Catastrophes and Disasters: we still need each other

Catastrophes  and  Disasters: we still do need each other.

·        To help us all.

·        To mourn our dead and losses and loved ones who are dead.

·        To reconstruct the damage.

·        To celebrate that we are alive.

·        To take care of the planet and all endangered species.

·        The dream of a more sane and eco-friendly planet.

Since the Asian Tsunami of year 2004, there have been many catastrophes the world over. For instance Earthquake in Haiti and yesterday’s (February 27, 2010) the major quake in  Chile. These catastrophes have been going on and on like mud slides as in Italy a few weeks ago. The heavy rains as in Buenos Aires, Argentina (South America) with inundated the underground subway. There have been heavy snowing as in the East coast of USA some weeks ago that almost paralyzed Washington DC for and the President Obama named something like “snow-geton” perhaps paraphrasing a major catastrophe called the Armageddon.  .Some years ago Hurricane Katrina almost wiped out a whole city of New Orleans in the USA.

These events are no mere nature accidents. I do believe human action is related to them; we may think of them as “natural accidents.”  There have been measurements coordinating human social negativity and catastrophes carried out by the Global Coherence Initiative. Although it might seem farfetched, they may be a grain of truth, or much. Almost four decades ago, the yogi Maharishi, who introduced Transcendental Meditation to the west, researched that delinquent behavior and crimes decreased in cities where there were a minor percentage of TM mediators. It was called The Maharishi Effect

Since ancient times traditional beliefs have stated that there is a relationship—or correlation-- of human affairs and nature’s conduct”.  During Imperial China and India Many rulers Kings or Queen we credited with the power of joining heaven and earth. Heaven means —inspiration. Arts and ethical behavior-- and “ Earth” – means practical issues business, crops and social affairs and trade—then nature was benevolent, the seasons were appropriate, and there were—said the legend-- no natural catastrophes. This vision is stated beautifully in the book “Shambhala: the sacred path of the warrior.” This is a seminal book written by the late Tibetan meditation master and artist, Chögyma Trungpa.

It might be easy to agree that the heavy burden of much damage and evil stems from extreme human negatives behavior: Hatred, compulsive behavior, heavy substance abuse and drug trafficking, corruption and other ways of unethical behavior.  The recent world recession 2008-2009 is totally human made: a world catastrophe that ruined millions of people, lost jobs, property and assets devalued and incredible human suffering.

Global warming is well documented and the UN panel sates that some 90% of these issue stem from deforestation, heavy industrial imbalances and toxics waste into the land, the seas, and the atmosphere.

Some lessons:

We could learn from these emergencies:

The earth is fragile. We as human need the planet more, than the planet need humans. But Earth seems to get violent a furious sometime and delivers “catastrophes and disasters: hurricanes, tsunamis and so forth. Green and Clean energies are needed; we all know that, we need all non toxic energies. Humanity spent coal energies in about 150 years, now cheap oil is finished in another 150 years. Gas and second generation biofuels might be a tradition. We have limited time, probably one generation (20 years). The Earth may seem a “sacred place” for many; or a simple “natural resource” for others. Is “teaching” us  humans a lesson: we could call it “don’t mess with me” or just “care for me”: Whichever you like. Make your pick.

Great fullness & Solidarity: the many things we have that are daily comforts like running n water, hear, petrol or car or supermarket conveniences. We usually forget them and not only ask for more, we even demand more and sometimes “snatch” things form one another in a frenzy of competition instead of cooperation. When nature cracks open pour little technological toys, whether cities or cars, the best of humans comes forth: solidarity.

Forgiveness: our mistakes, our shortcomings the damage we have made. This might help all humans, learn from our mistakes will increase prosperity and bring harmony to institutions the world over. It is a way to pacify the fury of whatever cosmic forces are against human destruction.

Slow down: Look, listen and see. Our current way of life is full of speed, toxic speed. We hardly listen to each other, feel each other. We react at increasing speed. We treat harshly ourselves and one another. We are not being proactive. We need appreciation, silence, prayer and meditation. This is more than relaxation. It is the cultivation of harmony and peace.

In ancient China, and up to today in some locations, doctors are paid for the least sick people they have in their county, or region.  Makes sense and it is very ecological.

As the approached their death the passages of the Fourth plain of the 9/1 terrorist attack than went down in Pennsylvania and the kidnapping was aborted.

Calling home from their mobile homes, or to their loved ones, near death all passengers said the same thing:

WE LOVE YOU!

Gustavo Jimenez Lagos

February, 2010

Chile, South American

In the eve of the greatest earthquake

In South America.

Of the 21 century.