I do not claim to be mentally free from tribal, ethnic and cultural identification. From his ground-breaking book, “Breaking the Habits of Being Yourself,” Dr Joe Dispenza talks about ‘how to lose your mind and create a new one.’ I call him a humanist scientist. He discussed epigenetics, which he refers to as the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
Dr Joe postulates that as humans our thoughts alter our genes and that how we think can heal us or make us sick.
The environmental factor. Growing up in an exclusively rural and customary environment and setting, I absorbed the traditional schooling which essentially emphasised and glorified ethnic and tribal identity of the individual. I became of age and still had little understanding and awareness about the essence of my humanness and the diversity of humanity itself. Unconsciously my personal identity as a reflection of my people’s heritage, traditions and customs, in the context of their environment had formed. Fortunately according to Dr Joe’s scientific break-through, there is hope. By altering our thoughts and cultivating awareness, childhood cultural, institutional and religious indoctrinations can principally and universally be transformed to serve mankind rather than the individual.
On the physical plane, who truly are human beings and why are we inhabiting the earth? Are we spiritual beings having human experience or human beings having spiritual experience? Then after a short or long while the soul leaves this plane and the body is returned to earth!
Are these questions thought-provoking or common knowledge?
Do the wise call philosophy a study of proper behaviour and search for wisdom? Have ancient philosophers asked, “What is the meaning of life?” I am not a philosopher nor have I found the truth. But I am a seeker, seeking the truth because truth must be there. Often, after brief episodes of mind activity, I catch myself answering these questions in line with my cultural and religious understandings and beliefs. My Personal desires and cravings race for attention and a win-lose, scarcity mentality demands a decision.
Why is suffering rampant in the world today? Too many innocent people find themselves in dangerous, life-threatening situations deprived of human dignity and life necessities including food, clothing and shelter. And on a deeper level, this suffering is tragically man-made and meaningless. It is becoming a common knowledge elected and self-proclaimed politicians perpetrate and exacerbate suffering through planting seeds of division.
Is there suffering in Australia? The word suffering seems harsh but there are too many Australians living on the periphery of society, experiencing little hope things will change for better? Australians are over 25 million and from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious background. And pundits and population analysts continue with the dichotomy. On two major levels, we are made up of the indigenous and non-indigenous people. And then Europeans, Asians, and Africans. And then Arabs, Indians, and Highlanders. And then Italians, Chinese and Lebanese. And then Sudanese, Vietnamese, Afghanise and so on and so forth.
Has the ‘successful Multicultural Society’ unconsciously focused and emphasised ethnic and racial differences in the name of respect and cultural preservation? As ordinary citizens, do we first of all see nationalities and then Australians or vice versa? How does our upbringing affect how we relate to one another? Is it appearance or the invisible that determines our humanness?
There is a divine invisible force in every human being. Are we truly conscious of this?
Why despite human advancement in science and technology, education in general, have ethnic and racial differences seemed to be on the rise? Are we regressing, going backward to the days of us versus them? Have we allowed fear of the other to flourish and now seems to be winning? The recent Christchurch massacre of innocent human beings highlights this assertion. Have we emphasized cultural and religious beliefs at the expense of the essence of being human? It is fair to assert that not principles based teachings, dogmas, doctrines, cultures, beliefs, and laws have devalued and dehumanised humans. It is said in scripture that beliefs and laws were created for humans and not humans for beliefs and laws. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, scripts and Sadducees for claiming and showing they were all knowing.
Where is the way and who is pointing to the way?
Too many humans are unconsciously suffering self-inflicted pain. In his book, the Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle talks about two levels of pain: current and past pain. The current pain is self-inflicted and the past pain was due to environmental situations people were born into and brought up in. the current pain is within our power of control. ‘You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are!’ Eckhart writes. ‘Our dehumanised industrial civilisation has exacerbated human suffering?’ He adds. Have humans allowed material possession and physical comfort to define their humanness? It is true too many of us human beings are suffering because of cultural and religious beliefs identification. Can we rise above man-made limitations?
There are no any people born inferior and ought to be looked after. The mind levels certain people as inferior and others superior.
Are schools, religious teachings, and cultural beliefs responsible for the world problems?
‘Why aren’t children taught definiteness of purpose in public schools?’ Napoleon Hill in his book, ‘Outwitting the Devil,’ asked the Devil. ‘For the reason that there is no definite plan or purpose behind any of the school curricula! Children are sent to school to make credits and to learn how to memorize, not to learn what they want of life.’ The Devil replied. ‘The only thing of enduring value to any human being is a working knowledge of his own mind. Religious beliefs do not permit a person to inquire into the possibilities of his own mind, and the schools do not recognize that such a thing as a mind exists.’ The devil.
There is transformational power in all human beings. This power can be called universal energy, consciousness, awareness, infinite intelligence, spiritual awakening. Perhaps it does not matter what it is called. We can find peace and happiness from within. It is arguably true that environment, cultures, beliefs and teachings are responsible for human suffering today. It is also equally true that many are suffering self-inflicted pain.
“If the sight of a blue sky fills you with joy, be happy, for your soul is alive.” Unknown.
Francis Deng, author of a child Escapes: boy soldier’s journey from civil war to civic pride.
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