Sometimes There is a Need to Detach and Reflect

As we all globally witness and participate in the unfolding of world events, those events seem to overwhelm us and we feel helpless to effect change.  There appears to be forces beyond our control that have the control.  This feeling challenges our sense of our eternal nature.  It makes us openly or quietly question the existence of a God, it denies us our sense of eternity, and the purpose of living.

To be clear here, this is not about religion.  Religion, whether we are Christian, Muslim, Jew, or Buddhist, or any other of a number of beliefs is NOT what I am talking about here.  I believe one’s choice of HOW they reflect on their relationship with the Creator and the Creation is more dictated in this reality by where they were born, how they were raised, etc., ie: their Religious Bent.

No, what I am saying is that in the true reality of things, how we contemplate the Creator, the Creation, and our role in the scheme of things is quite personal and the relationship with the Creator and Creation is the most intimate of all the things we “think” about.

Ascension is the goal.  It is to rise above our circumstances, our habits, our behaviors in order to have a more true experience and understanding of reality.  I have come to the place where I believe this ascension process has only two rules.

The First Rule is the quickest path to ascension and a full appreciation of the Creator and the Creation is Love, unconditional love for everyone and everything in the universe.  This tenant is the one lesson that appears in the teachings of what we know and appreciate as the Masters of every religion. Given our experiences with wars, race, politics, being in a state of unconditional love seems both difficult and unattainable for most of us.  I know I am a long way away from achieving that goal.

So, it seems the second rule applies to most of us, the rule of Karma. Because we have been granted full free will by our Creator, we are free to do good things or we can do anything we like for very selfish reasons, including murder, lack of empathy for others, and total disregard for the affect of our actions on others.  However, at some point this Karmic debt must be balanced in order for ascension to proceed.

It seems to me that some of us, while we understand this rule, we still choose build debt on one side of the ledger, that is, do whatever we like in total disregard for this karmic debt, even though we know at some point in eternity there will be a reckoning and balancing of that debt.  Each religion has its version of Hell or “nothingness”.  It also seems to me that some may spend many lifetimes on the dark side and in doing so soon forget how much “debt” we are building.  There are many of those beings present among us during this experience right now, no doubt.

So in our most private of moments, we need to ask ourselves who we are right now and if we are satisfied with who we think we are and where we, as individuals , are going.  Those of us who feel we are not one of the “dark ones”, and yet we are victims of them, feel as though we have been either abandoned by our creator, or worse, there is no creator in the first place.  It is a truly easy conclusion to reach, and no one can deny our logic if we reach such a conclusion.

Well, really is that true?  Two giant pieces of logic kind of slap us in the face.  1). Given the order and mere existence of the universe simply does not support the logic of random non-intelligent creation.  2). Why be conscious in the first place if there is no purpose to it? Again, I want to re-emphasize that I do not consider this a contemplation of religion or how a given religion presents the concept of the Creator and our proscribed way to act in relationship to the Creator’s desires.  Given the size of the universe and the real possibility of the diversity of life within it, that just seems too parochial.  There is a personal more intimate reflection of who we are within each of us. It is this internal dialogue that I am addressing in this rant.  Pontification is best left to prophets, priests, and holy men.

Somehow, we have to remember we are not humans having a spiritual experience, but instead we are spiritual beings having a human experience.  In this state of reflection, surely we understand that we are all of one family, with one origin and one destiny.  When I contemplate this possible reality, two questions arise in my mind.  1). How can any of us allow our family to suffer so? 2). Why do we tolerate dark ones having dominion over us, denying us the happiness we seek and know we could create?

I remember a teaching of Buddha.  Buddha was asked by a man seeking his wisdom “how do I find the happiness I want?”  Buddha replied saying, “First remove the “I” because that is ego, and secondly remove the “want” because that is desire.  What do you have left?”

How Do We Act?

It is said that the question of morality can be contained in two statements.  First, how do we want to treated in any given situation, and two, how do we act? I must agree that the logic of those statements, in the most concise manner, does seem to define well the word “morality” in a universally correct manner.

So let’s take a look at some recent incidences in the terms of morality, and how we, as a collective, have reacted.  Let’s start the crash of 2008.  At first glance, it looked like just the money guys were effected and from a moral point of view we said, “well that’s the karma for greed.”

Then we began to appreciate the huge amount of wealth that had been extracted from us as a price for that greed.  First, there were the retirees who got their first quarterly statement from their 401ks and retirement plans, most lost 30-40%, some even more.  How did we as a moral collective react? And why didn’t we?  We did react, but by being deceived to “look over there” and we created the Tea Party and over-reacted in a more immoral way.  We didn’t demand prosecution of the perpetrators of the scam or more governmental regulations, no we did EXACTLY the opposite, demanding less government and no one pursued those inside and outside the government who were responsible for those reckless acts that destroyed our economy.

Then came the “Housing Crisis”, which was nothing other than a fleecing of a fledgling middle class.  How did we act as a moral collective?  We did nothing.  People were thrown to the street world-wide, not just in the US, and we did nothing as a collective, except feel sorry for “those folks”.

Then came the attack on sovereign funds, in Europe and the US.  We watched as people’s retirement funds disappeared, their jobs vanished, just to pay “the bankers”.  What did we, and are we doing as a moral collective?  Nothing, after all these are financial things between bankers and government officials, right? We watch as police and military battle their own citizens and we are not morally outraged? Who are we? Are we not moved as a collective to people emolliating themselves in Tibet?  Are we not morally outraged as a tyrant such as Assad methodically murders his own people? Are our hearts and brains shut down to such a degree that we are NOT moved to action by a 77 year man in Greece committing suicide on the capital steps because he cannot bring himself to rustle through garbage to find something to eat? I cannot bring myself to believe we are who we appear to be at this moment.

So here we are, and as we speak, the assault on personal liberties, union rights, women’s rights, hell, even the right to be democratically represented in places like Michigan and Wisconsin, continues unabated.  Who are we and what have we morally become?

Most of us watch this on TV unfolding right before our eyes and somehow think it is only happening on TV.  It is not, it is happening to US! This is something that is not just political, this is something that transcends politics.  Those of us in the world, who live in free societies, must understand these actions strike at the core of our beliefs.  Where is the moral outrage?

If we, and I mean each of us individually ,when we look in the mirror, act, how do we act from a moral perspective? It is not about insurrection, revolution, or anger.  We saw that hasn’t really accomplished much in Egypt, or through the efforts of the Occupy movements, or the uprisings in Yemen, Bahrain and Syria, or the riots in Greece, Italy, Spain, France, UK, and the US. We must act to re-establish a moral base in our institutions of government, finance, and education.  I would suggest we all start by going to the closest mirror and take the following pledge.

1). I am a moral person.

2). I cherish freedom and democracy for all peoples.

3). I have a responsibility to everyone to protect our freedoms and dignities.

4). I will act to vote in an informed moral manner.

5). I, personally, will demand of my elected officials, at all levels, to act in a manner consistent with morality.

6). I will do this every day and I will take this pledge every day to remind me of the power of who I am..A Human Being.

If we were all to act collectively, in this manner, this world would change overnight, literally.

The 19^th Century German philosopher, Immanuel Kant wrote:

So once again, How do you act?

Questions, Indictments, and Incitement!

All men, when they stand before the creator, are judged equal.  All men on earth are judged by the amount of money they have accumulated.  I say as above, so below.  It is time we face the reality that we are all guilty of crimes against humanity.  In a world of plenty, our children starve.  In a world of wealth, people are living in squalor.

How is it that we can worship GODS, as just and true, when we act in such horrific ways against our fellow man?  How can we say we are civilized, or how can we say we rule in democratic and just ways when there is so much suffering and sorrow and war in our lands?

We know this is not the correct way, and yet, we do nothing.  We watch our children die, we send our young men to war and they return to homelessness instead of our honor and respect.  O true, we do say the words, but we don’t act.  We forget instead.  We turn our backs instead.  We look to our governments to solve the problems, because after all, what can we do?

Even when it is our own brothers and sisters, we do not respond.  How is it so?  How can it be?  Are we not all of divine nature?  What has us so fearful?  What makes us believe we are not responsible?  What makes us feel so powerless?  This cannot truly be our nature.

The basis of Judeo Christian religion is the story of Adam and Eve.  The core of this story is the fall of mankind, the original sin.  But was it a fall?  Recent manuscripts recovered in Iran tell a different story.  They tell a story of a push rather than a fall. To quote Worldbridger by Juliet and Jiva Carter, Sowelu Publishing (2007).

“AS THE PROGRESSIVE REVELATIONS UNFOLD, SO TOO DOES A HOLONOMIC TEMPLATE FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE FULL HUMAN BLUEPRINT AND A NEW MODEL OF EXISTENCE; A TEMPLATE TO RECOVER HUMANITY’S RESONANCE WITH GEOMETRIES OF LIGHT, RETURNING US AND OUR PLANET TO THE HOLISTIC SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM.”

So now we arrive at this mystical point, 2012.  This heralded time, even from ancient times, has arrived.  What is it?  Why do we sense that something is going to happen?  Why is it so many are beginning to hope?  Maybe, just maybe, the Carters are right.  But if this is true, what is our responsibility to recover humanity’s resonance with geometries of light?

It seems to me it is obvious we should be participating in the recovery and restoration of our full human blueprint.  We must look at one another in the true light of who we are, brothers and sisters all, no exceptions, for we are all simply, but wondrously human.  We must now, in preparation for this time, turn to one another and see what happens when we say to each other, hello, I really see you, or smile, instead of putting our heads down and quietly passing by with eyes averted.

We have seen in recent times that we are not powerless.  The Arab Spring, the occupy movements, and now the Treyyvon Martin events clearly demonstrate our power.  When we decide to act, collectively, our will is imposed, in spite of the oligarchic power structure, and failed public institutions.  We do know how to act in just and passionate manners, commonly and collectively.  Universally we yearn for freedom and justice, and we know it when we see it in its true form.

What am I saying?  We should start a revolution?  Yes, in a way I am, but, not a revolution of violence and death and destruction.  We already have too many of those going on in the world.  No, I am talking about a revolution on a personal level.  The next time you see an injustice, no matter how small, and you feel a need to act, ACT!

Speak up in your community activities, participate in the political process, come to the aid of those in need and encourage others to do the same.  Elevate the people in your community who do good.  Make them heroes and celebrities.  Start today. Whether you are 10 or 90, there is some individual or group that would benefit from your voice or your time. This is not about charity, or giving wealth, this is about us all understanding that our participation in the present, the now, is needed, is important, and is required.  We have a role in our collective destinies.

An old philosopher (I am sorry I have forgotten his name, but not his words) said that every decision in life that we make, we make either from a state of fear or love.  I say we have been making decisions from fear lately and this is time to make more confident decisions based on the love of ourselves and our fellow human beings.  It is time to act in our families, our vocations, and our politics in a unifying manner and not a divisive manner.  Instead of having intolerance for another’s view, let’s have intolerance for rigidity.  Demand debate and compromise in the political process. And as for the treasures of our labor, that just distribution of the wealth be the law of the land.

It is 2012 and I do have hope.  Hope, not acted on is hopelessness, don’t you agree?

Trying to Make Sense of the Madness

When we look at the world from our monitoring perspective, we could be overwhelmed with what we are monitoring right now. Really, can anyone remember any time in history, save the fall of Rome and the onset of the dark ages that has been more chaotic than the present time?

From Nature’s side, we have global warming, with its associated weather extremes, seismic activity unlike any every observed, both in frequency and intensity, and we are experiencing the effects of hyper solar activity that so far has only produced a few power outages and spectacular auroras not being seen to the  middle of the States, Russia, Asia, and Europe since the 19^th century.  Also, there is this lingering question that can’t be “put to bed” about comets, meteorites, and the so-called Planet X, Nibiru, or the Brown Dwarf, depending on whom you are reading.

On the political/social side of the equation, there are 40 some conflicts on-going, governments are being overthrown, and civil disobedience is ongoing in over 150 cities as of this writing.  In addition, the economies of the world are incredibly weak or collapsing, and the lack of will of the oligarchy and politicians to “do the right thing” is stark naked.  One cannot see any positive outcomes in the near future, and certainly can envision “worst case” scenarios unfolding in the next 6 months or year.  Rumors are flying of WW3 sparking off anytime.

So what are we suppose to think and do about all of this?  How do we cope, and in all too many real cases, survive?

If we look at all of the “elements” of this current time, we can see and know from our history there is nothing new here, only now just all at once.  Great earth changes – check, we have done that before.  Greedy and powerful oligarchies running roughshod over the economies of the world-check, our history books are full of accounts of these bastards.  Power hungry politicians prostituting themselves to the powerful-what’s new about that?

So why do we collectively feel that this time is more significant than all the times before?

Maybe, just maybe, it is genetically encoded in our essential being.  It seems that the most accurate prophetic descriptions of these times are contained in the history and culture of the oldest humans on the planets, such as the Hopis, the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia, and the Native South and Central Americans.

And indeed, the current keepers of the knowledge of these peoples have provided the most healing advice for us to consider during the current times.  I provide a few here for your consideration and it is our hope they may even give you a little peace.

Aluna Joy Yaxk’in was advised by The Star Elders that we are now unplugging from the Fourth World and preparing to enter the Fifth World. You may feel disoriented and confused. Know that this is normal, and keep the faith. Expect the unexpected . . . and dream an amazing dream . . . for these are the days you have been waiting for.

Aluna Joy got this advice on his Mundo Maya Unplugged Pilgrimage to Tikal, Guatemala.  On his way home from this trip he had a dream in which the Star Elders spoke to him and relayed the following message:

The ancient ones speak . . .

Your work is almost complete. You have set your ancestors free. You have also set yourselves free. You have readied the temples for new frequencies. You are now in that space between in which to create a new World for yourselves. No guides, angels or guardians will tell you how to create this World. It is time to stand in your own creative power and manifest the Fifth World together.

There are no more messages for you in the Fourth World. All that needed to be transmitted in the Fourth World has been received. The past will not and cannot offer you anything useful at this time. Don’t look back and don’t look outside yourself. The truth is not out there . . . it is in you. Look forward inside yourself for you are your own ancestors, returned to set yourselves free of the limitations of the Fourth World. You have begun to unplug yourselves. You are now ready to prepare for the Fifth World that is just ahead of you.

You are being unplugged from this World. To move forward, you must unplug. This is a time between time; A time for you to prepare. It is now time that you meet the Council of the Fifth World. We are those who came from the future to anchor keys and doorways to the Fifth World. We have left messages for you in sacred sites in the Americas: Palenque, Tikal, Copan and Quirigua are some of the places we have done this. But many sites are still shrouded in jungle . . . yet to be discovered. It doesn’t matter if the sites are discovered. The seals to the Fifth World have been broken free. This is an amazing time for you all.

The Hopi Elders tells us that our Mother Earth and we are going through a purification process prior to entering into the Fifth World.  This Purification is presented here.

Purification involves a number of elements:

Repentance, or rethinking, of the Two-headed Way of Life. This involves commitment, deep knowing that we are all One, acceptance of personal power to create change, and following our inner guidance. It is good to do this in groups, because it reminds us that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Also, as individuals, we are so rooted in our Two-hearted ways that we need others to help point them out to us. Once we as a group have identified and committed to a One-hearted vision, we can begin to live it, first within the group, then increasingly in the outer Two-hearted world. Then like-minded groups may join together to form ‘villages,’ ready for when the Two-hearted Path collapses in ruins.

Sovereignty, or self-respect, and respect for the sovereignty of others. It is also about taking responsibility for our creations and good stewardship for whatever is in our sphere of influence. For example, the Fifth World view of the planet is as a partner to be nurtured rather than as a resource to be consumed and discarded. Also, wealth and abundance will not be hoarded by those whose lands produce it, but will be shared equitably. Finally, any decision about stewardship will never be short-term but will consider the impact on future generations.

Truthfulness. Confusion over ‘what should be’ versus ‘what is’ separates us from the realities of life. We look for quick fixes, Hollywood endings and the latest fads rather than ‘walking the talk’ and ‘doing the work.’ One group may import ‘what works’ from another group and impose it on themselves, but disharmony may result. This leads to strife, conflict, and even war. Other cultures become too complex and collapse under their own weight, thrusting the people into anarchy until new ways are found. This is the inevitable outcome of the Two-hearted Path, and we are seeing its effects now as fewer and fewer Americans believe that government is ‘by the people, for the people.’ Our lives float between hope and fear, unrooted in ‘what is.’ From the moment of our birth, we are indoctrinated into membership of our culture, with prison or asylum awaiting dissenters. We leave school, trained to become ‘another brick in the wall,’ mindlessly perpetuating the Two-hearted Path. The Hopi language has no equivalent of, “I’m busy,” or, “I’m sorry.” Busy-ness and apology are not part of the One-hearted Path; and will not carry us through the collapse of the Fourth World and emergence into the Fifth.

It is an amazing time for us all.  When we look specifically at what is happening in the streets and parks of our cities today, this just may be that “unplugging” occurring.  We need not be frightened.  We need to look optimistically to the future.  The time to blame others is over, but it also the time that each and every one of us demand that every human be treated with dignity and respect.  It is no longer about money, power, or might.  Now is the time for all of us to start taking care of all of us, making this a new world.

May You Always Travel in Peace.

A Little Truth in These Troubled Times

It has been several weeks since I have made an entry to my blog.  To be honest, I was at a lose as to what to focus on as being the most important things we should focus our attention towards

Things are unfolding as predicted concerning the economy, and certainly we all are somewhat shocked and concerned about how the US legislative bodies are playing Russian roulette with the world’s economy. The level of ignorance and hubris has never been more manifest in those bodies in the history of the Union.

It is exactly these events that I have warned in previous articles that could take us to a state of open rebellion.  This should NOT occur.  We have a political process that has never failed the US in it’s history.  Winston Churchill put very well during the early years of World War Two when he said, “The Americans will always do the right thing, after they have tried everything else.”

It is that spirit which inspired me to do this entry, but more than that I had remembered the teachings of the Elders of the Hopi Nation that I have learned a few years back.  It is short but packed with wisdom of how to deal with TODAY.  Here it is in its entirety.  I thank the Elders for this gift and I am sure they will be happy that I share it with you and without further comment.  Enjoy.

“You have been telling people that this is the eleventh hour.
Now you must go back and tell people that this is the hour!
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your Garden.
It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to yourself.
And not look outside of yourself for a leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing very fast.
It is so great and fast that there are those who will be afraid.
They will hold on to the shore.
They will feel that they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say that we must let go of the shore,
push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open,
and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time we are to take nothing personally,
least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do,
our spiritual growth comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones that we have been waiting for.”

- The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation

 

 

Let’s Take A Break and Have Some Fun!

As we are in an extended holiday season with Eid, Hanukkah, and Christmas all happening within these last two months of the year, and as we are reading nothing but one big mess after another in MSM, and as we are apparently globally governed by spoiled little children, I decided we just need a break.  I know I do.  So with the help of WORDPRESS, I have made it snow on my blog.  Have fun with it.  You can control the snow with your mouse. Make it come down sideways if you like!  We really need right now to remember what is was like to be a kid and have some fun.  Happy Holidays Everyone.  Gather your families and express your love and gratitude. Peace, if just for a moment, be on us all everywhere.

Seems Like Too Much Fear and Anxiety

I am reminded in these times of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first inaugural address in which he uttered those famous words; “let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

In today’s noisy background with terrorists, natural disasters, two wars being prosecuted, swine flu, bird flu, global warming, corrupt politicians, and financial gangsters, I try to find a place of quiet to reflect on just what the hell is going on, really!  I also remember “Deep Throat’s” advice, follow the money.

In fact, I make it a daily habit and have reported my findings extensively in my blog. What I know is that since 2007, someone has picked our personal pockets for about $11 Trillion dollars, robbed our national collective treasuries, because I include the EU primarily in the mess, although the GCC states got popped also, for about $20 Trillion collectively.  Add on top of that the cost of the wars and well you see very quickly that all of these events did not just show up on the timeline spontaneously.

It appears that some amount of planning and cooperation has gone into the unfolding of these events.  There are literally hundreds of conspiracy theories, but that is not the focus of my thoughts just now.  My thoughts are centered on how did we let this happen?  I mean collectively we, as Americans and Europeans, sit docile as we are being raped.  Why?

I think the answer comes down to two words, fear and apathy.  Ok, I know I am not saying anything that profound.  However, if you consider that there might be a possibility that those responses were being socially engineered to occur, then that might be another story, wouldn’t it?

I am bringing this all up now because if I am correct in my little theory, then we are collectively about to see the grand finale between now and next spring.  It is just a necessary timing thing.  That means there will be a need to ratchet up the feelings of fear and insecurity.

Some possible coming attractions are:

All out currency war with the yen, dollar, and Euro seeing significant devaluations. Hyperinflation is coming to a country near you.

Red flag minor terrorist attacks in a city near you.

Watch out for inbound asteroids!

Another Trillion plus bailout of the banks will be coming just after the elections.

Official disclosure that there are indeed aliens, lots of them, and they are all not necessarily friendly, so fear all of them, presented in new holographic technology.

Look, I am not a conspiracy nut.  There is just too much disinformation out there to really know anything significantly important.  I am however a lover of patterns.  I have liked patterns ever since my grandfather, whose was a master Indian weaver, taught me the “secret” of the pattern.  Simply stated, if you pay attention closely to the pattern, you will soon see and know what comes next.

The real point is though, that if the pattern exists, then there is a necessity to elevate the sense of helplessness to secure the “final objective”.  This however is predicated on our “conditioned” response to the “events” as they are unfolded.  In this state of anxiety and fear we tend to readily give up our personal freedoms and rights to be “protected”.  What happens if we do not buy it? What if we collectively take FDR’s advice?  Just a thought.  It is late and I have had a lot of coffee.

Let’s Get Back to Being Real

We are facing all kinds of real threats to life as we know it.  The economic crisis threatens to push our country to third world status and most of us out of the middle class.  The so-called war on terrorism seems to be endless and as draining on our national treasury as was King Richard’s Folly.  In any great civilization, the first sign of failure is a common belief that the next generation will NOT be better than the current generation.  We are certainly at that point.

The good news of history, each great new arising civilization that arises from the ashes of the failed and corrupted society happened when the spirit of man was rising once again and inspiring dreams of how it could be if we adhered to what both believers and non-believers agreed was a noble standard of living and the pursuit of fame and fortune.  To create that type of environment and social standard, we have to ask a single fundamental question.  WHY ARE WE HERE?

While we will never be in agreement as to the detailed answer to that question, we can come to an universal concept of that standard.  For me, the answer was so succinctly addressed in a very ancient text, the Kolbrin.

“So long as the soul looks outward only, into the deceptive environment of matter and is satisfied with the material pleasures it finds there, and which its baser body finds compatible, it remains cut off from the greater realm of the spirit. It binds itself to matter, failing to find the greater pleasures always there in the silent depths of its being. Confirmed in his attitude by experiences in a deceptive environment, mortal man becomes convinced that all desirable things lie outside himself. He concludes that satisfaction comes from gaining the things which promote material welfare. This is the folly of the unbalanced man. However, balance is the keyword, for it is equally foolish to turn away from material things altogether. Man is made of earthly things, because it is intended that he should live and express himself on Earth. It is also intended that he should discover his nature through earthly conditions and experiences”. – KOLBRIN

These words are very contemporary.  It addresses the corruption and greed that is endemic.  It describes the follies of material pursuit as the end all.  It urges each of us to take a few moments a day to pursue an understanding of the nature of who we are in a place of quiet and solitude.  And certainly, I think no one would disagree with the fact we so desperately need to seek some balance in this madness that seems to be all about us.

It seems to me that we can sum up the current collective situation we face globally into three distinct pressures.  The first is extremism in religious fervor.  Whether it is Wahabism or Fundamental Christianity, Orthodox Judaism or Mormonism, we need to seek accommodation and reconciliation. There are a million paths to spiritual enlightenment, including seeking no path at all.  It’s all good.

Second, is to assure a reasonable distribution of wealth.  Nothing threatens our global stability more than this single issue.  We should seriously consider the declaration of a jubilee in its truest sense.  If we globally observed a Jubilee year, there would be no crushing debt, nor an imbalance of the very rich and the very poor. Land values would be relatively stable, and inflation and depressions would not occur. It would also result in good government and prosperity.  Although I understand it sounds a bit altruistic, I still put it to you, why wouldn’t it work?

Finally, there is the matter of social justice.  If we are a truly enlightened civilization, and I would think we are still at least a candidate for that honor, then we accept a responsibility to address the gross social injustices that exist today. I would hope that the universal goals for the 21^st century would be to manage the world’s population in such a manner that everyone has universal rights to food, housing, health care, and education.  As I write these words, I already hear all the sighs and groans and the outright laughter from the “500,000,000” club.  However, the facts are we could do just that with the resources we currently possess. It is only a matter of will.

All over the world, people are waking up and standing up.  However, not unlike newborns, they are not sure why they are standing or just what they are standing up for.  In a number of cases, they are being exploited by those who wish to maintain the status quo.  I think the American Tea Party is a very good example how that plays out.

I certainly do not have a clue how we channel this emerging energy into a movement that really positively and fundamentally changes our present course.  All I know is it wouldn’t hurt to collectively decide why we are here and establish some global goals to achieve what we collectively agree are the major reasons we are here in the first place.  Who knows where that would take us.

Every once in awhile you just have to stop and ponder things from these altruistic heights.  My experience when you are then grounded again, you find yourself one more wrung up the ladder.

The Decrees of Fate are Many but the Decrees of Destiny are Few

Destiny can be likened to travelling to a distant city whether or not you wish to make the trip. The way the man gets to the city is his only choice and therefore whatever occurs as a result of his decision is where fate comes in.

When I contemplate all that I am currently observing in the world with wars, natural disasters, and economic hardships, I think about us.  I mean the collective “US”. WE, as mankind have a destiny.  We might not know the ultimate destiny, but we all sense we are moving toward something more.  We sense when we are not moving forward to that destiny, as we collectively sense now.  We have lost what we call  “our spirit” or the “spirit of mankind.”  More realistically we can say it is the collective aspirations of all men.  This universal inspiration sets us apart from all other creatures we are aware of in existence.

I wonder how we allowed ourselves to make the choices we have made or are making.  Would are ancient ancestors look with pride at how far we have progressed or will they be saddened that we are still at war, or that there are still far too many of us hungry, sick, or marred in poverty and victimized on a daily basis?

I also wonder that if our current situation is the decrees of fate that has resulted from the choices we have made, then why do we feel so powerless to change those choices?  Let’s be honest here.  On an individual basis, we all are sickened at how many of our finest young men and women are dying in distant wars we know little about and yet as individuals we do nothing more than lip service on occasion to change it. Why?

We all know that a very few have a vastly disproportionate amount of the collective wealth and they are amassing even more everyday and we know they are not using their wealth in any meaningful way for the betterment of all.  Yet we allow them the continued privilege that such wealth generates.  Why?

I understand the wisdom that a man realizes more readily the depth of his soul when confronted with disaster than while sitting in the lap of luxury, but where are WE right now?  For me it came down to some pretty basic stuff.  Do I really have a soul and do I really have a destiny?  For me, the answer to both questions is yes. While trials and tribulations are the tuition of a soul, we have choices, choices as individuals and collective choices.

I feel I am on fairly solid ground here.  This has nothing to do with religious dogma or belief systems.  I don’t pretend to have even the slightest clue to the “TRUTH”.  I think even most agnostics or atheists you would meet would agree that you cannot rule out the possibilities of some sort of eternal  or dimensional existence.

So why am I rambling about this now?  Is it too much coffee or not enough sleep?  No, it’s the stories of people having their retirement plans so impacted that they must continue to work well past 65, or 4500 children dying every minute of starvation or disease.  It is the agony and pain of women, children, and the elderly caught in the vise grips of war and conflict.  It is the deterioration of our systems of education and infrastructure.  It is 2 million families that will be thrown from their homes in just America this year.

Can WE not do better than this?  What is really stopping us from drinking from the Chalice of Fulfillment?  When will these unnecessary hardships and suffering actually become intolerable to us?  Please do not misunderstand what I am trying to say, I really don’t have any of the answers, only the questions.

I know it is easier for the soul in each of us to devolve rather than evolve, but it seems we are almost severed from that which we call the “spirit of man”.  That same spirit that created England and the Magna Carta.  The same spirit that sparked the French and American Revolution. The same spirit that allowed the world to survive two major global wars.

It seems to me that we should re-empower OURSELVES as individuals. We need to reconnect to our spirit of who we are and then collectively we need to clean this mess up pronto.  What say you?

Global Warming is Real, But Cap and Trade Schemes Right Now Could Be a Disaster!

I rarely weigh in on issues of religion, politics, or the environment.  However, our country along with several others, are really concerned of the financial impacts of the most popular cap and trade schemes to cap the total amount of CO2 going into the atmosphere.  I share that concern.  My concerns are based on several factors.

First and foremost, while we cannot doubt that CO2 building up in our atmosphere is a cause of heat trapping from the sun.  There is also no doubt that other greenhouse gases such as sulfur dioxide (NOx) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can contribute in ways that have very long term consequences.  However, there still isn’t anyone who can honestly and scientifically say that these man-made impacts are the CAUSE of global warming.  A contributing factor, yes, but the singular cause, no. There are two big problems with that theory.  First, natural activities such as volcanic eruptions and large forest fires can, in single events, emit more greenhouse gases in one event than man does in a year.  Secondly, while NASA has not made it public, global warming is occurring with our neighbors as well.  Mars, especially, seems to be impacted as much as we have here on earth.  While it would be easy and politically simple to say the sun is to blame, that does not seem to be supported by the sun’s activity of late.  However, it does seem we are seeing some cooling globally that can be related to the lack of sun activity the last few years.

Secondly, any cap and trade schemes are hugely unfair to developing countries.  Countries in Africa and South America would be at disadvantage and development would be delayed in those countries because their baselines would be established at very low levels and the developed countries would no doubt exploit the credits that could come from those countries.

CO2 credit auctions are already in place in the EU and the US.  So, how’s that working out?  Are my fears unfounded?  Well it doesn’t seem so.  This from WatchDog.org

New Jersey Watchdog’s battle over the “secret” records of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s cap-and-trade auctions will be waged in a Trenton courtroom.  Investigative reporter Mark Lagerkvist filed suit against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in Mercer County Superior Court for “wrongfully and knowingly” denying access.  Under the state Open Public Records Act (OPRA), Lagerkvist is asking the court to order NJDEP to release documents showing who bought what at RGGI’s auctions of carbon dioxide emission allowances.

In its first eight auctions, RGGI sold $662 million in CO-2 allowances, including $72 million in New Jersey permits.  Those costs are eventually passed along to consumers in higher electric rates.  At the auctions, utilities competed with speculators and financial heavyweights like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lunch and JPMorgan Chase, as reported by New Jersey Watchdog last month in an investigative report – “The Secrets Ten States & Wall Street Don’t Want You to Know.” Authorities have refused to identify auction winners and how many permits each purchased.

New Jersey Watchdog initially sought the records from RGGI, but the New York-based regional non-profit cooperative contends it is not a public agency subject to OPRA.  The next request went to NJDEP, the agency that supervises New Jersey’s participation in RGGI.  NJDEP claims it does not have the requested records – despite regulations mandating the agency to approve auction results, issue permits to winning bidders and oversee the allowance tracking system.

Banks like JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs already have active carbon trading desks that deal in instruments connected to Europe’s cap-and-trade system and voluntary markets here. But business will explode if a cap-and-trade system becomes law. So it’s no surprise that the financial industry has taken an intense interest in the fine print of the Waxman-Markey bill. According to data compiled by the Center for Public Integrity, the financial services industry has 130 lobbyists working on climate issues, compared to almost none in 2003. They represent companies like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and AIG (before it was shamed into temporarily halting its lobbying activities last fall).

“BP supports an economy-wide price for carbon based on fair and equitable application across all sectors and believes that market based solutions, like a cap and trade or linked-fee, are the best solutions to manage GHG emissions.” (Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, U.S. House Of Representatives, Hearing, 6/15/10).

At this time when the world’s economy is in such a fragile state, and you got players like Goldman Sach and BP suddenly becoming “Green” we have to be concerned.  This is a politically loaded issue, but it should be only an environmental issue.  Given all that has come to light in recent months about fudged data, over estimates of ice melts, and now all of a sudden, cap and trade auctions that are cloaked in secrecy, I think we all, environmentalists included, should pause and really consider the full financial impacts that would be created by these cap and trade schemes which seem on the surface to be logical, but on closer examination may be just another scheme by the PTB and banksters to capture and control the global wealth.  Just a thought, but it is one we should look at very closely.  If we don’t it might just be the proverbial last straw that kills the global economy permanently.  Well at least for 99% of world’s people.