I am someone who longs for world peace. Perhaps you are, too. But every single day our world spends more than $4 billion on war. The last hundred years have been by far the bloodiest in human history.
I support human rights and human dignity. I want every child to grow up healthy and strong. No doubt you do, too. But today, like every day, 20,000 children will die of hunger and poverty. Even in the world's wealthiest country, the U.S., nearly 25 percent of children live below the poverty line.
I believe in upholding the brotherhood and sisterhood of all people. I believe in the inherent worth of every human being. But we live in a time of grotesque inequalities. There are shoe companies who pay famous athletes $20 million to endorse their shoes, while paying their workers only 20 cents an hour to make them. The CEOs of some companies make more money in an hour than many of the company's employees make in a year.
Many of the world's spiritual traditions teach that inner peace is found when you love the world as it is, rather than faulting it for not living up to your expectations. But our addictions are not only damaging our spirits, they are also causing irreparable harm to the biosphere and to humanity's future.
I believe in holding a positive attitude toward life. But the rate at which forests are disappearing, coral reefs are deteriorating, the arctic ice cap is melting, and species are going extinct is undermining the capacity of the earth to support human life.
I draw strength from my kinship with animals. Some of my best friends have had four legs. Perhaps you, too, have had a relationship with an animal that has enriched you as a human being. But today, almost all of our meat and dairy products come from animals raised under conditions of horrific cruelty.
There are so many kinds of pain and loss in our times. There is illness and financial stress, there is growing unemployment and homelessness, there are oil spills and terrorists. It can seem that our little flickering candles of faith are no match for the hurricane winds of destruction and despair the world can so relentlessly blow our way. There are things happening in our world today that must make the angels weep.
Here's what I believe. If you are going to face the suffering and destruction of life, and if you want to find a way to be effective and positive in response, you must also be open to the life affirming powers of creativity and joy.
It can sometimes seem that we are on a planetary death march, and yet we are also living in an age of miracles. Some are so common we often take them for granted. There is the miracle of color and the miracle of music. There is the miracle of tears and the miracle of laughter. There is the miracle of breathing and the miracle of sunsets. There is the miracle of people continuing to strive for a happier world even in the face of devastation and grief.
At this very moment, people are learning new ways to communicate, to understand each other, and to resolve conflicts. Right now, people are learning to read, while others are writing poetry, and others are dancing and singing. With every breath you take, relationships are growing, new health-giving practices are being discovered, ancient feuds are being overcome, and people are finding ways to restore their connections to the living earth. At this moment, as in every moment, ever growing numbers of people are working for a better world for themselves and for all children, now and yet to come.
We are not done. Our despair is not meant to destroy us but to awaken new life in us. Our wounds can give us depth, empathy and understanding. Our hardships can be places where we meet others and grow.
Yes, there is ugliness, which is why it matters when we bring beauty. Yes, there is great suffering, so let us live with great compassion.
This is what I have to say at this time in history. There are forces at work in the human psyche that are destructive and unconscious. And yet there is also something in us that is wondrous, that touches the infinite and belongs to the sacred.
Let us stand for this. Our dreams and prayers are rooted in something greater than the forces of death. Our grief and fury at the world's brutalities are part of our awakening. There is something mysterious taking place in this world that is part of our healing.
With all its delusions and broken dreams, our world today is still a place where our hearts can meet and grow wings. There is horror and agony here, yes, and it is at times overwhelming. But there are also countless opportunities for the illumination of beauty and the awakening of love.
We are not done. There are sources of joy here, and we are here to protect them and cherish them.
We are not done. We can still make our lives into works of art. We can still create thriving, just and sustainable ways of life.
Bitter winds are howling. Let them howl. We can shelter each other and put our little flames together. Maybe we will yet find that the pain we feared would destroy us rather brings us back to what gives us life.
We are here to live, not merely survive. We are here to fully express and celebrate the gifts we each have to give to the world, and to receive the gifts that others have to give to us, as well.
Let us touch with love the inevitable suffering in our lives, and in the lives of those we meet. Let us tend with tender mercy that which is dying in us and in our world. And let us welcome the new life dawning in each of our souls.
We who are alive, with breath in our bodies and love in our hearts, have so very much to be thankful for. In all that takes place over the course of our lives, may we never lose track of our capacity for joy. And may we never forget the power of the choices we make.
For practical and down to earth steps you can take to live in accord with the values expressed here, read John Robbins' newest book, The New Good Life: Living Better Than Ever in an Age of Less. For more information about the author, please visit his website.
Follow John Robbins on Twitter: www.twitter.com/johnrobbinsnow
Locke Rush: People in Glass Houses
Mike Robbins: Keep Your Head in the Clouds and Your Feet on the Ground
Robert F. Brands: Innovation Governance: Adding Guidance and Essential Support
As a psychotherapist who has specialized in treating addictions for the last 40 years, we have to break our addiction to consumption. One of my clients once told me, "My drug of choice is 'more.'" It isn't easy to break any addiction, but millions do it every day. The first step is to acknowledge the reality that we are addicted and we must address these issues directly. Thanks for offering a vehicle for all of us to rally around.
Overall, though, seeing the vast scale of suffering and present dangers we face can easily drive a person mad, and many people instinctively fall into despair or denial to avoid facing this traumatic knowledge. Finding ways to remain sane and strong so we can work most effectively for good, on the other hand, is challenging -- but it also gives our lives meaning.
And p.s. John, I became a vegetarian overnight in 1996 after reading an interview with you, and your compassionate intelligence has inspired my work as a vegan activist. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!
The only thing that keeps me going is faith. Meditation. Higher Self. Higher Purpose. Beauty. Animals. Good people. Nature. Prayer. If I didn't have the belief that everything works out for our higher good (yes, I am tested often with this belief but I chose to work it) and that there is a larger plan...I don't know, I am sure I'd be very very depressed. Also, escaping into my creative projects at home/socializing and fun helps. Some things give me hope....the growth in veganism...the wonderful souls who help and heal....positive blogs/stories.....there is a lot of GOOD out there. We need to be reminded of it.
But man oh man...it's been very hard lately. I am shaking with anxiety on the inside right now.
I hope you are doing well...John Robbins. I am glad you have a loving family and support during these very very trying times. God Bless.
Thanks for asking!
Peace.
"There is the miracle of color and the miracle of music."
How much more profound and wondrous that is when we understand that both color and music are totally within us. Without us, there is no color, no sound.
How will you know when you are satisfied?
The strongest man is not always the most ardent climber. - William Lecky
justonequestionaday.com
We can't cope by whistling in the darkness. That's just not sustainable.
We can't cope by paying someone obscene amounts of money for re-cycled wisdom in the form of "life coaching". That's not sustainable either.
We can't cope by demonizing the "other" - whether we define the "other" as a lefty, a righty, religious, irreligious, a vegan, an omnivore, or whatever. That's not sustainable, either.
So how can we cope, anyway?
We can cope by fully embracing both the light and the darkness that lives within, just as much as without. We can cope by accepting it fully: all the darkness, hatred, fear and sadness in the world is your darkness, and my darkness. All the beauty, love, truth and goodness in the world is your light, and my light.
That's the beginning - ever and always - of an honest conversation with ourselves, and with one another. That's the Archimedes lever that will (perhaps) allow us to move the world.
That's the way to find out how to begin to truly cope.
I read a book a few years ago called 'The Ingenuity Gap' it was about how we have reached a state where all of our problems are too complex and how we lack the ingenuity to solve them. The book shows how in every aspect of human endeavor we are faced with unsolvable complex issues.
We could go to Disney World, yet outside people are suffering and who do you trust to solve these problems, a politician (power and prestige lovers) religious leaders (money loving closet sinners) corporations (mindless carnivores) or us the people (rabid consumers). Even Disney World is one of those carnivores who hypnotizes you while they take your money. It sure feels good though.
Kenny.org
Denial, denial, denail :-)
2. Spend true quality time with those you love. When your heart is filled with love, not a whole lot can take you down emotionally.
3. Respect nature as a gift - it is there to heal and soothe us in more ways than one can imagine. I
Life is not easy for anyone and some times are more difficult than others. Life takes courage and I think that is a personal growth quality we should all pursue so we can face whatever comes our way.
Great wisdom in these words. Thank you John Robbins.