The Challenges of a
' Me Centred' World
' Me Centred' World
Recent events and history reveal a
growing challenge for our human family. Our societies are in danger of
fragmenting and splitting into egocentric and small minded factions. Events in
the UK , have revealed an
growing and underlying tendency towards prejudice and racism. This is not new,
I have personally both experienced it and been aware of it for over 50 years. It is important that we all face this
challenge with courage and do our best to counteract the growth of intolerance and prejudice.
All prejudice is based on, and
rooted in, fear and ignorance. This
mainly shows itself as fear of difference. Any difference in race, culture,
ethnicity, education etc can be easily perceived
as a threat . We can all find it much easier and more comfortable to gather
together with our 'own kind' . This tendency
can then be expressed in potentially dangerous forms of nationalism or
the many other 'isms' that divide
people from each other. These 'isms' are then often wrapped up in divisive flags and banners and waved in a threatening manner at others who are different. It is also unfortunate that many who seek power and position can too readily use this human tendency towards 'isms' for their own ends.
Some recent events in the UK show the underlying
ignorance that feeds this prejudice and fear. It seems that many people fail to
realise that humanity shares a common 'home'. As a species we all walked out of Africa. ( for those who doubt
this , check it out on Google ! ) As we developed and evolved we became a
wonderfully diverse and rich species in
areas of race, ethnicity , culture and
religions. We are all passengers and crew members on a small 'ship' we call Earth. It is floating in the vast seas of an expanding Cosmos. Our 'ship' which we also refer to as ' Mother Earth' faces many challenges and urgently needs us all to work together . We are made primarily for cooperation and not for competition. The latter can lead us towards selfishness, greed and fear of strangers and difference.
It is important to realise that we struggle with a brain , whose
most primitive and earliest part is wired
for anxiety and fear and thus needs to be regulated and controlled by reason
and compassion. The latter are the parts of our brain that evolved more
recently and give us a great ability to
empathise with and develop compassion for others.
A combination of fear and prejudice
can be toxic and requires that we all
act to counteract and dilute it. Our
task as compassionate and loving people is to strive to remain calm but also
vigilant. To be willing to stand up and speak out against any tendency towards intolerance , ignorance and
prejudice. For me the following is a useful and daily reminder of our primary task as compassionate beings :
Seeking Together - Helping to Create - A Planetary Vision and a Universal Heart of Compassion
