Everybody
knows that the Sun is at the center of the solar system, and the planet Earth
in which we inhibit, is circling around the sun, not the other way around. However from the point where we live, it was
more convenient to assume the earth is at the center, and
the sun with
the rest of planets, stars are circling around it. The astronomical terms are “heliocentric” for
the former and “geocentric” for the latter.
Though we know the “heliocentric” view is more scientifically accurate,
in reality, the “geocentric” view is what appeals to us more real. Thus, from our point of
view, it is the sun
that rises
and sets
every day whereas the earth beneath us stays ever so still.
There is
nothing wrong in whichever view we take it for convenience sake as long as it
serves us. But it
becomes problem when we hold onto the assumed truth for too long because we
tend to lose a perspective with time. The false truth that we are at the center of
the universe, not the sun, turns into the truth, thus distorting our views to
discern what is real from what is not, what is more important from what is not. Thus we start to function based on many false
assumptions not only in the astronomical belief but also in many other areas in
life including taking our planet Earth for granted.
In this
Earth, there inhibit, billions of human being alongside with other species like
animals, insects, plants, etc, sharing its eco system in perfect balance and
orderliness that the Nature has designed and maintains
it in perpetual equilibrium. The Earth is the landlord and we human and other species are the
same co-tenants sharing its compartments in different tenancy terms. Different life forms come and go in constant
flux, so are our human lives on the earth.
But we
assume as though human are the owners while other species are liabilities—abusing,
destroying and manipulating it to suit our needs, as we like or dislike. The sky, the sea, and the forests…they are
ever being exploited by our humans’ insatiable greed. Thereby the global warming phenomenon causing
much unusual weathers patterns lately and frequent earthquakes keep erupting throughout
different parts of the world.
As much
as we are concerned with the Earth’s health, even greater concerns are our
failing morality, poor emotional intelligence which is the byproduct of
the fast technological advancements in our society. Thus creating much personal and
social crisis by and large. The computer
has taken over much of others’ existence from the individuals’ lives, that,
large portions of population are turning into extreme egocentrics.
They think they are in the center not only of
the earth but the entire society and the
universe. Everything revolves around the
“me” and “mine.” “I” am the most
important and top priority above everyone else.
The each “I”s demands their every need to be met as soon as they want it
as though
the universe owes them a huge debt. Or
else hell breaks out with anger, frustration, disputes,
often leading to
personal crisis, family conflicts, social crimes or international wars,
etc. Living too long in the assumed
truth like geocentric and heliocentric, we became terribly lopsided in our
views and our collective sanities are reaching to much dangerous level. Just open the daily newspapers. See how crazy the world and people are these
days?
Because
we have been living in a confined reality for too long, we have lost a perspective about
wholeness and get preoccupied with too petty things in life instead. Everyday most people’s concerns are revolving
around what to eat an how to lose pounds, how to save my dollars while looking
for anything better deals or free lunch opportunities, how to show off our
aggrandized image with finest houses and furnishing, imported cars and branded
items, etc. Like a hamsters running in
the wheel, like an ostrich who buries its head in the sand to escape from
danger, doing the same things over and over again for days and nights and
years… many just
keep running because everyone else is running too. They forgot they don’t have run if they
don’t want to. They forgot “I have no
choice” is the assumed truth. We just
need to stop and turn around to see the real truth.
Where
are we going? What are we doing? Do you ever stop and think for a while? The longer we live, the narrower and tighter
our brain usage becomes. Many are like psychos
but they don’t know. They
are so mental,
absolutely selfish and crazily obsessive about “what’s in it for me?” with not regard, no respect for others that it is
almost nauseating.
Yes, ultimately
all our lives are self-serving ones. Without
“me”, other people, other species, even the entire universe is no use. Whether they will last for billion lights
years or not, it doesn’t matter once “I” am dead. It doesn’t matter whether some greedy
developers and manufacturers are destroying the green forests or fuming out
polluted gas in the air, or suicide bombers are blowing people and places away
from somewhere else, as long as “my” living conditions, “my” securities are not
affected or threaten by it. It doesn’t
matter how much others working hard or suffering in the neighborhoods, other parts of the country and the world as long as “I” and “my” family
have enough food, clothing and shelters to keep us well and safe… that is how
our limited mind functions. When we
don’t reflect regularly upon the big picture, to the Truth,
we human beings can be really some egoistic, selfish or demonic creatures ever.
As much
as our family, property and happiness are important to us, so are to others,
different species and our environments.
As much as our privacy, lifestyle is precious, so are to others
too. How can we wish for others to be
nice and kind to us when we are not? How
can we blame others being selfish, greedy when we are only interested in ourselves?
I feel
immense pity whenever I see someone so preoccupied with themselves only, living
in their heads while wondering why happiness and peace seem to be so difficult
to get despite how hard they work for it.
What they don’t realize is that, supreme happiness and abundance are
attainable only when one can switch one’s attitude from “what’s in it for me?” to
“what I can contribute?”, moving from the self-centered mind over to the four
immeasurable minds—loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity—towards
oneself as well as others. Only then,
one can see the interconnectedness of not only humans but with all other beings
in the world and the universe, like the difference between the assumed
geocentric truth and the heliocentric Truth.
How much
do you uphold the Truth in your everyday lives?
Do you assume your life, family, health, job and fortune are sacrosanct? Or are you afraid of losing them even a bit, is
that why you hold your breath and fist so tight to work so hard day and
night? When is the last time you took
the deep breath that reached down till your toes and fingertips? When is the last time you saw the golden
morning sun rays or the glittering morning dew in your neighboring park? Or are you waiting until your retirement day
to have enough time to enjoy those natural things around you because you are so
busy at the moment…?
Time is
fleeting through our fingers. Our
children are growing up fast and the crowfeet at the corner of our eyes are deepening by day. Even the most wealthy and all mighty Madonna can’t do
much rather than struggling to hide her sagging cheeks and wrinkles with
airbrushes. What to say the mere mortals
like us… In fact
Time was moving so fast that I stopped trying to catch them up. Instead, I simply started to exist in the
present moment. Just living one day at a
time, walking one step at a time and enjoying moment by moment…it has given me
tremendous sense of freedom and joy. There
are still many things, projects that I have set out to accomplish but not done
yet or some didn’t even started yet. But
I feel okay to live with those imperfections now.
