There is much we can do to take back control of our lives, individually and collectively.
We cannot change much about our own lives if the society around us actively prevents us doing so. Conversely, how much society can change is dependent upon how much the sum of our collective thinking can change. Thus, the lives we live as individuals and the societies in which we live are intimately intertwined. It is changes in both that will enable us all to have different lives, so we will need to change both to bring about a better life for all.
While it may seem to some that we should start by making our own lives better if we are to be fit for changing the society around us, there are some that are abusing their position in societies so much that we cannot wait to start making changes to societies. These changes will have to happen in tandem and as they are made, we will adapt and learn what other changes we need to make – individually and collectively – to bring about an equitable future that supports us all and the earth.
What might interest you are: 1 5 10 15 20 △ Reality vs la-la land We have free will, with which we can choose what to believe. We can choose to only see what is in front of us, but we can also choose to believe things about which we have no proof. When the latter consistently ignores reality, we venture into la-la land. Addiction mongering In Buddhism, one path of the 8-fold path is right livelihood or right mode of living. This is not just about our jobs, but about what behaviours we engage in and how they affect others. Cultural programming △ We are bombarded with a lot of ideas about what we should focus our attention upon. Some are opportunistic, but many are part of a much broader agenda. Bitterness and resentment Bitterness comes from a continued holding onto the entitlements or prestige we expected we were due, but were thwarted by the actions of others or life circumstances. Mindset is not belief Many seem to push the idea that changing our thoughts and views of things is all that is needed to change our lives, but there is much more to it. Seek validation within, not from others △ For much of the time, we are obsessed with what others think of us. This is a recipe for neurosis and fear. Self-awareness – taking back control Self-awareness comes from focussing our consciousness upon the nature of our own thoughts, feeling and actions, rather than just reacting to life's experiences and challenges. Making changes to our lives Through our own or another's insights, we may have seen some new possibilities for our lives. At times, that is enough to take charge of our lives. At others, we may need help or consult with others. Mastering life △ Life is not about conquering obstacles, but learning to not be the obstacle. Heroes to dictators Many countries emerged from struggles with colonial oppression, only to have their once heroes turn into the oppressors. Now this disease is spreading to middle-class democracies. Ideologies – enemies of free will? Having ideals towards which to work is good, but if they are not flexible, as they aren't in most ideologies, they can become a yoke on thinking, preventing growth. Political bias reference point △ When we need to make political decisions, as when voting or what we choose to read, we are making our choice around some idea of what the balance point is, but is it really balanced? Lessons from COVID-19 When a new virus appears, we can expect that mistakes will be made as governments learn to tackle it. However, viruses can be unforgiving and if the lessons are not learnt, people will die. Neoliberalism serves psychopaths For the last few decades, the idea of government as protectors of their citizens has been shifted to protecting those who don't care about those citizens. Conservatism △ Conservatism is the latest term for what is essentially the ideology that the rich and powerful have been following ruthlessly for millennia. Political parties It is hard to imagine any modern democracy without political parties, but their very nature and modus operandi undermines the democratic process. Religious freedom = Legal discrimination We all have the freedom to believe what we want, and governments should allow us that. However, religions are filled with discrimination and restrictions in thought and action not allowed elsewhere. Personality growth is not spiritual growth △ There are a plethora of self-help gurus trying to push us to buy into the idea that improving the personality is paramount, and achievable by following some regime religiously. But is that really what our lives are about? Spirituality and society are intertwined Spirituality is often seen as separate from society, or that too much focus upon societal concerns will detract from spiritual growth. The spiritual path There are many glamours and much disinformation about what walking a spiritual path involves. Time to be more grounded about it.