We are subjected on a daily basis to violence and violent acts – a bombing here, a murder there, some small wars beginning everywhere, and so it goes. None of it is real, though, to the average person’s reality. We have our Digital Age (1) and its handmaiden the mass media to thank for this perception. The net result is fear. Ask any class of bright-eyed adolescents and they will assure you that we live in heartless and bloodthirsty times.
The Internet is much like a tedious soap opera, isn’t it? Each day plays out with a new and pernicious scene, in the same yawning and boring manner. The question becomes, how much can the human mind take in before it goes blank and totally adopts the view that we live in a state of barbarity and savagery? Or even better – this is one of the core attributes of being human — we are beasts just waiting to be ignited into a state of ruthlessness and butchery. Some most certainly have crossed the threshold. The number of firearms in private hands in the US, for example, would suggest a society that believes Armageddon (2) has arrived. I, for one, do not, and I am not alone with this view.
I constantly look for reinforcement of the consciousness that I occupy. Is my perception flawed — am I wrong with how I see the world? People often ask me what the most endearing thing about Taiwan is. I would say that it has to be the people: those small acts of kindness. This is an interesting idea that has a basis in many religions. Judaism for one has the concept of mitzvah, (3) a type of religious obligation that believes that the world is based on “random acts of kindness.” Confucius tells us that to practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; the list includes seriousness, generosity, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
For sure, in this society, you will be “hard pressed” to find a door held open for you or hear a salutation when you enter or exit an elevator, but you will find an unsolicited smile at just the right time. Recently, I was terribly behind in my schedule and had to stop at a store in spite of this. As I returned to my motocha, the man parked beside me beamed as if I was a known celebrity and wished me a nice day – wow!
This realization is not only confined to Taiwan, however. I have had the felicity to travel extensively in my life. Notwithstanding this, I have never been shot, stabbed or blown up. In fact I do not know anyone who has encountered this misfortune and they, in turn, do not know anyone who knows anyone who has encountered this calamity either. This would lead me to agree with Sadhguru (b. 1957) and conclude that, as a species, we exhibit opposite traits. We are, in fact, naturally happy; normally peaceful; intrinsically loving, and innately seeking to improve our world and the world around us.
Why then is our information stream so malevolent? In a word: money – trepidation has currency. It sells newspapers, as the founders of Yellow Journalism (4) discovered, and, more importantly for our age, it sells weapons. The Boogeyman (5) is coming and I must protect myself from his encroachment – pure nonsense, but “it sells.” Between 2008 and 2015, Taiwan was the 10th largest purchaser of US weapons. (6) Where can we put them on an island this small – terrifying when compared with our aging and decrepit school infrastructure? The iconic writer and pacifist, Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), leaves us with a thought: It is often said that the invention of terrible weapons of destruction will put an end to war. That is an error. As the means of extermination are improved, the means of reducing men who hold the state conception of life to submission can be improved to correspond. They may slaughter them by thousands, by millions, they may tear them to pieces, and still they will march to war like senseless cattle. Some will want beating to make them move, others will be proud to go if they are just allowed to wear a scrap of ribbon or gold lace. (7)
A closing thought: I have a deep-seated belief that if we continue to promote critical thinking, the world will eventually change. I am not naïve: the forces ranged against this view are enormous. I do take solace from Gandhi, nonetheless. His view that “one act can make a difference,” eventually led to the independence of India in 1947. We must simply keep pushing and encouraging. Men intrinsically are not violent. I do not want to kill you; I want to kiss you instead!
To sum up: This week, we spoke about violence and how it does not belong to the range of natural human emotions. It is something imported and artificial, much like any addiction – alcoholism, for example.
A philosophical question: Why is good luck so fickle? Some days we find our money, our watch, our jewelry, etc. Yet at other times, nothing appears in its given place. It is hidden away only to be discovered when the day has lapsed and the item is no longer important. I have to go to the bank to get the additional funds necessary, for example, only to find the money later that evening – life is so unfair!
Just for fun – Harry Styles
This week, please ponder how much peacefulness truly means to you.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: Beauty is to be discovered in the smallest of creatures.
Footnotes:
2) Armageddon
3) Mitzvah
5) The True Origins of The Boogeyman
6) Taiwan is the 10th biggest purchaser of U.S. arms
7) Leo Tolstoy: The Kingdom of God is Within You (ISBN 978-1371-2562-89)