peace, Love and Prosperity Spell (also from the Correllian Tradition, in around 2007 or 2008),   the Healing Minute started by the late, great Harry Edwards (held at 10 AM and 10 PM local time each day, and has been running for decades);   the “Network of Light”  meditations;   and   also see here and here – even commercial organisations are getting involved (for instance, see here), there are online groups (e.g. here and here – which I’m not members of, and thus do not know the quality of) and even an app. No doubt there are many others, so, if you don't like what I am suggesting here, but want to be of service, there are many other opportunities for you. I also point out that more than just psychic work is required – activism in the physical world, even if it is “only” writing letters to politicians / the media will help, as will a whole range of other stuff. To stimulate some ideas on this aspect of service, see here , here and here, and, of course, here.

(Please note that I now specifically have a role for (absent) healers on Saturdays, as explained in the Psychic Weather Report posts. Anyone who wishes to be protector has a role every day :) , including – perhaps particularly - the first permanent issue I list below. At all times, on all levels and in ways, BOTH must ALWAYS be BPM in the way they perform such roles.)

If I am ever late getting my Psychic Weather Report up any week, the default plan is to build up energy in the “Shield of Hope” on Sunday, send energy to West Asia / the Middle East on Monday, and then extend that to include Europe on Tuesday, the USA on Wednesday, East and South East Asia on Thursday and Africa on Friday.

Regular sources include the Daily Briefings of the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, “War on the Rocks” (a very US-focused site which also has articles I have concerns about, but also a surprising number of gems),  the Early Warning Project blog, the Justice in Conflict blog, the Political Violence at a Glance blog, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the International Crisis Group, the Middle East Eye, The Hindu, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the BBC, Spiegel International, The Conversation, John Menadue’s blog, Wikipedia’s current events portal, Wendell Williams’ blog, George Monbiot’s website, the Campaign Against Arms Trade, the “Cure Violence” blog, the Inter Press Service Agency (IPS), the Lowy “Interpreter” blog (which occasionally has good links about what is happening in the Pacific), and others.

I apologise for publishing these posts twice (three times today), but Blogger keeps changing my formatting. I can either publish it and then correct the altered formatting and re-publish it, or save and close the post and correct it when I reopen it prior to publishing it, but that leaves an extra copy in my "drafts" folder which I then have to clean up ...

No signature block for these posts.