That is a great question. Well, in none of what I said in my writing, do I imply that we do not engage with the world and all its injustices. I absolutely support all the protests, all the town halls, all the activism that is going on, provided it doesn't turn into violence. It's sad, that it is turning to violence in some instances.
However, while I support these activisms/protests, they are trying to do one thing that is harder to do: Change other people to think like them. The fact is, nothing in the phenomenal world is permanent. Everything changes, even in ways we don't realize. People change, societies change, cultures change, come and go, etc. And they change in ways we don't always want it to. So what I am also suggesting in my last writing, is that it's easier to start with ourselves, first, than change other people. (Again, all the while continuing protests, activism, etc). But I emphasize that I mean this **collectively**. I feel that much of the conflict that arises on the outside, starts from conflict within each individual. So, while extremely ideal, ideally I am suggesting the whole country, collectively, each one individually, work on their own emotional, physical and spiritual well being, as well as engage in healthy relationships with others. It takes effort to do this. A lot of people don't want to put in the effort; they automatically look for inner well being in the wrong places, such as the economy, job opportunities, politics,politicians, money, etc. Yes these things are there, and we cannot pretend to avoid them. We have to deal with the economy, the state of the world, making a living, the political situation, etc. And all of those can, in some instances, serve to elevate us in several ways. (While they can also make us very unhappy to unhealthy levels too, depending on the situation). But these are far from the first places to look, to work on our inner well being. We should be looking at philosophies (spiritual or otherwise), nature, hobbies, finding the right relationships with the right people, exercise, eating better, etc. These things, and probably others I did not mention, should be that main wellspring to draw from. Believe me, I know I am speaking from an extremely idealistic ground. I know. But I firmly believe that the better, more at peace, more positive we are within ourselves, the more that energy radiates outwardly. And while it will never eliminate conflict, protests, disagreements, etc (I would never expect it to), I would think those things would be significantly reduced, if we all worked on ourselves first. Best, Vik On Fri, Jun 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM Ernest Prabhakar <[email protected]> wrote: > Very well said. I completely we need to start by pursuing inner peace and > healthy relationships, or we will do more harm than good. > > The question I am wrestling with is: what then? How do we engage with the > world, and all its injustices, from that place of serenity and hope? > > I have some thoughts, but am curious whether the question even makes sense > to you… > > E > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Jun 19, 2025, at 12:35, Beaches & Nature fan < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > I know I have written a lot lately, and I promise that this is the last > thing I write, for now. I think, it is a conclusion to all that I have > written. As with all my writings in this group, feel free to share them > with anyone, even outside this group, if you are interested to do so. > > > > Humanity is a tough beast. it is a beast full of deeply conditioned, > ingrained habits. Humanity has its sides of good, evil, greedy, corrupt, > etc. > > > > Therefore, it is people that corrupt, not so much the systems. Whether > government, capitalism, or any other system, no system is ever perfect, > because the people in that system are imperfect. > > > > Therefore, Democracy, that beautiful word that some people are so in > love with, and that I just talked about in a previous email - even a > Democracy cannot possibly root out all corruption, and it can easily > devolve into tyranny, like it may be doing now. > > > > So where does that leave us? What is really the solution? Lycurgus, a > lawgiver in ancient Greece, once said, "Begin with your own family." Well > said. > > > > There is greater anxiety now than maybe ever before, for all kinds of > reasons, due to the times we are in. The reasons could be the division > between superior and inferior, decline in family structure, increase in > wealth gap, leading more people to feel like they are less, they are > inferior etc. and more. > > > > This anxiety is causing greater greed, and causing people to take rash > actions that they maybe wouldn't have, 20, 30, 40 years ago. > > > > Therefore, instead of depending on governments, systems and politicians > entirely, our own Inner Government is more important than anything external. > > > > We cannot depend too much on others, to be responsible for our own > mental, spiritual, and physical well being. It is us, who must therefore do > this.. > > > > I am not saying don't depend on governments or capitalist systems, at > all - they do have benefits, they do help put food on the plate, etc They > have good and bad things. I am not trying to go to extremes here. > > > > But in the end, the greatest happiness comes from within. I firmly > believe that. Work on your own attitude, your own well being. Meditation is > one way I highly recommend. Studying a spiritual , religious or otherwise > deep philosophy that adds perspective to all the emotion in dealing with > life, is another way, which often can be integrated with meditation. These > may or may not work. But feel free to try them, if you want to. Also try to > eat right and exercise- diet and exercise really does affect our mood and > attitude. Very important. > > > > Your hobbies, your interests...focus on them, a lot more than on > politics. Again I am not trying to go extremes here. We should see what is > going on politically, from time to time. But understand that there are not > too many things on the outside that can automatically make us happier. > WE...WE need to cultivate this inner peace from within. > > > > Family friends, these are important too, to provide emotional support. > But be careful - make sure you spend less time with those who are negative, > than those who are more positive, uplifting, etc. > > > > So in the end, for each individual, one by one, our own Inner Government > is the most important. Through hobbies, interests, > spirituality/religion/meditation/philosophy, through family and friends for > emotional support (choose them wisely though) - these things are more > important than politics or outer government will ever be. > > > > I hope everyone has a great rest of the week. Be safe and in peace, > everyone. > > Best, > > Vik > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/RadicalCentrism/CAK2f143bu%3D3DSojWrw%2BfYPiucP1RJi6BZ7g1Mhqbt5o1R1K%2Bzg%40mail.gmail.com.
