The Lack of Spirit

People around the world are not happy with the direction of events. But few are those who recognize that if the situation is worsening, it is because nothing is being done to improve it.

The unhappy and severe events are consequences of actions taken in the past. These past actions promise to generate a future with even greater difficulties as human beings don't accept the idea that they are responsible for the sad and unwholesome conditions in the Planet.

Instead, they blame others and are consumed by hate and bitter complaints, thereby making the situation worse. What might one expect in the United States, in the November 2004 elections, if opposition party wins? Maybe some little changes, although the campaigns lead to exaggerated expectations. In Brazil, also, the new party in government has continued the policies of the previous govenrment. The gears of the Laws of Creation have already been set in moption, bringing the unpleasant final effects.

In the current situation there is little space for improvement and real progress. Distrust governs the world today. Envy and hate are together tearing the harmony among people, and everything becomes brutal. Some solidarity is observed but in general, under the pressure of the Light, in all countries and in every place, it is as if everyone simply wishes to take care of his/her own survival; altruistic actions and genuine love are disappearing. Many want to receive and to take for themselves, to promote their personal objectives, but few wish to give and to offer; few are sharing out of love.

At the time of the Industrial Revolution, the population was pushed off the land for a precarious life in cities working more than 14 hours per day. If there was poverty then, greater poverty lies ahead . Billions of people in Asia are entering the industrial economy in Asia, especially in China and India, with an inhuman struggle for survival frequently, involving from 20 to 30 uninterrupted working hours; ,these are in turn having economic consequences at the global level.

In the current situation there is little space for amenities and real progress. Distrust governs the world today. Envy and hate mix together tearing the balance among humans, and everything becomes brutal. The existence of some solidarity is observed yet, but in general, under the pressure of the Light, in all countries and every place, things looks like if every one takes care of its own survive, with all against all, because the disinterested love is disappearing. Many want to receive and to take for itself, to assist to their personal objectives, but few wishes to give and to offer, sharing love.

At that time of Industrial Revolution, the population was pushed off field for a precarious life in cities with more than 14 hours of labor per day. If a lot of poverty happened, larger poverty comes ahead. Billions of people are penetrating inordinately in industrial economy in Asia, especially in China and India, with an inhuman fight for survival frequently in turns from 20 to 30 uninterruptible labor hours, provoking economical consequences at world level.

With the economy relying directly on consumerism, there is a huge waste of energy, with disastrous consequences for the environment. The rise of oil prices is putting an end to cheap energy but the worst problem facing humanity, will be the shortage of potable water, which is rapidly approaching as a result of waste and lack of preservation effort of this very vital and precious resource.

All of this is beclouding the American dream (a dream that for American people life would always be a party with music, dances and a lot of abundance), especially as symptoms of corporate corruption, deception and of job insecurity are appearing. The film "The Pianist", remind us of how solidarity developed among those people after suffering and afflictions during the Second World War. After the War there was an air, a certain halo of hope for a better future. The great suffering broke human beings' spiritual indolence, inducing them to research the meaning of life. The 1960s and partly 1970s witnessed many studies and analyses about life. The cultural elite as well as the general population showed a lively interest in seeking the essential meaning of life . With the longing for earthly pleasures and increased pressure for survival, this impulse progressively stagnated.

Hazel Henderson observed that human societies are undergoing a restructuring and accelerated global change. We humans are approaching our final exam on the Earth. If we cannot learn to coexist and to live with other species within biospheric rules, we will be extinguished. According to her our essential task is to learn to live wisely and in harmony with nature (Hazel Henderson, "Beyond Globalization", Kumarian Press, Inc.). In her book, the researcher quoted Václav Havel, Czech President as stating:

“A thing we know: the human societies are suffering a restructuring and global change accelerated. We humans are approaching our final exam on the Earth. If we cannot learn to coexist and to live with other species inside biospheric rules, we will be extinguished… Our essential task is to learn to live wisely and in harmony with the nature”.

(Hazel Henderson, "Beyond Globalization", Kumarian Press, Inc.)

In her book, the researcher mentioned Václav Havel, Czech President:

“It is necessary to change and to improve our understanding concerning the true purpose of our existence and the reason we are in this world. It is only with that new understanding that we can develop new models of behavior, new scales of values and goals, and, consequently, to invest in the global regulations, treaties and institutions with a new spirit and meaning.”

But now again we are in a precarious situation on this restless planet, devastated by so much poverty and many afflictions, with fear gripping humanity. More than ever, human beings should reacquire the indispensable solidarity and consideration for everything that lives in the wonderful Creation.

In all of this, the spirit that vitalizes the body, could make the great difference, because, it is incarnated on earth to develop and to bring nobility to human activities. But human beings must first be equipped with spiritual knowledge and go beyond their intellectual boundaries. It is imperative that today that human beings become aware that they are spirit, body and mind, so that they may attain the true spiritual freedom; because only the human being who lives consciously in the Laws of Creation is free.

“Everything then serves him instead of obstructing his path. It ”serves” him because he uses it in the right way.”

(“In the Light of Truth”, lecture “Submission”, by Abdrushin)

Benedicto Ismael Camargo Dutra