At this moment, humanity knows a great deal about the universe, Earth, its creatures, biology, chemistry, anatomy, psychology, warfare, anxiety, language, architecture, and much more. Yet, we are far from knowing everything. Imagine if you had a business plan with as much detail as our current understanding of the cosmos; you'd be ready to go. You don’t need to know everything to live a comfortable, happy life here on this planet, in our own version of the Garden of Eden.
We will eventually have to learn how to live sustainably because, at some point, there will be too many humans, too many conflicts, too much pollution, not enough food, and insufficient resources. If everyone had a small understanding of the impact humans have on the planet and each other, we might still struggle to change. Change requires letting go of old patterns, fixing our character defects, avoiding procrastination, and overcoming prejudices. It means giving up things we think make us happy but only hold us together superficially.
We might need to become more stationary, own fewer objects, and eliminate superfluous items. Many people would need to get sober, undergo trauma therapy, and let go of ultra-processed foods. Dealing with anger, depression, chronic anxiety, and low self-esteem would become essential.
It’s not easy to figure out how to clean the oceans of plastic. It’s not just about throwing garbage into the oceans; the root cause lies in human psychology. We often freeze in the face of overwhelming news about plastic pollution, warfare, and starvation because we don’t know what to do as individuals. This paralysis is understandable given our personal stresses: family, finances, health, career, and societal challenges.
For example, you might be a victim of societal biases, such as being a lesbian, black, Jewish, or an immigrant. These added burdens make it even harder to focus on additional problems. This slow progress affects how we treat each other and the planet.
Here are a few things you can do to help: start with breathing exercises to become more relaxed. If you’ve read this far, you’re already someone who can make a change. Practice deep breathing to get more oxygen to your brain and reduce stress. Over time, a few minutes of daily relaxation can add up to significant benefits. You’ll develop an inner dialogue, stay focused, and be present outside of anxiety and cravings.
Identify foods, people, and media that agitate you and stop consuming them. Gravitate toward teachings that illuminate life’s path. As you become clearer-minded, you’ll understand teachings from both ancient and modern times.
Life’s purpose, in essence, is to preserve and honor it. Life is rare in the vast cosmos, and it’s imperative that it prevails. The universe has invested vast resources in creating this planet and its life forms.
Humans are unique with their intelligence and creativity, yet we struggle with resource depletion, cleanliness, and interpersonal treatment. Despite this, humanity has shown remarkable progress in awareness and consciousness. The challenge is managing our growing population and technology for the greater good.
To make significant change, we need to address corruption and bad leadership, which exacerbate human problems. Bad leadership leads to more crime, punishment, and conflicts. It’s difficult to stand against oppression, but necessary for progress.
We must stay alive and work towards change without martyring ourselves. The older generations, resistant to change, will pass, and new generations with sensitivity to these issues will emerge. By doing inner work, you help fulfill the universe’s purpose of sustaining life.
Teaching compassion and non-harm, you become a representative of the value of life. The universe will guide you, not necessarily with material rewards, but with awareness and consciousness, allowing you to enjoy a guilt-free existence.