The evolution of human consciousness

by changeling 31 Replies latest jw friends

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  changeling

  We often compare those who act violently to animals.

  We do the same with those who rant and rave irrationally.

  Even those who do not believe in evolution do so. They say things like: "that Jeffrey Dhamer was an animal", or "terrorists are animals".

  Could they be right? Could violence and irrationallity be a throw back to an earlier form or being?

  Are those who would not contemplate such behavior more evolved?

  What about war hungry politicians? What about those who make the military their career?

  Do you see a change in consciousness around you? Do you yourself feel that violence of all forms, even war, is animalistic and to be avoided at all cost?

  Do you see a subtle change towards this thinking in the world today?

  Do you think in some distant future, humankind as a whole will no longer have a need for violence, and will solve problems w/o resorting to war?

  Do you think that will be as a result of evolution? An evolution of the mind and consciousness.

  Am I just ranting and raving?

  changeling
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  Paralipomenon

  I finished reading the biography of Einstein recent who was a strong pacifist. He could not see reasoning to war and fighting and encouraged all people to actively oppose war.
  
  It was an utopian view that he later changed his mind on. Having lived to see the rise of two world wars and what individuals, unchecked were capable of he changed his view from absolute pacifism to that of defense and even offensive policing of nations that wish to attack others.
  
  True pacifism is a dreamers ideal. So long as people remain capable of assaulting another, there will be the need to defend oneself. If you see your neighbour stockpiling weapons and signs up on his lawn stating his hatred of you, you would be a fool to let him continue to prep while doing nothing.
  
  Eventually Einstein conceded that even pacifists should proactively arm themselves when faced with a potential threat, but when there is no threat, peace should be the goal.
  
  I find that a very reasonable stance to take.
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  changeling

  "...when there is no threat, peace should be the goal".

  Para: shouldn't peace always be the goal? And if it's not what is?
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  MegaDude

  Human consciousness is evolving much faster. A lot of it is due to the Internet, I believe. But we're extremely flawed as a species. It is not in our nature to coexist peacefully with one another and we never will.
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  Paralipomenon

  Peace is a fine goal so long as everyone is working towards it.
  
  But the question that plagued Einstein was, how do you remain a pacifist when someone like Adolf Hitler is in power in the country next to you? Do you turn a blind eye to the massacre of the Jews in the interest of peace?
  
  Would you let the Nazis invade your country and murder your family in the interest of avoiding war?
  
  Where is the line between fighting and defending? When is war justified?
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  JamesThomas

  Changeling:

  Am I just ranting and raving?

  You may be. However there is a time for sane ranting and raving. My sense is you feel some genuine sense within you that things can be different, and one would have to be a fool to ignore such a message.

  I strongly suggest that everyone who would sincerely like to be presented with a amazingly clear and eloquent explanation of why the insanity has been as it is, and, more importantly, the way out of it that we individually can make, read the book: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, by Eckhart Tolle. Better yet, listen to the eight CD audio book that Eckhart narrates, as it adds the important element of his sincerely loving and caring voice.

  The audio book is also available as a torrent download.

  j
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  changeling

  Thank you James Thomas. I do feel a need. A need to say that we can aspire to more. We can indeed change the world one mind at a time.

  I have no illusions that I will see a peaceful and sane world. Neither will my children or grandchildren.

  But I would not be true to myself if I did not say to all that that's is what I'm working towards.

  If peace is the goal, then let's work towards it by our thoughts, words and actions. Let's scatter the seeds so others can plant them elsewhere.

  Let's not put down those who have ideals, and close the door on their dreams.

  Let's consciously and deliberatly change our mindset and consequetly that of others.

  changeling
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  OICU8it2

  I think peace is a good goal but freedom is better. Peace can occur even in prisons or repressive regimes. These are just semantics but generally pursuit of freedom is worth breaking the peace.
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  changeling

  I am not a "pacifist" in the sense of laying down and playing dead and letting others harm me or my loved ones. We do have to deffend ourselves and others.

  But, at some point, if we are to have peace, we must show our vulnerability.

  We must take a chance and say "I will not attack you, you have nothing to fear from me".

  Sure, you could then be attacked and have to fight back. But maybe, you would make your "enemy" think.

  Maybe, your stand could be so astonishing as to send the "enemy" running and perhaps even change him, if not into an ally, into a non- threat.

  And maybe, you have a fertile ground for true and lasting change-evolution of thought and consciousness.

  Again, not in this lifetime or anytime soon, but do you think we as a species will get there?

  I do.

  changeling
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  the dreamer dreaming

  it seems to me that the basic problem is and has been that most humans are entranced by religon culture and tradtion to serve false ideals [idols?] which demand that they hate and do all in their power to undermine everyone who does not obey their hypnotist, er, leader, god, whatever.

  more and more people are awakening to the fact that just about all belief systems are bs and that no one really knows the answers as tehy are pretending--that may indicate an evolution in consciousness as fewer and fewer are allowing others to think for them...I may be just imaginging this .

  ... until a number large enough to effect change is reached we will not solve the real problems because most people are under the notion that THEIR Belief System already has t the answers.