Season’s greetings to all, and all the best for health and happiness in 2020 and beyond.
If you don’t, can’t, or do not see them around or in your life, it does not mean they are not functioning. As humans, we experience both good and bad things, yet some of us believe in taking credit or blaming themselves or others for everything happening in their lives. Clearly, we can’t even breathe or live without oxygen, and that oxygen is absolutely not under our control. Every action as a human being is carried out after breathing life-giving oxygen. So, believing that you are in control of everything can have its side effects on an individual’s life.
For instance, it is great for self-esteem to believe “I did this” or “I did that,” but denying, not respecting, or not acknowledging the essential role of oxygen—which we can’t even function without for seconds—just to think, is a nonsensical source. As scientists or atheists, we avoid leaving anything to chance; everything must be clearly understood and scientifically proven. Yet, we still retain the right to think in ways that make sense to us. Until the existence of God or a Devil is absolutely clear, we keep our options open, as we are not a finished product. We continue to learn new things every day, so none of us can claim to know everything there is to know.
When individuals discuss religion, particularly if they are political entities, and then go so far as to kill those who do not share their beliefs, it is absurd. This belief is rooted in ignorance and the politics of fear, which is terrorism. Claiming to know everything is untrue due to the evolutionary nature of humans. For proof, one need only look around at what has been and is happening in the world. In every other field, we have made great strides, yet we remain entrenched in our constitutions and religions as repositories of complete knowledge. The question is: Is this right for you individually? Do you believe we should leave room for learning and evolving in all areas of our lives? If you believe that evolution is a fact, then why do you passionately assert that your existing knowledge is complete? Before making a decision, ensure you are not influenced by the politics of your sense of belonging to your groups. If you follow your religious beliefs, do so in a spiritual rather than political manner. If you are a scientist or atheist, remember your brief time on Earth and your evolving nature—because it’s not what’s outside, but what goes on inside.
All of our knowledge should be aimed at living this earthly life humbly and with inner peace. Not knowing everything is acceptable, as long as we remain human and refrain from treating others as we wouldn’t want to be treated ourselves or have done to our loved ones. Do you truly believe Big Brother does not exist? Take a closer look; it’s invisible, yet it is a reality that can land you in jail. It’s like two cells within our body debating the body’s existence.
Firstly, those cells have not evolved enough to possess the eyes to see all the mysteries of our nature and the purpose of our existence. Secondly, they are egotistical to claim and fight over whether the body exists, without complete knowledge. Thirdly, as mortals, it’s our duty to grasp the concept of mortality. Our mortality necessitates introspection—it’s not the external space that matters, but our ability to see and imagine evolution. This is crucial to our individual existence. We require another type of wisdom that transcends our religions and sciences, allowing us to journey through our mortal lives with happiness, contentment, and above all, inner and outer peace.
From the outset of our awareness, as individuals, we must understand the political demands of our sense of belonging. The sense of freedom is often suppressed so that we can be controlled as a population. We were—and still are—rewarded by fellow human beings for bravery and aggression, yet simultaneously expected to be obedient, law-abiding citizens of our communities.
Despite our evolution, war heroes are often lauded, even if they have committed war crimes against opposing groups. Individuals may not be judged solely by their affiliations, but times have changed. Yugoslavian war criminals discovered that even after years of protection by their affiliations, they eventually paid the price.
Our actions are scrutinized, and we are constantly shaped according to accepted social standards wherever we live. Interestingly, action movies are often blockbusters, and professional sports are lucrative industries. Rumor has it that Mike Tyson earned $300 million as a successful boxer. Despite all our civilization, we are still drawn to violence in our movies and sports.
I find this a perplexing era in our civilization. For example, on a first date with a woman, if another man flirts with her and you don’t defend her, she may not go out with you again because she might perceive you as spineless and cowardly. Conversely, if you display aggression and bravery, you might also impress her, but you could be perceived as possessive, dangerous, or worse, you might end up in conflict with Big Brother and run afoul of the law.
In another scenario, suppose you are asleep and someone breaks into your home. Would you tell your wife to confront the intruder? Even in today’s societies, males are expected to be aggressive and brave to protect others. Our nature hasn’t changed, but it has caused confusion by introducing Big Brother.
This introduces Big Brother into our sphere, along with the other two human invisible realities. Big Brother is a modern-day phenomenon, much like God and the Devil. They are all invisible yet created by people. They derive their power from living, breathing human beings. Individuals provide life to all three (GOOD OR BAD).
How important can a human individual be if all three can’t function independently? An invisible entity cannot manifest actions in physical form. (So remember my words whenever anyone, including yourself, says you mean nothing). You are the one who gives life to all thoughts and brings them to physical form.
Acting out or expressing one’s nature is a taboo subject in most human societies these days, so we are torn apart not only as individuals but also as societies due to changing times.
We function vastly differently in different parts of the world. Our traditions, customs, and rules are heavily influenced by our religious beliefs and political affiliations, yet we are all human beings with a primal background. From religious doctrines and traditions to social experiments like isms and democracy, we are constantly told that we must live subserviently, regardless of our inner feelings.
In ancient times, an aggressive individual would not only survive but also thrive in the bush or caves. Alpha males were admired for their bravery and aggression by most members of the tribe, including females. Yet, in today’s world, we as a society are confused. We raise children to grow up as gentlemen but also hand them guns to go to war—to be brave, to kill, and to die. We encourage them to act as aggressive killing machines yet expect them to behave as gentlemen when they return home to their communities. This conditioning has existed, exists, and will likely continue for a long time. Since it is part of our evolution, it cannot be easy, and it may even be painful to go through, but as humanity, we must evolve to the next level. To me, that next level is learning to belong to humanity rather than our small groups and their politics. How are we doing in that regard? Not very well; we are not a happy people, neither individually nor collectively. Just look around the world—our conflicts have been ongoing, and we are following our groups to create peace. This will not happen, as it has not happened for thousands of years. Our religions and, in fact, since the advent of religions, our violence-related killings have skyrocketed. No one can estimate the number of deaths due to extreme religious violence, from the Crusades to modern-day terrorism, throughout history. In real life, we are not just animals; our spiritual side is a valid and accepted reality. In the wild, rural or urban, all creatures learn from adults, so that education is not just essential but also critical. Other creatures do not attend schools like us, and their lives are practical—there is no safety, only survival. There are no tests or degrees like ours, so as human beings, we are ahead of other creatures. We have several channels for learning; we not only observe like other creatures but also attend school, learn from TV, movies, books, blogs, and above all, bring along genetically inherited material that we can enhance by thinking and connecting dots. We couldn’t find peace by following our group’s politics; it has only brought us wars and social chaos. It has divided humanity into small pieces and is still dividing us further. We can’t even live in peace within our own groups. So what is the solution? To me, as an individual, we need to follow spirituality rather than religions. We need to view humanity as a whole and belong to it. This leads me to advocate for personal strength so that everyone can become the CEO of their own lives, preventing anyone from herding them like sheep. All of us should be able to speak out against stealing others’ love, even if it is done by our own groups. Remember, we are born with free will and a personal sense of justice, so it should be equally practiced by all of us in every society. The days when everything was swept under the rug, including justice, are long gone. Nowadays, everything is on the internet within seconds, so an individual or group can be instantly judged by the world.
As individuals, we experience various situations, circumstances, and events in our lifetimes, influenced by the changing times on this Earth. We have hormones—or should I say chemicals—that fluctuate according to our experiences. An event or situation can trigger surges or suppressions that influence our actions or behavior. Sure, we are spiritual beings, but remember, we live in the bodies of physical creatures, so our actions can be influenced by chemical fluctuations. Certainly, our biological responses are connected to our animalistic side, but our spiritual side helps us to moderate and behave appropriately. Depending on our education, we can monitor what happens within us. Which aspect is nurtured or stronger at the time of our actions?
Age-related wisdom or experiences can play a role, but some of us are taught to blindly blame outside entities like the Devil or credit God. This wisdom has its place in our mortal life, but our modern-day problems are also connected with our Big Brother. Politics must be monitored by the individual. An individual can’t be critical if they do not or are unable to use their God-given free will and their personal sense of justice. Contrary to the common and accepted wisdom that stronger individuals make a stronger society, all groups as entities may not want the individual to become stronger, especially as a CEO of their lives, fearing loss of power if the individual questions their every move.
An individual may or may not believe in God or the Devil, but living among people where Big Brother’s beliefs conflict with their own can be troublesome. For example, if you are liberal-minded but reside in a conservative society, Big Brother might restrict your choice of human liberties. Conversely, in a liberal, open, and democratic society, Big Brother might oppose your conservative beliefs. This dilemma intensifies daily as the internet exposes global events. Modern governments find themselves in a quandary, balancing freedom of speech with the need to control their populace.
The advent of the internet and cell phones with cameras poses both assets and challenges. Any event can be instantly broadcast by ordinary individuals, making every action visible to the world for praise or criticism. The internet has transcended political boundaries, spreading information globally like religions once did, both a blessing and a curse.
The widespread use of cell phones with internet connections and cameras is a new phenomenon. We are entering an uncomfortable phase where some demand instant change while others cling to centuries-old constitutions or ancient religious norms. Conflicts persist on all sides, impeding peace as each clings to their philosophical ideologies.
Every rule, tradition, or custom is scrutinized globally, sparking debates from family matters to the divine. Adapting to chaotic changes requires us to fit into time’s shoes rather than expecting time to accommodate us.
Consider religions as political systems. Without tangible evidence of God, the Devil, or Big Brother, they cannot form the foundation of justice systems. Justice and spirituality align on one side of the scale, while the politics of belonging sit on the other. Selectively invoking God for some but not others diminishes the spiritual essence that God represents. Using God for political motives disrespects spirituality. Humanity must separate politics from religion to restore its spiritual essence and acknowledge its evolving nature. Our knowledge, whether in holy books or constitutions, is not complete.
Each of us faces mortality’s brevity. Inflexibility can deprive individuals of happiness and contentment. A constant storm in one’s teacup steals both joy and health. Mortals cannot control the second circle of grown children, spouses, and community outcomes. Stress signals a need for lifestyle changes. Our temporary visit on earth should not sacrifice happiness, health, or contentment. Embrace and adapt to the evolving phenomena like information technology.
Evolution originates from God, and resisting this natural order is contrary to divine will, even for those professing religious beliefs. If we confine ourselves within religious or political boundaries, our concept of God becomes biased, perpetuating prejudice and discrimination. Politics, unlike God and spirituality, is not intrinsic to our DNA. Humanity must rise above political affiliations to realize its full potential for peace.
I identify as a citizen of humanity, recognizing the layers of political identity. Embracing freedom, equality, and the internet’s influence parallels embracing a new religion. Even an uneducated villager can learn from a cell phone, bridging cultural divides.
For millennia, perpetual wars like the Shia-Sunni conflict persist due to refusal to heal old wounds. Identity conflicts hinder spiritual growth and foster political agendas. Compassion and forgiveness, essential to spirituality, are stifled by group politics. Ordinary citizens, embracing free will and personal justice above group affiliations, can end conflicts and promote peace.
Awareness of modern weaponry highlights the danger of armed conflicts. Today, spears and swords are relics of the past. Peace requires setting aside pride in group affiliations, prioritizing universal human rights and global unity.
A cell phone-wielding extremist poses a greater danger to humanity because the internet provides them a platform to attract like-minded individuals and perpetuate conflict. Our concepts of right and wrong are no longer straightforward, as they evolve and change.
From gay marriage to atheism, from equal human rights to female liberation, to abortion and gender selection, these are the new products of humanity. Labeling them right or wrong attracts both supporters and opponents. The best approach is to understand our identities and recognize individuals who have lost their spirituality to the politics of belonging, buried under political identities connected to group affiliations. True spirituality is found in those who treat others as they would like to be treated.
In an era where individuals can challenge God, the Devil, and Big Brother in court, humanity faces intriguing times. Our problems are intertwined with the politics of group affiliation and the rapid pace of our evolution. Interestingly, the internet exposes everyone’s flaws to the world. Like-minded people naturally gravitate towards each other, leading to differences, conflicts, hatred, prejudice, discrimination, and even wars.
Religions exemplify this paradox. They preach spirituality, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice, yet remain embroiled in bloody conflicts with each other in this age of internet and space exploration.
Territorial disputes often stem from religious differences and can endure for millennia. Apart from group-related issues, we aspire to elevate Big Brother to the status of God and the Devil, perpetuating ongoing disputes to satisfy our animal instincts.
Individuals suffer most in these conflicts, with lost love serving as a root cause of mental and physical health issues. Whether as individuals or collectively, understanding and combating these issues is essential for personal and societal health. To achieve this, we must evolve to embrace equal human rights and respect for love, paths to the internal and external peace humanity has sought for centuries.
The power of group politics is underestimated by modern universalism, facing significant pushback even in highly civilized societies. Americans elected Trump, facing ridicule from the liberal world, highlighting our animalistic tendencies toward prejudice and discrimination under the guise of group belonging.
Reflecting on history, our animal instincts guide us instinctively. Even the formation of groups is political and rooted in our animal nature. While religions advocate for God and spirituality, they succumb to group politics, becoming highly prejudiced and discriminatory toward non-conformists. They abandon their spiritual values of compassion and forgiveness, resorting to violence in favor of political gain. Every act of violence diminishes humanity’s progress, perpetuating a cycle of conflict.
Our primary problem lies in the politics of group affiliation, where love is robbed and wounds are left unhealed. Interestingly, we consistently tie God to our groups despite engaging in devilish actions, while assigning the Devil to opposing groups to maintain unity and political victory. This “us vs. them” mentality fuels group politics, perpetuating conflicts while individuals, losing love in the process, stoke the fires of discord.
Our disconnection isn’t from God, the Devil, or even our new addition, Big Brother; it stems from within the individual. Individual insecurity, bread and butter for group politics, sustains life but also breeds discord.
Individuals must evolve to acknowledge and manage deeply-rooted insecurities, influenced chemically and psychologically by a sense of belonging. A study during a soccer match between France and Italy illustrated how belonging impacts us chemically; Italian testosterone levels surged with each goal, plummeting when France scored. Such is the power of belonging, even in sporting events, illustrating our primal instincts.
Strengthening our spiritual side allows us to understand the value of love and loss and the accompanying rage. Only then can we truly claim to be CEOs of our lives. The wisdom of free will is understood through our spiritual side; it prevents us from acting solely on animal instincts, even in the face of mortality.
Despite our evolution and civilization, humanity continues to grapple with animal behaviors. Social crimes, wars, prejudice, discrimination—all these are individual responsibilities to self-regulate. Whether evolving or not, individuals seek like-minded groups, reinforcing collective power and returning us to square one. By letting inner conflicts guide us and conforming to group rules, traditions, and customs, we become victims of the need to belong.
We are social creatures, compelled by nature, but our free will reminds us why we possess it. Our free will allows us to view life as a learning experience—from God and the Devil to our modern-day Big Brother. Whether we reject or blindly embrace these concepts, it’s our prerogative, but leveraging human knowledge enhances our temporary visit on earth instead of undermining it.
If our actions demonstrate a commitment to humanity as a whole, belief in equal human rights, and advocacy for global issues, we are nearly there. The next step for all of us is to choose humanity over group allegiance and spirituality over religious beliefs, ushering in a new paradigm.
Our challenge lies in inhabiting an animal body that is chemically influenced, making us vulnerable to political propaganda at any given event or circumstance. A personal setback or the loss of group-related love can transform us from otherwise civilized, peaceful, and evolved beings into savage creatures, regardless of our level of education.
Awareness of our inner conflicts empowers us to make wiser choices, grounded in our spiritual side. Self-understanding is crucial for all of us, as we navigate through multiple, often false identities.
We are akin to an onion, each layer revealing a different identity. Initially, there’s our given name, followed by our family name. Then, our gender, local, provincial, and national affiliations. Next, our religion, race, color, and educational background. Altogether, these layers amount to ten distinct identities. To truly understand ourselves, we must peel away these layers to discover our essence, though it’s undeniable that we are all fundamentally composed of carbon.
Born into human society to human parents, we are genetically identical as human beings. We all experience the same biological processes—hunger, eating, drinking, excretion, illness, aging, and death—uniformly. Therefore, our differences stem solely from political identities.
To cease perpetuating wars, we must shift our allegiance from group affiliations to a broader sense of belonging to humanity.