I wanted to post two photos: the first, the Earth from the Moon. The second, the Earth from Saturn. Both powerful and humbling.
But sadly for the most part, have had little consequence on our relationships with each other or our relationship with the Earth.
56 armed conflicts (wars) are present, in this moment, in our world.
For any moral philosophy to be relevant and meaningful, the assumption, fact or belief that all life is a function of interdependent relationships must first be present. It is not.
From Phillip Zimbrado:
"It is not through sin that the Devil opposes God. the Devil's strategy for our times is to trivialize human existence. And to separate you from me, and us from them."
Somewhat on topic. I came across this word based formula - simple, perhaps oversimplified or maybe deeper than its childlike surface: Truth + Care = Love.
If truth isn’t an abstract form, isn’t a scurry for power but simply a clear relational signal. And if care isn’t a performance, a philanthropist’s gala, a sacrifice but a relational reach without expectation, then perhaps there’s more to these two combined. Love seems to fit. And so too the other way…
It’s fascinating but tragic too that much of our moral conundrums, perhaps all, are self imposed. And that’s not a flaw, per se, we’re all somewhat launched into things, open, deeply feeling, before feeling is a concept, deeply vulnerable, absorbing both what nourishes and what traumatises, like a sponge thrown into a wide ocean. And maybe that’s why limited belief systems, black and white ideas, full of assumptions, assured of “knowing”, takes root, appeals, even celebrated! It keeps us guarded, from the openness that wasn’t rewarded, the relational nature of well, everything - is far too open, and it’s precisely that openness we’re wanting to guard ourselves from. But it’s the lack of it that narrates the tragedy. So yeah, consciousness remains a hard problem, but it’s just a hard shell we forget we’re retreating into. But that’s the thing with hardness, it’s by its very nature - brittle, fated to crack - that lets the light shine through… to borrow, oh wise Leonard!
Perhaps expanding our circle of care to the cosmic might happen in stages.
One Milky Way Galaxy with billions of Earth-like planets might be a start.
Or even just one solar system - with Mother Earth as a member of a family of extraordinary celestial bodies. What does it mean to expand our circle of care to Brother Mars or Sister Venus? What was the relationship between Mars and Earth when both were young and vibrant?
While some are considering the Rights of the Moon, how do we feel about Jupiter or Saturn? Oceans of water have been found on several planets and moons within this solar system. What might be our relationship with the more-than-human Solar System?
Much of our understanding of Earth is very likely missing a much bigger picture.
I’m going to share some of your thoughts in a course next month that’s exploring what it means to have a galactic perspective. I’m now going to reframe that to a galactic circle of care. Thanks 🙏🏼
In the last months, I have come to feel (as a bodily inference) that all attempts to sacralize the cosmos (and yours is one) leave me numb. Why? I think all of them may stem from a "father sky" perspective rather than from a "mother earth" one, which is mine. Mother Earth in these crucial times for her future is begging us to walk the talk of sustainability, rather than indulging in what I call the (western) "fallacy of the more".
Thank you. Some important thoughts and questions.
I wanted to post two photos: the first, the Earth from the Moon. The second, the Earth from Saturn. Both powerful and humbling.
But sadly for the most part, have had little consequence on our relationships with each other or our relationship with the Earth.
56 armed conflicts (wars) are present, in this moment, in our world.
For any moral philosophy to be relevant and meaningful, the assumption, fact or belief that all life is a function of interdependent relationships must first be present. It is not.
From Phillip Zimbrado:
"It is not through sin that the Devil opposes God. the Devil's strategy for our times is to trivialize human existence. And to separate you from me, and us from them."
Can we move beyond our separation?
This is my hope:
Questioner: How are we to treat others?
Ramana Maharshi: There are no others.
Thanks Michael, that's a very good point. I agree.
Somewhat on topic. I came across this word based formula - simple, perhaps oversimplified or maybe deeper than its childlike surface: Truth + Care = Love.
If truth isn’t an abstract form, isn’t a scurry for power but simply a clear relational signal. And if care isn’t a performance, a philanthropist’s gala, a sacrifice but a relational reach without expectation, then perhaps there’s more to these two combined. Love seems to fit. And so too the other way…
Love = Truth + Care
I LOVE that 🙂. Very much on topic.
It’s fascinating but tragic too that much of our moral conundrums, perhaps all, are self imposed. And that’s not a flaw, per se, we’re all somewhat launched into things, open, deeply feeling, before feeling is a concept, deeply vulnerable, absorbing both what nourishes and what traumatises, like a sponge thrown into a wide ocean. And maybe that’s why limited belief systems, black and white ideas, full of assumptions, assured of “knowing”, takes root, appeals, even celebrated! It keeps us guarded, from the openness that wasn’t rewarded, the relational nature of well, everything - is far too open, and it’s precisely that openness we’re wanting to guard ourselves from. But it’s the lack of it that narrates the tragedy. So yeah, consciousness remains a hard problem, but it’s just a hard shell we forget we’re retreating into. But that’s the thing with hardness, it’s by its very nature - brittle, fated to crack - that lets the light shine through… to borrow, oh wise Leonard!
oh wise David 😊
Just ranting some randomness that could stick… and so thanks for listening!
Thanks for sharing: keep ranting :)
A very deeply researched and well written article, I loved reading it . Very much
Thank you 🙏🖤
Perhaps expanding our circle of care to the cosmic might happen in stages.
One Milky Way Galaxy with billions of Earth-like planets might be a start.
Or even just one solar system - with Mother Earth as a member of a family of extraordinary celestial bodies. What does it mean to expand our circle of care to Brother Mars or Sister Venus? What was the relationship between Mars and Earth when both were young and vibrant?
While some are considering the Rights of the Moon, how do we feel about Jupiter or Saturn? Oceans of water have been found on several planets and moons within this solar system. What might be our relationship with the more-than-human Solar System?
Much of our understanding of Earth is very likely missing a much bigger picture.
I’m going to share some of your thoughts in a course next month that’s exploring what it means to have a galactic perspective. I’m now going to reframe that to a galactic circle of care. Thanks 🙏🏼
In the last months, I have come to feel (as a bodily inference) that all attempts to sacralize the cosmos (and yours is one) leave me numb. Why? I think all of them may stem from a "father sky" perspective rather than from a "mother earth" one, which is mine. Mother Earth in these crucial times for her future is begging us to walk the talk of sustainability, rather than indulging in what I call the (western) "fallacy of the more".
Thanks, yes, I can see that.
Great post. Thanks for bringing Bobby Azarian to my attention!