MAYHEM
Contemplating the consequences of our actions
Category 5 Hurricane Ian. Image by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. [1] [2]
Hurricane Milton visited Florida’s West Coast this week. Over the past 30 days or so the United States has also been visited by Francine and Helene. The effects of these events have ranged from shipping disruptions to devastating wind and flood damage, and loss of life. See [2] below, for the consequences of just one hurricane. These events were naturally occurring for centuries yet their intensity has been magnified by global warming and climate change primarily induced by human activity.
World population stands at 8 billion souls on the way to 10 billion by the year 2080. Humanity has benefited immensely from technological advances, especially when prudently administered. But if technology is selfishly deployed, can the planet bear the effects of our heavy footprint? The status quo exploits natural resources without regards to its impact on society and the environment. These impacts result in extreme economic disparity, environmental distress, pollution, social disruptions, revolutions, and ultimately war. In the U S and elsewhere we see societal turmoil and mayhem as the result of politically instigated hatred of the other and the relentless pursuit of corporate profits and individual comfort.
Are these events isolated? Are they connected? If connected, what do they reflect?
On Tuesday, my wife and I watched Tuesdays with Merton, a monthly presentation from the International Thomas Merton Society, (ITMS). The topic of the month was Contemplative Mayhem, a thought experiment by Gray Matthews, assistant professor of Communication at the University of Memphis, in Tennessee. The entire presentation is worthwhile watching; however, the specific Contemplative Mayhem focus begins at the 11:30 mark on this YouTube recording. It calls us to pause and contemplate what a smart response should be to the accelerating and seemingly out of control world in which we find ourselves. Will we take time to contemplate and reimagine our common future? Will we be able to switch from unsustainable habits to sustainable practices? Can we afford to ignore the signs of the times? Will we bury our heads in the sands of distraction or face reality and take positive action? Can we steer technology (artificial intelligence, energy production, weather control, industrial development) in positive directions? Will we have the emotional maturity to face reality and effect the necessary course corrections? Will we grow in wisdom and accept the reality of a continually changing existence or retrench into totalitarianism? Will we learn from the past and find true tranquility in these turbulent times?
What do you think?
First, Manuel, I love your posts. 🧡
I think this is an individual choice for each one of us and it depends on our soul maturity. For those who have learned lessons over many lifetimes, it becomes easier to make wise choices.
For young souls, which comprise the majority of Americans, they are focused on gaining material wealth and power -- by any means -- whether they succeed or not. Baby souls are focused on religion, their views of what is traditional, and they seek an authoritarian leader. Mature souls seek dramatic emotional experiences from which to learn. It is the old souls, of which you appear to be one, that seek contemplation and have been around the block many times learning the lessons that their souls needed to learn. They are the ones most capable of making wise decisions at this time on earth. They are also hugely outnumbered.
That reality requires deep internal peace, nonattachment to outcomes, prayer and meditation for the Highest Good of All.
Even a mosquito can be persistent enough to wake up a human. Unfortunately most people will wait until they personally feel uncomfortable to realise they need to change something within their control.
We are trying to hold back the tide with a broom. We are in an existential race against time to save Mother Earth and ourselves. Only when enough people experience the threat will we change our behaviors. How many people are ready to bicycle to work?