| We live in a world which can best be | | | | spiritual responsibility. Lacking an |
| described as a dystopia. The nation states of | | | | individual system of spiritual responsibility |
| the world have devolved to an extent that | | | | leads mankind to a state of existence in |
| social mobility in many regions of the planet | | | | which there is no accountability for negative |
| is non-existent. The disparity between the | | | | actions, thoughts or energies. |
| "haves" and "have nots" grows globally at a | | | | |
| steady and insidious pace. | | | | This lack of spiritual self leaves a void in |
| | | | the existence of humanity, a void which soon |
| Veils of ignorance are fostered and | | | | becomes filled with the basal instincts of |
| encouraged by governments seeking control of | | | | the human animal, instincts of violence and |
| the masses by means of instilled complacency. | | | | prejudice, territorialism and hatred. |
| Pseudo-democratic regimes offer a higher | | | | |
| standard of living only to those willing to | | | | This scenario leads inevitably to many of the |
| sacrifice a self informed world view. | | | | events being played out in the headlines we |
| | | | read today. We see not just an increase in |
| Such a world is always just one small step | | | | violent crimes, but an ever increasing level |
| away from complete anarchy. At any given | | | | of brutality and disregard for human life. We |
| moment circumstances may be set into motion | | | | see the trends toward war and domination. We |
| which spiral humanity uncontrollably towards | | | | begin to see a spiral of devastation looming |
| complete chaos. Recent events involving the | | | | on the horizon. No institution, religion or |
| after effects of hurricane Katrina in the | | | | government has the power to reverse these |
| United States best illustrate the nature of | | | | trends towards cataclysm. If the collective |
| the human psyche at this point in time. | | | | mind seeks chaos then chaos will rule. |
| | | | |
| Life for many of us defies all meaning. We | | | | Only the acknowledgement of our individual |
| struggle numbly from day to insubstantial | | | | spirituality has the power to alter the |
| day. Stressful experiences are mounted upon | | | | momentum of our existence. Acknowledgement of |
| more even stressful experiences. We look | | | | our spiritual worth leads to accepting |
| sometimes at the lives that we endure and | | | | responsibility for our roles as agents of |
| wonder if there must be a better way. True | | | | change. |
| happiness seems always to be something | | | | |
| relegated to others more fortunate than us, | | | | There is hope. The growing interest in all |
| constantly out of reach or beyond our power | | | | matters of spirituality reflects an |
| to realize. | | | | instinctive need to bring equilibrium to a |
| | | | world overburdened with negativity.Whether |
| Governments offer little more than further | | | | this interest is in Buddhism, Meditation, |
| tension to what we often perceive as lives on | | | | Reiki, Christianity or any other form of |
| the brink of complete disintegration. | | | | spiritual awareness, it matters only that the |
| Religious leaders and institutions mostly | | | | individual finds a unique sense of spiritual |
| serve to further the confusion and anxiety | | | | self. |
| which we feel about our lives. | | | | |
| | | | Only when the number of spiritually |
| Hope, more and more often, seems to be a | | | | enlightened individuals has grown to a |
| fruitless endeavor, a waste of what little | | | | sufficient number will the current global |
| emotional energy we have left at the end of | | | | trends towards hostility cease. Only when the |
| the day. We retreat back into the cold, grey | | | | individual takes steps to understand the |
| numbness of our minds and try as much as | | | | importance of the spiritual self can |
| possible to forget any of the apparent myths | | | | spiritual death be reversed. |
| we have heard of this thing called joy. | | | | |
| | | | There is hope for you to find your spiritual |
| It is my belief that the human race is | | | | identity. All you need to do is accept the |
| suffering from a spiritual death. In fact | | | | need for it and it will be found. You will be |
| most of the people on this planet are | | | | drawn instinctively, as many others have |
| spiritually dead. Without a sense of | | | | been, to seek information and guidance. It is |
| spiritual self, the human experience is | | | | most important that you select only a |
| reduced in meaning to nothing more than that | | | | spiritual path that fits you personally; you |
| of carbon based life form. | | | | will know when you have found it. Do not be |
| | | | swayed by the beliefs of others. Develop your |
| I share the view that the spiritual death of | | | | own beliefs. Above all, take personal |
| the population, if left unchecked, will | | | | responsibility for your spirituality and |
| result in catastrophe. Without a personal | | | | create positive change. |
| sense of spiritual worth there can be no | | | | |