Crisis of the current world

Consciousness, as I understand it, doesn’t originate from matter but rather the other way around. Matter emerges from consciousness. Nature is made of both matter and consciousness. At a material level, nature has no morality. It is brutal. Yet, at the level of consciousness, the larger nature has a rhythm. It is not random and chaotic. This rhythm is the rhythm of the divine or the sacred. It's not about adhering to a grand plan; instead, it's about the perpetual process of becoming and unbecoming

Our interconnectedness with nature and all beings stems from our fundamental nature as consciousness, beyond the limitations of body and mind. Honoring this interconnectedness involves caring for both nature and our fellow beings. We dishonour the whole when we act selfishly and treat everything with an utilitarian mindset. The universal values of goodness, beauty , love, connection exist in the world regardless of race, religion, gender. Just as a beautiful flower exists as an expression of beauty, so too does a beautiful person. Appreciating such beauty doesn't have to inlcude selfishly exploiting it for personal gain. Similarly, goodness as an inherent and intuitive knowing. There is no conflict in the fundamental good. There is no my good vs your good. It's universally understood that harming other beings is not aligned with this intrinsic goodness. We all understand that intuitively unless brain damaged such as in psychopathy.

The current world is geared towards valuing pleasure and utility. We go to nature spots to take pictures so that we can post them online and get likes on social media. We do not stop and savour the moment. The number of selfies and photo ops done on vacations far supersede the quiet moments spent in experiencing nature. We get together in groups to eat sub-optimal food and consume alcohol as that gives us pleasure.? A group struggles to accept someone who says that they don’t drink alcohol or eat meat or chooses to eat simple foods.? Each person cares about furthering own agenda by forming bonds that are instant and shallow. There is no empathy towards diversity of any form including diversity in non-humans. Loud and ostentatious behaviors, alongside unhealthy consumption patterns, epitomize this pursuit of pleasure at the expense of nature, health, and inner peace.

Two of the most common responses in a world where humans have chosen to? numb their minds with relentless pursuit of pleasure are - “I do not think so much” or “I cannot commit ahead of a week”. Nothing is long term. It is about maximising pleasure right now at all costs. In such a world, people are bound to find themselves feeling empty once the transient pleasures deplete their capacity for joy.

The recurring theme in my interactions with clients of all ages is that there is a meaning crisis in the world. People want to matter and want to make a difference through their lives. Yet, they feel hollow and empty. Even the traditional values of family don’t seem to give them meaning. They are especially vulnerable when crisis hits them in the form of health or job loss or death of others. In a such world devoid of meaning, we need to look beyond our own life stories. We need to find something that helps us to look forward and yet holds us steady without feeling unanchored. We need to ask ourselves tough questions such as who we are fundamentally. Rather than seeking external validation or purpose through social activism, we must introspect and connect with our inner wisdom. This inner wisdom may indeed guide us towards actions that benefit the environment or marginalized communities, but it doesn’t lead to pessimism or superficial optimism. It leads to connection even with those that are different from us. It leads to conversations around our differences and a way forward together. It leads to a steady mind, a loving heart and a generous spirit.