Hi all,
I was discussing with a friend about the subject of anxiety recently and it would seem to me that it is quite pervasive at various times in our world. We live in uncertain times. But in actuality we have always lived in uncertain times. I wonder sometimes if some of our anxiety, on an existential level, comes from the materialistic and atheistic mind set of current Western civilization.
Within this mindset we seem to have become convinced that we can control everything. Or at least if we cannot control everything we can predict it and plan for the future. For example, we check weather forecasts and then something like the Boxing Day tsunami happens. We couldn't predict it and yet it seems that the animals that left the area before it hit could intuit it.
So how does Western materialistic society respond to this? They believe that if more money was invested into meteorology, (read Science), then tsunami's in future could be prevented, (read controlled). Now of course this would be a good thing and Science has made many wonderful contributions to the relief of suffering in the world, but the point I am making is that it is also part of a mindset that has led us to believe we, (human beings), can control everything. And here is a thought: maybe we can't.
Maybe even there is a force beyond that material world that cannot be controlled. Maybe even the "natural laws" that scientists discover are a part of that force. (And if they are they can be changed by that force). Now I believe there is such a force which for want of a better world I will call the Universe. (You may say God/Goddess/Great Spirit etc but the Essence is what I am concerned with here).
Now if you contend that human beings are not, and never can be, in full control of their lives because of the Universe then for some that may be a terrifying thought. But there has to be an assumption underlying that attitude and that is that the Universe is ultimately hostile. I don't believe that. I believe that the Universe is ultimately Benevolent. Note that doesn't mean that the Universe doesn't have hostility in it just that it is not it's Ultimate Nature.
Believing in a Benevolent Universe sometimes in hostile circumstances requires something that Science cannot give us and that is Faith. Science can never answer the ultimate questions and neither for that matter, in my opinion, can external religious authorities. Ultimately the answers are inside You. Others may guide you but the answers are Within.
Why? Because you also are part of the Universe.
So since you can't control everything you may as well do the best you can and then relax and Trust to the Universe.
For practical help in dealing with fear and anxiety I would recommend Dr Susan Jeffers book "Feel the Fear and do it Anyway". Get it here
Until next time,
As always,
Blessed be,
KK
I was discussing with a friend about the subject of anxiety recently and it would seem to me that it is quite pervasive at various times in our world. We live in uncertain times. But in actuality we have always lived in uncertain times. I wonder sometimes if some of our anxiety, on an existential level, comes from the materialistic and atheistic mind set of current Western civilization.
Within this mindset we seem to have become convinced that we can control everything. Or at least if we cannot control everything we can predict it and plan for the future. For example, we check weather forecasts and then something like the Boxing Day tsunami happens. We couldn't predict it and yet it seems that the animals that left the area before it hit could intuit it.
So how does Western materialistic society respond to this? They believe that if more money was invested into meteorology, (read Science), then tsunami's in future could be prevented, (read controlled). Now of course this would be a good thing and Science has made many wonderful contributions to the relief of suffering in the world, but the point I am making is that it is also part of a mindset that has led us to believe we, (human beings), can control everything. And here is a thought: maybe we can't.
Maybe even there is a force beyond that material world that cannot be controlled. Maybe even the "natural laws" that scientists discover are a part of that force. (And if they are they can be changed by that force). Now I believe there is such a force which for want of a better world I will call the Universe. (You may say God/Goddess/Great Spirit etc but the Essence is what I am concerned with here).
Now if you contend that human beings are not, and never can be, in full control of their lives because of the Universe then for some that may be a terrifying thought. But there has to be an assumption underlying that attitude and that is that the Universe is ultimately hostile. I don't believe that. I believe that the Universe is ultimately Benevolent. Note that doesn't mean that the Universe doesn't have hostility in it just that it is not it's Ultimate Nature.
Believing in a Benevolent Universe sometimes in hostile circumstances requires something that Science cannot give us and that is Faith. Science can never answer the ultimate questions and neither for that matter, in my opinion, can external religious authorities. Ultimately the answers are inside You. Others may guide you but the answers are Within.
Why? Because you also are part of the Universe.
So since you can't control everything you may as well do the best you can and then relax and Trust to the Universe.
For practical help in dealing with fear and anxiety I would recommend Dr Susan Jeffers book "Feel the Fear and do it Anyway". Get it here
Until next time,
As always,
Blessed be,
KK
