The Protective Fence

Found this articles by one of the philosopher. Just love it and wanna share.....

A Protective Fence

Present-day humanity has, no doubt, made considerable intellectual progress. But in the external world, there is a lack of adjustment. This is the reason that among the educated people of today the number of people suffering from psychic disorders is on the increase: because there is no adjustment in the speeds of the inner and outer worlds.

Not only is there maladjustment in speed but also in rhythm; that is, the pattern of internal psychic rhythm is altogether different from the external rhythm of the objective world. Obviously, clash is inevitable and the impact of this clash is felt much more in the psychic realm than in the physical sphere. As a result, human beings lose their mental adjustment.

Many theories, sounding somewhat pleasing to the ear, have spoken glibly of human equality; but upon application people discovered the ineffectiveness of these theories, because the fundamental principles of these philosophies were contrary to the basic realities of the world. “Diversity, not identity, is the law of nature”. The world is full of diversities – a panorama of variegated forms and rhythms. One must never forget it.

Sometimes the superficial display of these theories has dazzled the eyes of the onlooker, but actually they contained no dynamism. In the end they have only flung humanity into the quagmire of dogmatism. They did not contribute to the welfare of any human being.

The devotional sentiment is the highest and most valuable treasure of humanity. Because it is such a tender inner asset, to preserve it from the onslaughts of materialism, one must build a protective fence around it, just as people put up a guard-rail around a small tender plant. Now the question is, what is this protective fence? It is a proper philosophy which will establish the correct harmony between the spiritual and material worlds, and be a perennial source of inspiration for the onward movement of society.

CHANGE NOW FOR A NEW EARTH?

It is so easy to forget that we are a part of this enormous universe where Earth planet belongs. We focus on the "me" all the time, my health, my children, my home, and my happiness, my suffering... But with all the imminent global climate and food shortage crisis, can we still afford to hide ourselves in our little world? When the Earth is destroyed, nothing else matters... we must move faster! We must act now and act fast like responsible adults. Let's not disappoint our future generations.

We are using up the Earth's resources reserve like petroleum and clean water meant for our future generations to feed our ever-expanding appetite for animal-based diet and cravings for material possessions. Can you imagine when the whole population in China and India eat and live like people in well-developed countries like US or even Malaysia?

Since when organic has become an option? It is never an option if you live on Earth. Organic is the natural choice and it is the only choice for a sustainable living on Earth. It is how life should have been. Observe the nature and you shall learn that whatever that is good for us is also good for our Earth and the reverse is also true. Rudolf Steiner, the scientist and philosopher, and founding father of organic farming, revealed in 1920s that consumption of synthetic chemicals by mothers would affect the future generations' ability to handle emotional stress later in their life, resulting in hyperactivity, mood swing, depression etc. Chemicals have been widely used in farming since our grandparents' era, which explains why emotional problems are so common these days. The good news is we know now the root cause of many problems and the solution for better health and better Earth. Choose wisely...please take care of the health of our future Earth-keepers... and please do not consume our Earth to death!

There is increasing awareness around the world, more and more people are more conscious in supporting Earth-friendly businesses. We believe that the power of group effort can change the whole society and the outcome. Do not underestimate your contribution. If one in ten people change, we can move the whole society! Everyone must have the courage and discipline to change so that the Earth can be healed, in time.

Are you thinking about what are the things you can do to contribute? For a start, I urge you to take some time, to gain some understandings on green products such as Honda, Solamas etc which I hope you can find some inspirations from these big businesses an be a greener consumer. Besides that a documentary movie 11th hour narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio is also a must watch. Take time to digest the messages spoken by the various people in the movie. I really hope that all of us will be inspired and hopeful that humankind will somehow rise and awaken in time.
Have joy in what you are doing; love where you are living; be aware of what you are buying... Every dollar you spend is a vote for what you believe in. A new Earth awaits us.

“There is sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.” –Gandhi

Sustainable Tourism

An important lesson I learned in Laos, is to become a more social conscious traveler. Beside stimulating the economy, tourism can play an important role to improve the social development and preserve the culture and tradition of the society. Here are a few examples that I could think about:

1. Fair Trade: Spend on Local Products
Instead of purchasing duty free products from multinational brand in the airport, buying the local handcrafts as souvenirs to your friends could be a better idea. if you choose wisely, some of the products are amazingly good. In addition to help sustain the local small businesses, the very few dollars they earn from you might help a family from hunger on the day, or help a child to go to school.

2. Eliminate Illiteracy
In developing countries, they have very limited books and study equipment, and they are not afford to buy it. Sharing the used materials with them could be a good means to flow in more information resources to them.

3. Knowledge Sharing
Try to talk to the people to understand the situation and give constructive suggestion for discussion, many of them can't see their future due to their limited exposure. Sharing some ideas about how to find opportunities would be very helpful. However, I always remind myself not to promise or give too much hope and expectation if I can't do it. Besides, many of them like to practice English or other foreign languages, this could be a great thing to do too.

4. Culture Preservation
Try to understand, respect and show interest to the culture so that the locals will become more conscious to preserve their own tradition. For instance, in Luang Prabang, a town in Laos, many tourists from Thailand participate in their alm giving in the morning, which gives them more incentives to continue it.

5. Ecology Preservation
Participate in some activities with the animals, especially endangered animals which need extra money to take care of them. For example the elephant riding, you gain benefit having fun communicating with the animal and learning more about the ecology, your money is wisely spend to preserve and take care of the animals. Of course if you are not an animal lover you can
try to do something else like with the plants.

6. Support Local Projects
For example, there are some bridges taking fee so that the money can be used to build and maintain the bridge which make the transportation easier. Try to pay the fee and use the bridge.

7. Share the stories with your friends.

LAOS - Nothingness

I was sad and reluctant when I was going to leave this country. Laos, and tiny country located in Southeast Asia, which seemed like there is nothing there, but I was attracted by its nothingness. I discovered the unmanifested yet unmeasurable things in this wonderful land.

The great things that I really like were the quietness, peacefulness and the hospitality & warmth of the people, which could hardly find in many other places in the world. There are a few great moments and quotes that I do not want to forget.

** "We might have less money than other countries, but I don't think that we drink less than other countries, and we are never less happier than them."
- The Laotians enjoy drinking, especially in groups, with their family and friends, and the friendly atmosphere will make you drink without realize that you are drunk, or you wouldn't care if you get drunk.

** The air is clean because there are no factories.
- However, I am concerned about the people's jobs and developments if there is no factories and power of productivity.

Of course there are also some negative sides, like their too easy goingness which could be seen as a passive factor which do not bring their economy development forward, but why should they care about development if they are happy in this stage?

Although it is not yet very serious, there are also some inevitable globalization or "westernization" which appears when you visit the night club life, like the girls in their traditional long skirt during day time changed into their sexiest costume to catch the attention of the western men.

After all, Laos could definitely offer a fulfilled trip if you are interested in the well preserved Buddhist Temples, culture and slightly back to the laid back living, with the immeasurable human touch.