In Canada, there is extensive discussion about assisted dying, which I believe should be openly debated worldwide. Recently, a North Carolina court ruled in favor of religious freedom over basic human rights, prompting me to share my perspective on these issues. First, regarding assisted dying:
I view God as analogous to a human body, with all of us as its cells. Just as cells within a body must collaborate for its function, humanity represents the physical manifestation of God, while God embodies the spiritual essence of each individual. Despite this connection to humanity, I firmly advocate for individual liberties, especially concerning assisted dying. This topic deeply divides me internally, but just as rivers or human bodies need regeneration and reproduction to thrive, cellular regeneration and reproduction are crucial life-sustaining processes that must occur.
Logically, it should be the individual who makes decisions, particularly concerning their mortality. This raises questions about who should make such decisions and on what grounds. Mental health issues, prevalent in the northern hemisphere, exemplify this complexity. There was recent news about children forming suicide pacts as a group. Such situations necessitate soul-searching; the underlying causes — whether physiological, emotional, spiritual, or related to financial hardship and poverty — demand our attention.
If someone steals out of necessity to feed themselves, it becomes a community problem. If communities expect individuals to adhere to rules, they must fulfill their responsibilities by providing basic necessities to their members, as individuals are the lifeblood of any community. If you feel hopeless and seek help, compassion from others should be forthcoming. However, it’s essential to also think compassionately beyond oneself. Taking one’s life could rob someone of love and unfairly punish loved ones, such as family and friends.
Surely, dying is a fact of life, as is regeneration and reciprocation. We must openly discuss this subject with each other. It’s not a governmental or religious issue; it’s a matter of family, friends, and love.
Each human individual must take charge to do God’s work and recognize their importance in the grand scheme. The politics of our religions and governing systems have labored for thousands of years to diminish the significance of the individual. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to become CEOs to undo this damage. From bolstering self-esteem to addressing personal insecurities and mental health issues, assuming the role of CEO can provide assistance.
Consider a scenario where the Zika virus spreads globally, causing all babies to be born with dysfunctional brains. Who would pray to God, and who would answer these prayers? Logically, everything would come to a screeching halt with an abundance of unhealthy human beings.
Humanity resembles a human body with functioning systems to sustain life. From cell regeneration and removal of dead debris to energy production and consumption, and finally to the simple processes of living and dying of cells—these are not merely aspects of life but bitter truths. However, we avoid discussing these issues due to centuries of religious indoctrination.
Religions address these matters with authority, which poses challenges for the general population due to diverse affiliations. Conservative societies struggle to accept responsibility amidst changing times, resisting individual leadership in confronting the evolving issues humanity faces. This resistance stems from a stubborn attitude rooted in millennia-old teachings. Delving deeper, ancient societies lacked the technology to discern fetal abnormalities like microcephaly; today, advancements in genetics allow for greater understanding, necessitating a more nuanced approach to issues such as abortion.
Despite my views against certain practices, I am not entirely liberal; I believe in God and humanity as a unified entity, perpetually evolving. Therefore, despite my reservations about abortion and assisted dying, I advocate for the body to function like a river—cleaning, regenerating, repairing, and maintaining its health. A stagnant pond allows for unchecked growth and illness, analogous to the stagnation our humanity experiences with wars and spiritual crimes.
Our customs and traditions, tied to a sense of belonging, constrain us and hinder broader connections within humanity. We remain fixated on “us versus them,” yet genetic evidence resoundingly disproves these divisions. To truly understand our past, trace back to our common ancestry beyond race, nation, or religion, and you will find one unifying truth: our shared humanity.
Abortion, assisted dying, stem cell research, cloning, test tube babies, and so on are realities of today. They bear no resemblance to our past; we are already exploring space and seeking new planets to inhabit.
If humanity fails to take charge of these issues, we will remain stuck in the past, unable to embrace liberalism and acceptance of one another. Everything will adhere to tradition, stifling progress and evolution. We cannot afford to remain stagnant like a pond, fostering problems such as divisions and wars rooted in our egotistical history.
The truth is, every human contributes to the reproduction of new beings. As I see it, we are all cells of God, thus collectively perpetuating God’s existence. Regardless of one’s gender, each individual is a producer of God and deserves respect for that role.
The Sense of Belonging: the most underestimated cause of collective and individual miseries.
Individually, we often battle to elevate our belonging groups to power—whether through peaceful elections or by supporting our race, gender, nation, religion, or sports teams. Despite their faults or failures, we vote for them, cheer for them, and sometimes sacrifice greatly to see them succeed.
To me, this is akin to judging a bodybuilding contest. If I hail from Manitoba, I shouldn’t favor the Manitoba athlete solely due to my sense of belonging. Impartial judgment, aimed at ensuring the best athlete prevails, is justice. Yet, worldwide, people are so engrossed and fixated on their sense of belonging that they root for their team or athlete, even if they don’t deserve to win. Is this right? Each individual must introspect and ask themselves this question. If you can balance your sense of belonging with justice, you are a CEO. If not, you must work towards that balance, as ignoring injustice perpetuates ignorance.
Imagine walking down a street and witnessing a man repeatedly banging his bleeding head against a wall—you’d stop to help, feeling compassion for his plight. Now, imagine turning the corner to find hundreds more doing the same, regardless of the bleeding. You’d wonder what’s wrong with these people but still feel compelled to assist. Then, go a bit further and discover millions or billions engaging in the same self-destructive behavior, sometimes coercing you to join them, implying something is wrong with you for not doing so.
This, I call the power of the sense of belonging. Right or wrong becomes irrelevant; what matters is justice above belonging. How many of us can uphold this? We stand by our family, community, race, gender, nation, or religion, regardless of their rightness or wrongness. Pride in this blind allegiance poses a significant problem, dividing us and hindering our evolution into a united humanity.
History sadly shows how we’ve been incentivized to gain at the expense of others, fuelling our fervor for our belonging groups. Will our government truly care for us? Will human liberties and equal rights be safeguarded? There are no guarantees; just look at war veterans worldwide—heroes who often become victims of mental health issues, homelessness, and physical ailments after their service.
Our sense of belonging often drives us to continue certain actions willingly, even if they lead us to commit spiritual crimes. Individuals have committed such acts in service to their belonging groups. Dig deeper into the causes behind individual actions, and you’ll find the three children of the sense of belonging at work: Ego, Pride, and Honor. Militaries, militias, nations, religions, and even terrorist organizations recruit young individuals precisely because they are not yet the CEOs of their own lives, making them easier to conform into sacrificing for the group’s cause.
It’s high time individuals critically examine the politics of their belonging groups. Only then will we truly learn to belong to humanity. With over two hundred countries yet genetically related as one organism, we still fight over refugee settlements. How can we manage global warming-related migration if we can’t even handle the refugee crises we create ourselves? Rising oceans will pose problems that even Trump’s walls won’t solve.
Sooner or later, we must unite as one humanity, just as we did during the Ebola crisis. Consider the international space station—several nations work together there, yet they also undermine each other, like the United States and Russia.
The Panama Papers leak deserves critical scrutiny. There’s a significant flaw in our governance and political systems; everyone fears losing their comfortable lives. Nobody likes others forcefully reaching into their pockets, but if individuals were spiritually educated, reciprocity could become a beautiful part of life. Unfortunately, it often takes those without faith to teach spirituality. Politicians twist and turn to sway ordinary individuals’ opinions. If people saw through the political messages, many religious individuals would align as Democrats rather than the other way around.
The Panama Papers and offshore investments are closely tied to tax evasion. If everyone hides their money, wealth concentrates in the hands of the top one percent. Personally, I find it hard to ignore the causes of individual insecurities. We’re all mortal; in our temporary lives, we can only consume so much. Why such a fervent desire for resources when mortality ensures no real security? I believe in personal liberties, but not without reciprocity.
Compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love define a human being. Practicing these collectively defines humanity. If everyone acts as a thief or a cheat, we face a spiritual crisis. Several national leaders implicated in the Panama Papers seem to think it’s acceptable to stash money or evade taxes.
Despite our governance systems, power and corruption often go hand in hand. The internet has been a boon for humanity, but I often wonder how long these issues have persisted.
No governing system is ideal—whether dictatorship or democratically elected leaders, both seek to control ordinary individuals. Balance is necessary for stronger individuals with higher education, fostering clear understanding of personal boundaries. Extremes in belonging, claiming one’s group is always right despite injustice, or embracing unchecked freedom without regard for any rule, are untenable.
Today’s most successful societies often blend cultures from around the world, fostering tolerance. While the politics of belonging groups still exist, they’re slowly crumbling due to individual respect for laws and equal human rights. If individuals feel respected, they’ll stay; neglecting individuals leads to brain drain.
When it rains on a mountain, it starts with one drop, but soon the water flows downward. So begins the journey. We should each compare ourselves to that single drop. The ocean symbolizes God, and the raindrop represents humanity. Becoming a river and merging with the ocean is the journey of life. From conception to fully developed human, there’s extensive cell replication. At times, we may feel like a raging river overflowing its banks, only to merge with the vast ocean like a raindrop.
Similarly, a seed becomes a tree, or a sperm becomes an individual. Throughout this journey, we undergo physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. Yet if ego, pride, and honor stemming from belonging take over, disappointment awaits when we finally reach the ocean.
You can assert that you are God yourself, or at least the producer of God, because you are blessed with free will. However, the ability to grasp this knowledge varies among individuals. Seeking understanding may lead you to contemplate beginnings and endings, triggering a thirst for eternal knowledge. As you begin piecing the puzzle together, spirituality assists in pushing you further. Being part of the ocean can make you recognize the importance of being human, and that recognition can be enlightening. Rather than fearing the end, you can elevate your journey. Avoid fixating too much on the start or the finish because life is temporary. If you fail to collect and embrace happiness and contentment along life’s path, you will be the one at a loss. Fear or excessive focus on either the beginning or the end distracts you from the present moment. While curiosity is natural and we desire knowledge, we must give ourselves a break as our comprehension is limited in certain areas of life. We are evolving organisms, and during this evolutionary process, expecting to understand everything is unrealistic.
Since the dawn of civilization, a major problem persists: we care too much about what others think of us. For instance, if you are a scientist who discovers something previously unknown, it’s not only impressive to others but also fills you with pride. Like many, you might start expecting to understand everything, even beyond science. Similarly, if you’re a successful doctor renowned for healing people, encountering an unsolvable problem could hurt and disappoint you more than the average person due to your ego.
Remembering that we are human beings, evolving organisms, helps us recognize our limitations, ego, and pride. We must acknowledge that we are like raging rivers influenced by those around us; otherwise, everything leads to the ocean. Focusing solely on our insignificance goes against God’s will. Our free will, coupled with our constantly evolving nature, suggests we should pursue our potential, which aligns with God’s will. Mortality humbles us, and ego drives us to strive; thus, both serve a purpose. However, we must be wary of extremes; ego is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways.
An imbalanced sense of belonging must be balanced with a sense of freedom to discern the origins of urges like pride and ego. Assumptions influenced by negative ego are changeable, given human knowledge’s evolutionary nature. Should passion drive every action? Certainly, as passion fuels exploration and excellence, yet it can be dangerous when tainted by other influences. A passionate policeman might misjudge and cause harm to an innocent person, as might a military member or religious militant.
“What is ego? Where does it come from? And why do some people have more than others?” These questions were posed by notable figures in Guy Ritchie’s movie “Revolver”:
Quotes:
Andrew Samuels, PhD, Professor of Analytical Psychology:
“People’s need to protect their own egos knows no boundaries. They will lie, cheat, steal, kill—do whatever it takes to maintain what we call ego boundaries.”
Deepak Chopra, MD, Chairman and Co-founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing:
“In religions, the ego manifests as the Devil. Of course, no one realizes how clever the ego is because it created the Devil to have someone else to blame. There is no external enemy, no matter what that voice in your head tells you. All perceptions of an enemy are projections of the ego onto others.”
Dr. Obadiah S. Harris, PhD, President of the Philosophical Research Society and Author:
“Your greatest enemy is your own inner perception, your own ignorance, your own ego.”
End Quote.
When an individual commits a crime against another, we might say their devilish side did it. However, when a nation or race commits atrocities against another nation, it’s called genocide. Is this larger-scale crime not equivalent to the devil himself? I am perplexed by human ignorance. Why do we fail to realize and acknowledge the individual human involvement in every good or bad action and take responsibility? Why do we attribute all good deeds to God and all bad deeds to the devil? Where does the human individual stand in this dichotomy?
Ego is merely a byproduct or one of the children of a strong sense of belonging. If this sense of belonging isn’t aligned with a sense of freedom, individuals can lose themselves or their CEO status to the demands of the group. This situation can be very uncomfortable for individuals with overpowering emotions.
Ego, pride, and honor are often found abundantly in conservative and religious societies. It’s perplexing that while people believe and accept themselves as inferior entities to God and the Devil, their egos often overflow from individual levels to encompass entire societies. An egotistical attitude toward others or even toward God is a clear indication of inner imbalances. Only a person with inner peace can strike a balance between reverence for God and respect for oneself.
Attendance at mosques, churches, or temples fluctuates as individuals struggle with personal challenges. The sense of self serves as a balancing pole between divine and human realms, yet most organized religions discourage or outright preach against fostering a strong sense of individual identity. This can leave ordinary individuals confused and vulnerable to losing their self-identity. Personally, I believe a group is strongest when comprised of selfless individuals, but it becomes even stronger when it includes people with both self-identity and inner peace.
Going to a Mosque, Church, or Temple carries diverse meanings; it’s not just for moments of personal crisis. Believing in one’s self-identity and self-respect isn’t egotistical. However, losing oneself to the extent of harming innocents to advance group causes reflects severe imbalance. Understanding these distinctions is crucial, requiring education that transcends group politics and influences. Pride in self-identity can be easily achieved, but succumbing to ego requires introspection into its underlying causes. Such critical self-reflection reveals deeper insights into oneself, others, and even spiritual dimensions.
Self-respect varies based on one’s worldview, significantly influenced by received education, often with implicit messages. For instance, in Pakistan, crimes like rape and murder are as punishable as in the West, but in Middle Eastern cultures, society might brand the victim’s family as cowardly or shameless if they refrain from retaliating. Living in such a society, where inaction due to ego is glorified, perpetuates these norms.
Taking it to the next level reveals that ego and pride are ingrained beyond individual levels. If societies and individuals fail to grasp the benefits and drawbacks of their education, they may unwittingly perpetuate self-harm. In societies where individuals have experienced such personal lives, resisting invaders can become a collective duty. These cultural compulsions perpetuate global conflicts indefinitely, fueling a constant supply of suicide bombers. Extreme behaviors fundamentally stem from ego. How can we resolve these conflicts?
Firstly, we must educate ourselves about ego. Without understanding its origins, particularly its underlying causes, we cannot address problems related to belonging. We habitually analyze our conflicts without delving into the root cause—the “dead dog” of the issue.
Examining our education systems reveals a pervasive trend: across all human societies, children are taught that they are the best. This message emanates from authority figures, governments, and religions alike. How can an ordinary individual challenge this pervasive belief? Prejudice is instilled early in homes, schools, and places of worship. We cannot sow prejudice and expect to reap harmony. To foster global unity, we must first eradicate the problematic group mentality. Only then can we pursue world peace.
This is the ‘dead dog’ of our conflicts. If you don’t address the dead dog, no matter how much water you draw from the well, the water will still stink. (Read the Dead Dog.)
There’s no denying that ego has its benefits. For example, when a father criticizes his son and the son’s ego is pricked, he may work diligently to prove to his father that he can succeed independently. However, ego is a double-edged sword; depending on how you wield it, it can aid success but harm relationships.
To truly understand ego, you must first detach yourself personally to examine it objectively. When researching any subject, acknowledging that you don’t know everything about it is essential. We must comprehend our emotions while also learning virtues like tolerance and forgiveness—teachings often preached by religions but not always practiced due to the politics of group identity. Emotions are chemicals that flood the bloodstream after a thought; for instance, if someone insults you in a foreign language you don’t understand, you may not feel angered, but if you comprehend the insult, you’ll likely react emotionally. This illustrates why understanding our thoughts and educational systems is crucial. If education promotes egotism, it impedes our ability to learn alternative viewpoints independently.
If you desire something and it goes unfulfilled, you shouldn’t simply blame God. If prayers aren’t answered, there’s wisdom or a reason behind it. If every wish were granted through prayer, humans would cease striving for their potential. We are diamonds in the rough, each possessing inherent values that emerge as we mature. Unearthing our hidden potential grants us wisdom in life. Just as a parent encourages a child to excel in all aspects of life, God provides hope and encouragement for us to develop into strong individuals.
If necessary, they will help, but they encourage the child to be self-reliant so he/she can fly solo when they are not around. If your prayers do not get fulfilled, you have another reason to take responsibility for your happiness because happiness is not about fulfilling desires; it’s about making the best with what you have. This means you have to tap into your resourcefulness, but remember, life is temporary, and you can’t live solely to fulfill your desires. If you are too attached, leaving it all behind can be very difficult and painful.
Life is meant to be enjoyed as a journey. If you focus solely on climbing, you may reach great heights, but it would be akin to a runner on a high who collapses at the end. Despite reaching a fitness peak, they can’t climb anymore and miss out on enjoying the scenery they were provided with. While there is fulfillment in striving and uncovering potential, it’s still our responsibility to savor the journey of our lives.
Man is a creator, but who gave us the ability to create, eyes to see, a mind to imagine, and hands to create? Every little discovery can boost a person’s ego, but true discoveries require a harmonious blend of all these abilities. You don’t just learn to discover from school; otherwise, it wouldn’t truly be a discovery. The blessing to mix and match and reach for more is not limited to a few; the ability to do so is within everyone. Choosing to invest time and effort is tied to free will, yet it can lead people to egotistically claim ownership. Since the brain requires oxygen to function, everything remains beyond human control. A scientist can assert many things, but claiming to know everything is rooted in ego. We have been victims of ego since the beginning, yet even after numerous discoveries, this truth eludes us.
Somehow, our ego operates unnoticed, particularly in our attitude towards knowledge, especially when it faces challenges. We become defensive, sometimes aggressive, and our resistance becomes overwhelming to the extent that we are willing to harm one another. We hold our customs and traditions dear, even when they have been proven wrong, simply because they belonged to our ancestors, and admitting their mistakes challenges our identity our own identity and place in the world. It’s a manifestation of ego-driven behavior that inhibits growth and understanding.
To overcome these limitations, we must embrace humility and openness. This involves acknowledging that our knowledge and beliefs are not infallible and can evolve with new information. It requires us to question inherited wisdom and customs critically, rather than blindly following them out of egoistic attachment.
Education plays a crucial role in this process. It should encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and openness to different perspectives. Instead of promoting ego-centric attitudes, education should foster a sense of humility and respect for diverse viewpoints.
Moreover, cultivating emotional intelligence is essential. Understanding our own emotions and those of others helps us navigate conflicts with empathy and tolerance. It enables us to appreciate the complexity of human experiences and perspectives.
Ultimately, the journey toward overcoming ego-centric behavior and fostering genuine understanding and harmony among people is a lifelong endeavor. It demands continuous self-reflection, openness to learning, and a willingness to challenge our own beliefs and biases.
In conclusion, by recognizing the detrimental impact of ego on our perceptions and actions, and by actively striving for humility, empathy, and open-mindedness, we can contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world. This shift requires collective effort and a commitment to personal growth and understanding.
Nobody should feel guilty for the wrongdoings of their ancestors because they did the best with the knowledge they had. Therefore, no religion, ism, or any social law and order was, is, or will be wrong, because we don’t just experiment with individual life plans; collectively as a group, race, nation, or religion, we try to learn as we progress. Learning about tolerance, both as individuals and as a group, is an ongoing process.
New knowledge should be grounded in logic, and we need to delve deeper into ourselves, including our sense of belonging related to ego, pride, and honor. The two most problematic areas of human knowledge are medicine and religion, where pride and ego often cloud our judgment. Human life loses its value in these domains, yet we grapple with our incomplete understanding. We should approach these subjects with humility and caution because knowledge is meant to aid our evolution, not be feared. Many are taught that our knowledge is exhaustive, but this belief limits human potential, akin to past misconceptions like the flat Earth theory, human sacrifices being virtuous, sati practices, racism, slavery, and ongoing global human rights issues.
We must not let our ego and pride obstruct progress. Even God, as a creator, would oppose such attitudes because a creator desires to see their creation reach its full potential. Hence, humanity is an evolving organism endowed with free will.
If I were to create something, I would love to see extreme powers and freedom combined with belief because a strong will, paired with conviction, strengthens the creator. It is normal for the weak to bow to the strong, but when the strong bow humbly, that’s the true essence of the concept of the Almighty.
If you believe that you have more to learn, then there should be no ego about existing knowledge, because you might need to change your position. Even if something is scientifically proven, our constant growth teaches us that we don’t just live scientifically; compassion and camaraderie have profound effects on humans that we often overlook. No one should claim to be better than others but should strive with all their might to prove that they are not inferior to anyone else.
Are you the weaker individual? Why does this matter?
We, as humanity, are at a crossroads right now. We are going through a change. Instead of fighting over God, we need to understand ourselves and our potential at a higher level. We need to think beyond religions, boundaries, and the sense of belonging. Strengthening the individual, as a CEO, is the key to bringing peace and harmony to our endangered times.
If you believe that you cannot function independently, you have been taught to be a subordinate instead of a leader. As an individual with free will, you have the choice to determine how you live your life. However, every decision you make should stem from a sense of self, not from a desire to conform, seek approval, or be admired solely due to a sense of belonging.
A sense of self is a God-given right that accompanies the gift of free will. Within each person exists an internal system that governs both the animalistic and human aspects. I refer to this as internal individual politics.
The animalistic aspect is associated with the (so-called) Devil, while the human aspect is associated with the divine. As humans, we cannot function without either aspect. We cannot eradicate our animalistic side any more than our human side. Historically, attempts to suppress one side over the other have proven futile. Therefore, the individual CEO must be politically astute in managing these aspects.
This means you can control your animalistic impulses and simultaneously appreciate life’s blessings. You can achieve internal and external harmony. When balanced, it is the animalistic side that recognizes the temporariness of life and the need to savor its pleasures. Conversely, the human side moderates the animalistic tendencies to prevent excessive indulgence. You can learn to suppress or express your animalistic nature at will, rather than being wholly influenced by it.
The animalistic side represents the raw, untamed, and uncivilized impulses focused solely on self-gratification without empathy for humanity. The divine side embodies civility, altruism, and a compassionate desire to serve others. Like the animalistic and human aspects, the sense of belonging and the quest for freedom are inherent contradictions within us. To navigate these polar opposites, we require free will and the strength of individuality to serve as the governing CEO.
Living at either extreme is not characteristic of being human. Therefore, each individual must function as a politically aware CEO to achieve internal balance and contribute positively to both themselves and society.
When you achieve balance within yourself, you can determine how you wish to engage with society. Despite the conflicting impulses and the animalistic nature within us, it doesn’t imply that humans were created flawed by God. Rather, it is a test of our free will to navigate life and choose between extremes or a balanced existence. We are not angels; we are humans, and as such, we must live our lives accordingly.
Striving for a divine way of life with acts of sacrifice is commendable, but it represents an extreme. Extremes invariably pose challenges for both individuals and society. Religious teachings have indeed inspired altruism in individuals, yet they have also fostered extreme group biases. The notion that only one’s own group will attain salvation or is righteous, while everyone else is condemned, perpetuates divisions rather than fostering spiritual unity for humanity. Spirituality inherently transcends divisions.
Throughout history, our societies, influenced by religion and politics, have sought to tame our animalistic tendencies. Pursuing personal happiness has often been deemed selfish by religious doctrines. Given that we live in group settings, conflicts inevitably arise regarding adherence to group norms. The age-old dilemma persists: to what extent should we restrain or embrace our animal nature? The forces of nature have manipulated us like marionettes since the dawn of civilization.
The animal side possesses formidable attributes. It holds the knowledge of mortality and the impulse to indulge as we journey through life. Whether it pertains to food or sex, the human and animal sides have perpetually contended over these desires. We often conceal these inner urges in an effort to adhere to political correctness. As the human side evolves in tandem with the animal side, we become shrewd, navigating social settings through political maneuvering while occasionally granting freedom to our animal instincts. For instance, conforming to societal norms by marrying according to accepted rules or indulging in a cheat day while on a strict diet plan.
Individually, we profess to wield control, yet our societies are plagued by crimes that defy societal norms. Every transgression, even those driven by passion, stems from an individual’s pursuit to satisfy their animalistic urges. Whether deemed right or wrong depends on the prevailing time and era, but the conflict between our animalistic and human sides has persisted throughout history.
Certain actions we undertake are influenced by nature, while others are guided by human intellect, which connects us to society, its customs, traditions, and laws. Some of our behaviors are so deeply ingrained that we execute them as if under a hypnotic spell. We perform these actions automatically, often without utilizing our adult capacity for logical thinking and reasoning. It is crucial to scrutinize our actions to determine if they genuinely contribute to our happiness. Engaging in actions solely due to tradition, custom, duty, or obligation can obstruct our path to achieving inner peace.
Happiness is a state of mind that sends signals throughout the body, creating a euphoric and healthy environment. The benefits of happiness chemicals are addictive and have the power to uplift us at every stage of our lives.
Living solely for others or solely for oneself represents extremes. As humans blessed with free will, either extreme is misguided. If we view ourselves merely as animals, devoid of free will, we would resemble worker bees or warrior ants, governed under systems like communism or authoritarian rule. In such systems, following our natural instincts is deemed criminal, yet in today’s world, after much experimentation and evolution, neither extreme is truly suitable for human beings.
As self-regulating CEOs of our lives, what kind of society do we create? Certainly not one akin to sheepdogs herding sheep. At this juncture, democracy seems most fitting for the CEO, although it is not a panacea because our knowledge remains incomplete and we are still evolving.
Balancing our animal and human nature, and cultivating inner peace, is the game of life, with happiness as the ultimate destination. For individuals, happiness is as essential to existence as sustenance in this temporary life. We cannot solely live for the community or solely for ourselves. Today, with our enhanced understanding of ourselves, we realize why we experience deeper happiness when we contribute to the community or assist those in need.
Understanding and never forgetting the fundamentals of life is essential. We are mortal, so life should be lived accordingly. There exists a cycle of life. Similar to our body where cells replicate before their demise to serve the body and maintain its well-being, we too are here to serve God. It is common sense that we need to ensure reproduction so that God’s work continues long after we are gone.
Since life is temporary, it should be regarded as a gift. Therefore, the time we spend on Earth should be enjoyed. We ought to engage in activities that bring us happiness and derive enjoyment from them. Choosing otherwise would mean living a life of unhappiness by our own choice.
Understanding happiness is crucial because there is superficial happiness and deeper, inner happiness. While religions offer extensive knowledge about life, what truly matters is individual spirituality. Human knowledge cannot be confined. Boundaries have been historically established for security and control, but our history proves that individuals are best suited for self-regulation. Society functions more smoothly when individuals have control over themselves as CEOs.
Throughout history, the empowerment of individuals has been discouraged. Previous governing systems have predominantly been dictatorships or religious institutions. The self-determined individual has often been pressured into becoming weaker by controlling authorities.
No one should wield God as a political weapon. Those who do so commit a spiritual crime.
There can be contradictions in knowledge across different cultures, but it ultimately boils down to the individual. Regardless of where you are born or the cultural values you inherit, you, as an individual, have the power to make decisions. Even in oppressive cultures where speaking out may endanger your life, you still have the choice to seek acceptance elsewhere if possible. While not everyone may have this option, even in limited circumstances, you can think independently and choose not to engage in extremes.
People often make extreme choices driven by personal reasons: seeking revenge for a loved one’s death, fighting for land rights, or seeking justice for a crime. Rather than blaming and invoking religious or political motives, individuals should be able to articulate their motives clearly.
Personal insecurities often drive individuals to seek refuge in powerful groups, sometimes compromising their own values. Group politics exacerbates these contradictions, and individuals must sift through political differences to make their own judgments about right and wrong.
Human beings are continually evolving. Every day brings new discoveries in all facets of life, rendering existing knowledge potentially obsolete in the future. Resistance to change is common at individual, national, and especially religious levels, with a minority staunchly defending outdated beliefs.
Throughout history, ego and pride have been both beneficial and destructive. If ego leads us towards self-destruction, it becomes crucial to understand its origins and influences. By exploring this, one can uncover the link between individual weakness and a strong attachment to group identity, often prioritizing the group’s will over personal values. My aim is to empower individuals to become CEOs of their lives, capable of critically evaluating everything before making decisions.
My ideal individual is a CEO who comprehensively understands all aspects of life and recognizes that a sense of belonging should extend to humanity as a whole, rather than to any particular group. They can adeptly navigate group politics, individual liberties, God, spirituality, and humanity simultaneously.
I aim to encourage people to discover the identity intended for them by God and to unearth their inner CEO. By doing so, individuals can not only resolve personal challenges more effectively but also contribute more productively to society, thereby fostering a robust and peaceful community.
Group politics may create the illusion of fighting for freedom, but true freedom as an individual requires guarding against becoming enslaved to a sense of belonging. It’s crucial to maintain autonomy while advocating for personal freedoms.
