| We live in a world which can best be described as a | | | | system of spiritual responsibility leads mankind to a |
| dystopia. The nation states of the world have | | | | state of existence in which there is no accountability |
| devolved to an extent that social mobility in many | | | | for negative actions, thoughts or energies. |
| regions of the planet is non-existent. The disparity | | | | This lack of spiritual self leaves a void in the |
| between the "haves" and "have nots" grows globally | | | | existence of humanity, a void which soon becomes |
| at a steady and insidious pace. | | | | filled with the basal instincts of the human animal, |
| Veils of ignorance are fostered and encouraged by | | | | instincts of violence and prejudice, territorialism and |
| governments seeking control of the masses by | | | | hatred. |
| means of instilled complacency. Pseudo-democratic | | | | This scenario leads inevitably to many of the events |
| regimes offer a higher standard of living only to | | | | being played out in the headlines we read today. We |
| those willing to sacrifice a self informed world view. | | | | see not just an increase in violent crimes, but an ever |
| Such a world is always just one small step away | | | | increasing level of brutality and disregard for human |
| from complete anarchy. At any given moment | | | | life. We see the trends toward war and domination. |
| circumstances may be set into motion which spiral | | | | We begin to see a spiral of devastation looming on |
| humanity uncontrollably towards complete chaos. | | | | the horizon. No institution, religion or government has |
| Recent events involving the after effects of | | | | the power to reverse these trends towards |
| hurricane Katrina in the United States best illustrate | | | | cataclysm. If the collective mind seeks chaos then |
| the nature of the human psyche at this point in time. | | | | chaos will rule. |
| Life for many of us defies all meaning. We struggle | | | | Only the acknowledgment of our individual spirituality |
| numbly from day to insubstantial day. Stressful | | | | has the power to alter the momentum of our |
| experiences are mounted upon more even stressful | | | | existence. Acknowledgment of our spiritual worth |
| experiences. We look sometimes at the lives that we | | | | leads to accepting responsibility for our roles as |
| endure and wonder if there must be a better way. | | | | agents of change. |
| True happiness seems always to be something | | | | There is hope. The growing interest in all matters of |
| relegated to others more fortunate than us, | | | | spirituality reflects an instinctive need to bring |
| constantly out of reach or beyond our power to | | | | equilibrium to a world overburdened with |
| realize. | | | | negativity.Whether this interest is in Buddhism, |
| Governments offer little more than further tension to | | | | Meditation, Reiki, Christianity or any other form of |
| what we often perceive as lives on the brink of | | | | spiritual awareness, it matters only that the individual |
| complete disintegration. Religious leaders and | | | | finds a unique sense of spiritual self. |
| institutions mostly serve to further the confusion and | | | | Only when the number of spiritually enlightened |
| anxiety which we feel about our lives. | | | | individuals has grown to a sufficient number will the |
| Hope, more and more often, seems to be a fruitless | | | | current global trends towards hostility cease. Only |
| endeavor, a waste of what little emotional energy | | | | when the individual takes steps to understand the |
| we have left at the end of the day. We retreat back | | | | importance of the spiritual self can spiritual death be |
| into the cold, grey numbness of our minds and try as | | | | reversed. |
| much as possible to forget any of the apparent | | | | There is hope for you to find your spiritual identity. |
| myths we have heard of this thing called joy. | | | | All you need to do is accept the need for it and it will |
| It is my belief that the human race is suffering from | | | | be found. You will be drawn instinctively, as many |
| a spiritual death. In fact most of the people on this | | | | others have been, to seek information and guidance. |
| planet are spiritually dead. Without a sense of spiritual | | | | It is most important that you select only a spiritual |
| self, the human experience is reduced in meaning to | | | | path that fits you personally; you will know when you |
| nothing more than that of carbon based life form. | | | | have found it. Do not be swayed by the beliefs of |
| I share the view that the spiritual death of the | | | | others. Develop your own beliefs. Above all, take |
| population, if left unchecked, will result in catastrophe. | | | | personal responsibility for your spirituality and create |
| Without a personal sense of spiritual worth there can | | | | positive change. |
| be no spiritual responsibility. Lacking an individual | | | | |