Jeff wrote:
>Was it easier to tell others what to do than
>look at our own life? That was the conclusion i came to. We
>naturally move away from the painful task of analyzing our
>own life. What i wanted to see was a list that did not avoid
>personal issues and philosophy. One that kept the focus in
>this area. I can see that it is risky to open up personal
>issues and discussions, but still i wanted to find such a list.
I find it quite a challenge to rip into the seemingly never ending depth of
my own hypocricy. It is easy to throw words around, especially when aimed
at others. It is hard to see the filters we look through and the
assuptions we base everything on. I feel this list helps me. Although not
everyone is ready to look critically at themselves, some of us need to jump
in with both feet and see where this path leads.
I have said in the past that I am frustrated at the slow pace that I
actually put some of my ideas into practice. I realize why it is a slow
process, but I still ask myself why I can't take the plunge and radically
change my habits and lifestyle to be much more in line with my current
thinking. An eco-plunge! I realize that I would continue to think and
change from that point also. But I might reduce this nagging sense of
hypocricy.
Where does this sense of hypocricy come from? Why can't I change as I see
a better way? What are the obsticles, external and internal, that slow me
down? I know there is a pull from "wait until you know what you're doing
(i.e. know it's 'right')". Another pull from "don't be too extreme (i.e.
different)". Another from "just do this and this first, then . . .".
Another from unthinking habit. Etc.
I picture a future where humans have learned to live in harmony with
nature. We live within the limits of our surroundings (small local
'economies'). Resources are not moved from one area to another, at least
not on any significant scale. Sailing ships, river boats, animal power may
supply some transportation of some goods, but by and large these would be
luxuries and rare items. Local communities will have found ways of
building homes with local materials. All of the basic necessities are
produced locally (cottage industy?) with an eye on the possible impact on
Nature. The focus had shifted from objects (materialism) and technologies
(knowledge) to relationships and wisdom. We have learned the meaning of
"just enough". We aren't as concerned with our own comfort and convenience
as we are with our ability to harmonize with others (humans and other life
and things).
I don't know how far away this picture is from now, but I can see the need
for many steps on the way. The quicker we can move towards this picture
the less risk I feel humans have of suffering some major social, economic,
political turmoil. We can not continue to grow as a species. There will
be a limit somewhere. If technology only allows us to push the limit
higher, what happens when we DO reach the limit? The taller they are the
harder they fall. Why would we want to see how many billions of people can
occupy the planet at once? Why would we want to use every square meter of
arable land, or squeeze every possible bit of energy from the earth? Or
risk the consequences of pollution, genetic engineering, nuclear power,
etc.? Why do we want to go to Mars and not just a hike nearby? Why do we
create places to live (not just the house, but the whole city) that require
air filters to breath? Water filters to drink? 'Organic' lables to eat?
As I question myself, I feel I am able to get closer to what it means to be
just a human living on the earth. What I really need. What really makes
me happy and healthy. What my responsibilities are to all around me. I
think it helps me shed the layers of assuptions, labels, modes of thinking,
etc. that held me in what most Americans consider everyday life.
Now if I could just do it! ; )
Eric:
