How is the situation for humans and human rights in China?
China is in fast development. The China of today is very different from the China under the cultural revolution.
The cultural revolution between 1966 and 1976 was a very drastic period which caused immense upheaval and difficulties for many citizens. Humans and human rights were not respected.
Neither the communist ideals, nor the methods or the results were acceptable according to western ideas.
The image of China might still be influenced by this period. But China of today is very different. Education and prosperity is most important here as in the rest of the world.
Ideologically, China is now a communist capitalist state. It should have been interesting to hear what Karl Marx feels about this. Is China the fulfillment of his deepest dreams, or is it a disgrace ideologically?
One party capitalism is very efficient in implementing political ideas. The multi party liberalism of India is not quite as efficient.
The back side of an one party political system is that local party bosses can misuse their power without being punished. This is a problem in China of today. How big is it? Impossible to say for certain, but it is bigger than it should be.
More of openness for the press and more of independence for the legal system would be an improvement. The presence of Internet might open for more of free debate.
The present government in Beijing has made some promising contacts with old enemies as Taiwan and Japan. But Tibet remains a problem.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Removing suffering
Easter is approaching, and the Christian Easter is in remembrance of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and later returning to life. The death of Jesus Christ is seen as a sacrificial offering for atoning for the sins of humanity.
The idea that the sins of one person can be taken away by another person seems to exist in most religions. But there are different opinions about the problem to be solved. Is it sin, suffering or the wrath of the Gods?
Shantideva, who was a scholar in the Buddhist tradition, is analysing the matter in Bodhicaryavatara. (Chapter 8, Meditation 101 - 108.) In Buddhism there is no sin, but suffering.
First he claims that suffering has no proper owner. Suffering belongs to no one.
This is different from the Christian tradition where sin always has an owner. By doing a sinful action, the individual becomes the owner of sin. But the suffering caused by the sinner hits another individual. This person might be without sin (in this case) but will nevertheless suffer the consequences.
Does this mean that the death of Jesus atones for the bad guy, but leaves the victim alone in the distress? The sins of the victim are also atoned for, but what about the suffering?
In the Buddhist tradition, the problem is suffering and not sin. Even if suffering has no owner it exists. It should be prevented and removed.
"If the suffering of one ends the suffering of many, then one who has compassion for others and himself must cause that suffering to arise." (8-105)
Those who have understood that the suffering of others is as important as the things they themselves hold dear "plunge down into the Avici hell as geese into a cluster of lotus blossoms" (107), Shantideva claims.
Maybe you could add that in order to plunge down voluntarily into the hell you should trust in having a remedy against the suffering of others. Which is the mechanism making it possible for one to take away the suffering of others?
The answer could be in the question of ownership. Removing suffering is the same as releasing the voluntary ownership of suffering adopted by those who suffer. The moment they realise they do not have to carry this burden, the suffering is gone.
The idea that the sins of one person can be taken away by another person seems to exist in most religions. But there are different opinions about the problem to be solved. Is it sin, suffering or the wrath of the Gods?
Shantideva, who was a scholar in the Buddhist tradition, is analysing the matter in Bodhicaryavatara. (Chapter 8, Meditation 101 - 108.) In Buddhism there is no sin, but suffering.
First he claims that suffering has no proper owner. Suffering belongs to no one.
This is different from the Christian tradition where sin always has an owner. By doing a sinful action, the individual becomes the owner of sin. But the suffering caused by the sinner hits another individual. This person might be without sin (in this case) but will nevertheless suffer the consequences.
Does this mean that the death of Jesus atones for the bad guy, but leaves the victim alone in the distress? The sins of the victim are also atoned for, but what about the suffering?
In the Buddhist tradition, the problem is suffering and not sin. Even if suffering has no owner it exists. It should be prevented and removed.
"If the suffering of one ends the suffering of many, then one who has compassion for others and himself must cause that suffering to arise." (8-105)
Those who have understood that the suffering of others is as important as the things they themselves hold dear "plunge down into the Avici hell as geese into a cluster of lotus blossoms" (107), Shantideva claims.
Maybe you could add that in order to plunge down voluntarily into the hell you should trust in having a remedy against the suffering of others. Which is the mechanism making it possible for one to take away the suffering of others?
The answer could be in the question of ownership. Removing suffering is the same as releasing the voluntary ownership of suffering adopted by those who suffer. The moment they realise they do not have to carry this burden, the suffering is gone.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The homely underworld
There must be an underworld, but must it be bad? If the Alice of today fell down to the reality below, would she not end up in a homely, updated world, a university for purification of remaining dirt in cosmos?
The underworld is the home of the asuras. They are traditionally a sad lot. Very talented but always dissatisfied. Failures of the highest class. They are those falling between.
They are below the finest group, often called gods. They are the ever young surfers in California and Australia without problems or difficulties. As long as it lasts.
Below asuras are we normal human beings. We are not so smart, but we have something unique. That is the chance to leave this round of existences and move on to other worlds. Few of us do, but we have this opportunity because of the special combination of disturbances and opportunities.
So asuras are those who missed the train to other planets, and now remain without a really good purpose. So far many of them thrive as secret agents.
But the role of the secret agents has changed, has it not? The best is not any more to find out military secrets but to eliminate the threat of conflict.
It is a tricky question. Too difficult for the general debate. Something for secret conspiracies and unexpected unions? Something that need knowledge of different cultures, different historical traditions and the deepest psychology...
The underworld is the home of the asuras. They are traditionally a sad lot. Very talented but always dissatisfied. Failures of the highest class. They are those falling between.
They are below the finest group, often called gods. They are the ever young surfers in California and Australia without problems or difficulties. As long as it lasts.
Below asuras are we normal human beings. We are not so smart, but we have something unique. That is the chance to leave this round of existences and move on to other worlds. Few of us do, but we have this opportunity because of the special combination of disturbances and opportunities.
So asuras are those who missed the train to other planets, and now remain without a really good purpose. So far many of them thrive as secret agents.
But the role of the secret agents has changed, has it not? The best is not any more to find out military secrets but to eliminate the threat of conflict.
It is a tricky question. Too difficult for the general debate. Something for secret conspiracies and unexpected unions? Something that need knowledge of different cultures, different historical traditions and the deepest psychology...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Merit
The Buddhist tradition is very intellectual, and the written material is much bigger than any individual can read during a life. So, from a position of having read just a fraction, trying to boil down the ideas into just two words, these words would be emptiness and merit.
Emptiness is the Buddhist description of reality. The full understanding of this is very sophisticated.
One very important aspect of emptiness is absence of self nature. Everything is created by causes and conditions.
This means that if we want a good life we have to get the right causes and conditions.
And good causes and conditions are made by merit.
We get merit by having a positive attitude towards others in everything we do.
Doing typically good things as help to heal and to be of service for those who need service gives merit if we mean what we do. We can also get merit by having a positive attitude in situations which are not typically good.
Emptiness is the Buddhist description of reality. The full understanding of this is very sophisticated.
One very important aspect of emptiness is absence of self nature. Everything is created by causes and conditions.
This means that if we want a good life we have to get the right causes and conditions.
And good causes and conditions are made by merit.
We get merit by having a positive attitude towards others in everything we do.
Doing typically good things as help to heal and to be of service for those who need service gives merit if we mean what we do. We can also get merit by having a positive attitude in situations which are not typically good.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The ultimate step
One hundred years ago, a classic was a book that was maybe 2 000 years old. These days the classics of 2005 are hardly remembered any more.
The tempo is increasing, not only in literature, art and science. E-mail is considered a bit old and slow compared to twitter.
The good aspect of the new electronic media is that more and more individuals are involved and active in the brain processing process - we learn more and we do more of thinking and analysing.
We do not only absorb new information, we want to take the next step. In this process, quickness becomes the most important quality.
In reality there are no linear processes. The present trend will not continue for ever. It will bend or it will be confronted with its opposite.
Which will be the next trend? Which is the ultimate step that can be taken from the present position of breathless brain rush?
The traditional pendulum is from political left to right and back again. But it is not likely that the present mode of openness will switch back to old conservatism.
What the society needs is more refinement, more individuality and more constructive diversity.
The tempo is increasing, not only in literature, art and science. E-mail is considered a bit old and slow compared to twitter.
The good aspect of the new electronic media is that more and more individuals are involved and active in the brain processing process - we learn more and we do more of thinking and analysing.
We do not only absorb new information, we want to take the next step. In this process, quickness becomes the most important quality.
In reality there are no linear processes. The present trend will not continue for ever. It will bend or it will be confronted with its opposite.
Which will be the next trend? Which is the ultimate step that can be taken from the present position of breathless brain rush?
The traditional pendulum is from political left to right and back again. But it is not likely that the present mode of openness will switch back to old conservatism.
What the society needs is more refinement, more individuality and more constructive diversity.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The danger of knowledge
On social media on Internet as Face book and others many individuals publish information about themselves which can be misunderstood. The photo of yourself from the last party might be an obstacle while applying for a new job, for example.
This is a new phenomenon. More people than before experience the danger of knowledge. It is a danger or at least a problem that others can have this knowledge about you.
But the problem is not new. It is only the size and its openness that is new.
There has always been files with disturbing facts about people in many places. Secret agencies, police, social security, schools, work places, news media are all interested in disturbing facts about people.
Normally this is very secret, in particular for the individual concerned. The new thing is that the concerned individuals suddenly can see how information about them can be used.
This is obviously a chock for many. What is perfectly normal and socially accepted in one situation is most controversial in another context.
There is a problem here, but it is not in knowledge but in the interpretation of facts. You could say it is about the ability to read.
Most of us would say we know how to read. But many of us read as a computer, word for word. This is of course a very limited way of understanding language. It misses out most of the information in a text.
If we know how to read, in the meaning of understanding context and subtext and overtones, there would be no danger. Then we could read everything for what it is worth, and thus avoid misunderstanding.
The advantage of the debate about information in social media is that we can imagine the difficulties of the traditional secret handling of disturbing information. How many problems have been created in the past by putting a piece of information in the wrong context?
This is a new phenomenon. More people than before experience the danger of knowledge. It is a danger or at least a problem that others can have this knowledge about you.
But the problem is not new. It is only the size and its openness that is new.
There has always been files with disturbing facts about people in many places. Secret agencies, police, social security, schools, work places, news media are all interested in disturbing facts about people.
Normally this is very secret, in particular for the individual concerned. The new thing is that the concerned individuals suddenly can see how information about them can be used.
This is obviously a chock for many. What is perfectly normal and socially accepted in one situation is most controversial in another context.
There is a problem here, but it is not in knowledge but in the interpretation of facts. You could say it is about the ability to read.
Most of us would say we know how to read. But many of us read as a computer, word for word. This is of course a very limited way of understanding language. It misses out most of the information in a text.
If we know how to read, in the meaning of understanding context and subtext and overtones, there would be no danger. Then we could read everything for what it is worth, and thus avoid misunderstanding.
The advantage of the debate about information in social media is that we can imagine the difficulties of the traditional secret handling of disturbing information. How many problems have been created in the past by putting a piece of information in the wrong context?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Soul and mind
There is a lot of knowledge about control of the physical body. Too much knowledge really, about torture, imprisonment and different metods for creating pain.
Lately the control of the human mind has increased. There is a lot of knowledge about drugs and psychological means for influencing the mind of an individual.
Next in turn is control of the soul. The soul is a religious term for the innermost identity of a person. In non religions contexts the word self is used.
The soul is probably elusive for normal methods of coercion. You can not hold a soul in the same way you can hold a physical body. And the soul is above the chemical, electrical, electronical and optical processes of mind.
The soul is the most essential aspect of a human being, but nevertheless we can ignore it totally. We can turn our awareness elsewhere; to our body and to the external world.
This is probably very true for those trying to control others. If we have a good contact with our soul, we know that we should support others instead of trying to control them.
The soul can not be controlled, but there is no need for controlling the soul. It is the controller of all, and its control is in the atmosphere of positivity and support for life.
This attitude is of course in a way in conflict with power ambitions resting on particular interests or indviduals.
But in a full analysis we would find that biased interests have a limitation which is unacceptavble in the light of the soul. So eventually we are all soul-supporters.
The control of body and mind is a difficult and sordid matter. It should be replaced with awareness of the soul power.
Lately the control of the human mind has increased. There is a lot of knowledge about drugs and psychological means for influencing the mind of an individual.
Next in turn is control of the soul. The soul is a religious term for the innermost identity of a person. In non religions contexts the word self is used.
The soul is probably elusive for normal methods of coercion. You can not hold a soul in the same way you can hold a physical body. And the soul is above the chemical, electrical, electronical and optical processes of mind.
The soul is the most essential aspect of a human being, but nevertheless we can ignore it totally. We can turn our awareness elsewhere; to our body and to the external world.
This is probably very true for those trying to control others. If we have a good contact with our soul, we know that we should support others instead of trying to control them.
The soul can not be controlled, but there is no need for controlling the soul. It is the controller of all, and its control is in the atmosphere of positivity and support for life.
This attitude is of course in a way in conflict with power ambitions resting on particular interests or indviduals.
But in a full analysis we would find that biased interests have a limitation which is unacceptavble in the light of the soul. So eventually we are all soul-supporters.
The control of body and mind is a difficult and sordid matter. It should be replaced with awareness of the soul power.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Potential
The power of people is immense. It should be measured systematically. We want a United Nation report annually about the present human potential globally, as expressed as an index of the number of individuals, their status in health and education and their potential for personal and social contribution - independently of political and social restrictions.
If we made such an analysis, we would probably find that we can turn this small earth into a paradise of nice environment with affluence in economy and knowledge for all. The potential is there.
Why is not this potential realised? There are problems everywhere. In nations like Europe, USA and Japan the problems of decay are getting worse. The legal systems have holes. The social security can not live up to promises. Economy is shaky.
In other countries like China, India, Brazil and Russia progress is fast against a background of poverty.
We are used to slow progress and constant conflicts and set backs. But why? The answer is that we did not know better.
But now we do, maybe.
It is a matter of mind, ideal and organisation. The greatest resource we have, human mind, is split into seven billions independent unities. This is not bad by itself, but it represents a difficulty of coordination.
The present ideal in the world is growth but it should be sustainability. Growth without limit is impossible and a sickness like cancer. Sustainability is growth and consumption in harmony. The quality is often in less rather than in quantity.
Organisation is the big problem. We all know what is best, we feel. But obviously we are wrong. The best is not realised.
Before we can get anything we have to have an idea of it. We need a map of the nice future. If we create such a map, the obstacles of bad governing, bad traditions and dogmas and misuse of individuals should stop.
If we made such an analysis, we would probably find that we can turn this small earth into a paradise of nice environment with affluence in economy and knowledge for all. The potential is there.
Why is not this potential realised? There are problems everywhere. In nations like Europe, USA and Japan the problems of decay are getting worse. The legal systems have holes. The social security can not live up to promises. Economy is shaky.
In other countries like China, India, Brazil and Russia progress is fast against a background of poverty.
We are used to slow progress and constant conflicts and set backs. But why? The answer is that we did not know better.
But now we do, maybe.
It is a matter of mind, ideal and organisation. The greatest resource we have, human mind, is split into seven billions independent unities. This is not bad by itself, but it represents a difficulty of coordination.
The present ideal in the world is growth but it should be sustainability. Growth without limit is impossible and a sickness like cancer. Sustainability is growth and consumption in harmony. The quality is often in less rather than in quantity.
Organisation is the big problem. We all know what is best, we feel. But obviously we are wrong. The best is not realised.
Before we can get anything we have to have an idea of it. We need a map of the nice future. If we create such a map, the obstacles of bad governing, bad traditions and dogmas and misuse of individuals should stop.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Mind made world
The world we live in is mind-made. At least if we live in a city, which most of us do. Every building, every stone in the pavement is decided by mind. Even the scraps of papers thrown on the street are decided by mind.
The big cities themselves are magnificent manifestations of the creativity of mind. Great.
But every big city is also a manifestation of the shortcomings of mind. The shortcomings are sometimes very obvious, as slum areas.
In the free countries the difficult sectors are individually decided - individuals move to the city without asking. In dictatorships like the old east European countries the difficulties were decided centrally.
In every city there is a balance between construction and destruction. This might have a certain positive value. All of the old should not be preserved. But sometimes the destruction or lack of progress seems a bit unnecessary.
As everything is mind made, we could ask: Can we help minds in a better way than before. We do a lot to improve mind activities by education, social contacts and mass media.
Obviously this is not good enough.
One way to improve the situation is by lowering birth rate. One cause for problems is the influx of new minds without education. We are all born without education. Lowering of birth rate is under way in many countries, and this is very good.
Another way would be to understand mind. Everything positive or negative a person does has its foundation and cause in the mind of the individual.
This is illustrated in the Tibetan tradition with a dorje, which is a ritual object. It shows two spaces or rooms. One room is the external reality where things are manifested, and the other room is the internal reality in the mind of the individual.
In order to manifest externally in a positive way, the internal room must to be in order. As there are so many negative manifestations going on, we know that the internal room is not very harmonious in many individuals.
This can change. Mind is extremely plastic. It can unlearn old outdated knowledge and learn new things.
The big cities themselves are magnificent manifestations of the creativity of mind. Great.
But every big city is also a manifestation of the shortcomings of mind. The shortcomings are sometimes very obvious, as slum areas.
In the free countries the difficult sectors are individually decided - individuals move to the city without asking. In dictatorships like the old east European countries the difficulties were decided centrally.
In every city there is a balance between construction and destruction. This might have a certain positive value. All of the old should not be preserved. But sometimes the destruction or lack of progress seems a bit unnecessary.
As everything is mind made, we could ask: Can we help minds in a better way than before. We do a lot to improve mind activities by education, social contacts and mass media.
Obviously this is not good enough.
One way to improve the situation is by lowering birth rate. One cause for problems is the influx of new minds without education. We are all born without education. Lowering of birth rate is under way in many countries, and this is very good.
Another way would be to understand mind. Everything positive or negative a person does has its foundation and cause in the mind of the individual.
This is illustrated in the Tibetan tradition with a dorje, which is a ritual object. It shows two spaces or rooms. One room is the external reality where things are manifested, and the other room is the internal reality in the mind of the individual.
In order to manifest externally in a positive way, the internal room must to be in order. As there are so many negative manifestations going on, we know that the internal room is not very harmonious in many individuals.
This can change. Mind is extremely plastic. It can unlearn old outdated knowledge and learn new things.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Multi culture
When USA entered the first world war and sent soldiers to Europe, some Europeans were surprised that the American soldiers considered themselves to be American. They were not American. Many of them were fresh immigrants from different countries. But they were ready to fight and die under the American flag.
In Europe at that time nationality was an issue of life and death. For a french person it could mean death just to talk to a German.
These days things are different. Thanks to EU, Europe has had a long time of peace. Never before in the history of that continent has there been so much peace for so long.
We see that the ability to live together and accept cultural differences is not about culture or nations, but about mind.
Is it in accordance with human nature to live in peace? Well, yes and no. The no answer seems to be the most obvious. There has been a lot of wars during history,
But the yes alternative is stronger.´If we have a chance to choose, we are easily convinced of the advantages of peaceful cooperation.
But if we want a stable peace we have to look into the deepest recesses of mind. What will we find there? We did find Nazism not that long ago.
The factor that could cause war could be called a dirty will to power. We all have a will to power. But it is only when it is dirty and infected that it becomes a serious threat.
Dirt and infection in mind is always adventitious, according to Buddhist psychology. So there is room for optimism.
Dirt and infection in mind can be eliminated by being exposed to light and awareness. And in the modern world with a high level of education and information all individuals can take part in this enlightenment.
So globalization and the meeting of cultures could by itself be a peace supporting process.
In Europe at that time nationality was an issue of life and death. For a french person it could mean death just to talk to a German.
These days things are different. Thanks to EU, Europe has had a long time of peace. Never before in the history of that continent has there been so much peace for so long.
We see that the ability to live together and accept cultural differences is not about culture or nations, but about mind.
Is it in accordance with human nature to live in peace? Well, yes and no. The no answer seems to be the most obvious. There has been a lot of wars during history,
But the yes alternative is stronger.´If we have a chance to choose, we are easily convinced of the advantages of peaceful cooperation.
But if we want a stable peace we have to look into the deepest recesses of mind. What will we find there? We did find Nazism not that long ago.
The factor that could cause war could be called a dirty will to power. We all have a will to power. But it is only when it is dirty and infected that it becomes a serious threat.
Dirt and infection in mind is always adventitious, according to Buddhist psychology. So there is room for optimism.
Dirt and infection in mind can be eliminated by being exposed to light and awareness. And in the modern world with a high level of education and information all individuals can take part in this enlightenment.
So globalization and the meeting of cultures could by itself be a peace supporting process.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
No more poverty
How long would it take to totally abolish global poverty? It could take one week, but as there are practical differences it might take a full month.
The method is to give every living individual a bank account with one million dollars.
This would invert the economical model used so far from being based on poverty to one being based on need.
If we all were millionaires we could buy what we really need - be it food, housing, education or whatever. The factual economy would increase as never before.
If we all were millionaires the magic of money would be lost. Money would be like air, necessary but always available. Nothing to fight for.
Economical migration could stop or be more like tourism. Tensions between nations and social groups would soften.
The tedious struggle for survival for the day would change into a meaningful search for the nice and lovely. Billions of individuals would be free.
For some groups there is already excess of money. Some of it is spent on luxury as nice hospital care for the heart attacks, nervous break downs and problems with addiction. But most of those very rich drive a small car and eat hamburger.
So what are we waiting for?
The method is to give every living individual a bank account with one million dollars.
This would invert the economical model used so far from being based on poverty to one being based on need.
If we all were millionaires we could buy what we really need - be it food, housing, education or whatever. The factual economy would increase as never before.
If we all were millionaires the magic of money would be lost. Money would be like air, necessary but always available. Nothing to fight for.
Economical migration could stop or be more like tourism. Tensions between nations and social groups would soften.
The tedious struggle for survival for the day would change into a meaningful search for the nice and lovely. Billions of individuals would be free.
For some groups there is already excess of money. Some of it is spent on luxury as nice hospital care for the heart attacks, nervous break downs and problems with addiction. But most of those very rich drive a small car and eat hamburger.
So what are we waiting for?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Where is the front?
The map over Israel and its neighboring region is complicated, and so is the political conflict in the area. If there is a war, where is the front line?
The answer is: In the USA. That is where the front line in the Middle East conflict is found.
If the US administration wants some kind of peace settlement around Israel, the first task is to get an agreement among the many supporters of the Israeli cause in USA and elsewhere.
The question is not that difficult. The first one is about the existence of the state of Israel. Is this existence questioned? No, absolute not. Israel will remain. So far so good.
Next question: Is it best for Israel to have fixed or fluid borders? Fluid borders means that an informal expansion can take place in the form of settlements on occupied territories.
This question is also quite simple. Would it be correct for Mexico to have a fluid border to USA and build settlements in Texas? No, that would not be correct. So then that issue is decided.
It should be easy for the many friends of Israel in USA to support the state of Israel as it is democratic and also a good example for the other nations in the region when it comes to peaceful cooperation, mutual progress and prosperity.
The answer is: In the USA. That is where the front line in the Middle East conflict is found.
If the US administration wants some kind of peace settlement around Israel, the first task is to get an agreement among the many supporters of the Israeli cause in USA and elsewhere.
The question is not that difficult. The first one is about the existence of the state of Israel. Is this existence questioned? No, absolute not. Israel will remain. So far so good.
Next question: Is it best for Israel to have fixed or fluid borders? Fluid borders means that an informal expansion can take place in the form of settlements on occupied territories.
This question is also quite simple. Would it be correct for Mexico to have a fluid border to USA and build settlements in Texas? No, that would not be correct. So then that issue is decided.
It should be easy for the many friends of Israel in USA to support the state of Israel as it is democratic and also a good example for the other nations in the region when it comes to peaceful cooperation, mutual progress and prosperity.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Do not steal
The financial crisis that erupted in 2008 caused a gigantic reshuffle of values. If we did not believe in the relativity of ownership before, we saw it demonstrated here.
One of the oldest ethical rules is "Do not steal". We can imagine it was an important rule a thousand years ago when material goods was scarce. A knife was probably very valuable.
But what about today? Is the rule still relevant? The price of a knife might be high one day, but the next day it is on sale. One day the bank has these billions and billions of dollars, the next day the computer screen shows other numbers.
The last some 20 years more individuals have become rich than ever before in human history. The big nations of India, China and Brazil are following the smaller nations like Taiwan and Hong Kong.
At the same time many remain in relative poverty, also within China, India and Brazil.
The principle for becoming rich is simple. By making others rich you get rich yourself. Bill Gates got rich by helping millions and millions of people around the world to be more or less rich with the help of Microsoft programs. In the financial sector, many have become rich by helping others invest their money.
When the sub prime loans in USA derailed and started making people poor and even homeless, the financial crisis snowballed.
So the conclusion is quite obvious: We get rich by helping others to be rich, and we get poor by making others poor. Stealing is still a bad thing.
One of the oldest ethical rules is "Do not steal". We can imagine it was an important rule a thousand years ago when material goods was scarce. A knife was probably very valuable.
But what about today? Is the rule still relevant? The price of a knife might be high one day, but the next day it is on sale. One day the bank has these billions and billions of dollars, the next day the computer screen shows other numbers.
The last some 20 years more individuals have become rich than ever before in human history. The big nations of India, China and Brazil are following the smaller nations like Taiwan and Hong Kong.
At the same time many remain in relative poverty, also within China, India and Brazil.
The principle for becoming rich is simple. By making others rich you get rich yourself. Bill Gates got rich by helping millions and millions of people around the world to be more or less rich with the help of Microsoft programs. In the financial sector, many have become rich by helping others invest their money.
When the sub prime loans in USA derailed and started making people poor and even homeless, the financial crisis snowballed.
So the conclusion is quite obvious: We get rich by helping others to be rich, and we get poor by making others poor. Stealing is still a bad thing.
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Afghanistan solution
There is no military solution for Afghanistan. The only solution is on mind level.
The present mind set for Afghanistan is not good. How will the minds involved change?
In a practical situation like this, it is matter of minds and paradigms.
The basic model for the workings of a mind is that new information is related to old information and old experiences in the light of ambitions and intentions for the future.
The present situation is very messy. New information is very contradictory. On one side there is information from the outside world of peace and progress. On the other side it is a complex information from inside Afghanistan about violence, corruption, drug money and different religious ideas and also attempts to create a democratic, modern society with equal rights.
This mess is related to old knowledge and experiences, which are also very messy. There is a history of disrupted education, disrupted national structures, desperate religious fighting and very contradictory measures done now and then by foreign powers from Soviet to USA, from Pakistan to UN.
All this is related to an ideal about the future of prosperity and power, expressed in a way that fits history, family and the local community.
So the situation is impossible. It is much worse than it was for Germany and Japan after world war two. The countries were devastated, but they had a tradition of understanding and working that could be used effectively more or less immediately.
The basis for Afghanistan would be the same as for all other nations, a paradigm about the power structures. Within such a paradigm, the new society could develop.
These days it is a fight about the paradigm with weapons and suicide attacks, but the main factor is the understanding. If the democratic alternative is understood and anchored in the minds of the population, the violence becomes just hostile and without lasting effect.
So Afghanistan needs a new story, a story about how the activities of the many citizens is structured in a way that makes the foreign troops obsolete and where religion is integrated in a way that gives freedom also to women.
The present mind set for Afghanistan is not good. How will the minds involved change?
In a practical situation like this, it is matter of minds and paradigms.
The basic model for the workings of a mind is that new information is related to old information and old experiences in the light of ambitions and intentions for the future.
The present situation is very messy. New information is very contradictory. On one side there is information from the outside world of peace and progress. On the other side it is a complex information from inside Afghanistan about violence, corruption, drug money and different religious ideas and also attempts to create a democratic, modern society with equal rights.
This mess is related to old knowledge and experiences, which are also very messy. There is a history of disrupted education, disrupted national structures, desperate religious fighting and very contradictory measures done now and then by foreign powers from Soviet to USA, from Pakistan to UN.
All this is related to an ideal about the future of prosperity and power, expressed in a way that fits history, family and the local community.
So the situation is impossible. It is much worse than it was for Germany and Japan after world war two. The countries were devastated, but they had a tradition of understanding and working that could be used effectively more or less immediately.
The basis for Afghanistan would be the same as for all other nations, a paradigm about the power structures. Within such a paradigm, the new society could develop.
These days it is a fight about the paradigm with weapons and suicide attacks, but the main factor is the understanding. If the democratic alternative is understood and anchored in the minds of the population, the violence becomes just hostile and without lasting effect.
So Afghanistan needs a new story, a story about how the activities of the many citizens is structured in a way that makes the foreign troops obsolete and where religion is integrated in a way that gives freedom also to women.
Why?
This blog has been resting for some time. I have been concentrating on the mindminding site.
This blog is called awareness awareness. Why be aware of our awareness?
The basic idea is this: The ordinary way to react is thought-words-actions-external manifestation. First we have an idea. Then we talk about it. Then we start to act. Then it is manifested out there.
It is very nice to take part in this ordinary process. For example, the original idea is to build a house. It is nice to plan for a new house. It is nice to talk about it. It is nice to arrange for it to be built. It is nice to see it there as a real house.
So we are aware of very much but not of the original awareness. The one behind all this activity.
This site is inspired by Mahayana Buddhism. It is an old and established tradition. One of the schools of thought in this tradition is called Madhyamaka prasangika. It analyses a description of reality which rests heavily on the concept of mind.
For many individuals, mind is not something that can be analysed. The brain is resistant. But for more and more individuals the brain is opening up. So the time works for Madhyamaka prasangika.
This blog is called awareness awareness. Why be aware of our awareness?
The basic idea is this: The ordinary way to react is thought-words-actions-external manifestation. First we have an idea. Then we talk about it. Then we start to act. Then it is manifested out there.
It is very nice to take part in this ordinary process. For example, the original idea is to build a house. It is nice to plan for a new house. It is nice to talk about it. It is nice to arrange for it to be built. It is nice to see it there as a real house.
So we are aware of very much but not of the original awareness. The one behind all this activity.
This site is inspired by Mahayana Buddhism. It is an old and established tradition. One of the schools of thought in this tradition is called Madhyamaka prasangika. It analyses a description of reality which rests heavily on the concept of mind.
For many individuals, mind is not something that can be analysed. The brain is resistant. But for more and more individuals the brain is opening up. So the time works for Madhyamaka prasangika.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
