“Are you
part of the problem, or are you part of the solution?”
I remember
hearing this phrase at university. This was during the
late 1960's and early 1970's, a time of great activism
on my campus. I was often told by activists that if I
was not actively working for social change and the
betterment of conditions for my fellow man, then I was
'part of the problem'. However, I noticed that the
actions taken to improve conditions for my fellow man
usually had nothing to do with my fellow man, but more
with the personal hatreds of those who had vowed to tear
down 'the system' or eliminate 'the establishment'.
There are
many activists around the world who are working to
create better conditions in a positive way, rather than
focusing on destruction of the unwanted. But
nevertheless, I always wondered how to be part of the
solution. And I wondered how one got to be part of the
problem? What is the problem, and what is the solution?
I assumed
that the problem was injustice, inequality, poverty,
war, and disease, and that the solution was getting rid
of these. I saw people join the Peace Corps and help
humanitarian groups on the one hand, and argue for war
and conflict and join the Marine Corps on the other.
Both sides would tell me that the 'problem' was the guys
on the other side. Not understanding the Universal
Operating System as I do at present, I was a pretty
confused person.
Apropos of
our discussion of problems, I realized that being part
of the problem was no different than being part of the
solution. If one approaches something unwanted with the
idea that it must be fixed, one merely makes it bigger.
So those who are fighting poverty are in perfect
alignment with those forces in the 'establishment' who
like to see inequalities in wealth. Why is that? Because
both sides have their focus on poverty. Those who are
protesting war are doing their bit to promote war, as
are those who actively like the idea of war.
If one
approaches an unwanted thing with the idea that it is a
problem, one is doomed from the start! No matter which
side one attacks it from, the problem just gets bigger.
We discussed this in the previous essays; the solving of
problems usually leads to more of the same in the
experience of the problem solver. You become an
attracting magnet for those things you don't want, a
sort of carrier of the unwanted thing. In this way you
slop the problem around to others, like a pig flopping
around in a mud pile. And so you become 'part of the
problem', the problem being that which you, personally,
believe is wrong.
Of course,
all of this is relative; for one person's problem is
another person's joy! But it is not a very good idea to
promote the thing you do not like.
This seems
unfair, because the Universal Operating System seems to
be arranged so that injustice, war, poverty and disease
have just as much right to exist as peace and
prosperity. And in fact, this is correct. The universe
seems to be arranged such that all of the bad stuff has
just as much validity as the good stuff! That is creepy
to some, and seems to violate everything I have said
about the universe, and the energy of life, being
benign, does it not?
Well, The
Law of Free Will gives us carte blanche to create
anything at all. There is nothing we can do to prevent
others from thinking, feeling, and acting in any way
they see fit.
Oh, we can
join protest groups (if we are not quite with it) or
work from a positive platform to create a better
situation for our fellow man (if we are a bit more on
the ball). But surely, we would not want others to be
able to shove us around, or interfere in our lives! So
why would we assume that others wouldn't feel the same
way about our attempts to right what we feel are the
wrongs of the world?
Is there
really a way to change the world ?
Actually
there is, and there are people who have discovered how
to use universal principles to their benefit.
The key is
realizing that in order to change the world, one must
first change ones self.
One becomes
that which one wants the rest of the world to become,
and then presents ones self to the world as a perfected
example of that which one desires.
Christ is a
perfect example of such a one. This dude was really
smart. He understood completely the laws of the universe
and everything he thought, said or did came forth from a
complete connection to universal energy. Of course, many
consider that Christ was God, and it seems that God
might have an unfair advantage over a mere mortal! And
of course, he was. We are all aspects of God, here on
earth to experience in our own unique way. A more down
to earth example was the great humanitarian Mahatma
Gandhi.
There
probably is not a single more powerful example of the
application of universal law in the entirety of human
history than this guy. Through the powerful, clear
vision of his desire, and his connection to the energy
of life, he was able, nonviolently (well, mostly
nonviolently. That was his intent, at least!) to affect
a change in the course of history for a nation of 400
million people.
He did it
simply by positive creation, unswerving action
invariably lined up with his goal, and the utter refusal
to even contemplate ideas or feelings counter to his
vision. In other words, Gandhi did not look at the
British occupation as a problem. He saw it (in my
interpretation) as vibrational matching. He had a vision
of Indian independence, and ultimately, the cooperation
of the various political factions and cultures within
his country. He did not consider the British to be part
of the problem, nor any of his countrymen who disagreed
with him. He ignored the conditions others saw as
problems, concentrating only upon his positive vision
for the future.
Gandhi led
an entire nation through his pure vibrational example,
and became an inspiration to the world as well. He did
not fight or protest against those who were opposed to
his vision. He allowed, within himself, all thought and
action because he was smart enough to realize that he
could not overcome the free will choices of those with
whom ha had to deal.
Yet, he was
able to effect change on a grand scale.
Of course
we all know the story of Gandhi, how he was shot by a
religious fanatic, and the splitting off of Pakistan,
and the riots that resulted in the aftermath of Indian
independence. We know from our study of the U.O.S. that
Gandhi must have let some of the unwanted vibrations
become activated within him; or, perhaps, he got tired
of it all and wanted a quick end to his life.
The point
is, to change the world, Gandhi changed himself. He did
this by aligning with the energy of life, which is
positive and powerful; by becoming a living example of
that which he desired the world to manifest.
This is the
only way to benevolently change the behavior of others.
It is
considered too hard by most, and so mostly mankind
attempts to regulate behavior by passing laws, or
through force of arms, or coercion.
To change
the behavior of others, their cooperation and
willingness must be engaged. Otherwise, what you have is
History of Planet Earth. Pick up a history book
sometime. In it you will find.... what?
The dates
of wars, their beginnings and endings, who got killed in
them, and all of the reasons for them.
War,
conflict and poverty for the masses. That's what history
on this planet has been.
It just
seems outrageous that we have to allow the egregious,
heinous, and outrageous acts of others, does it not?
Some might say that the philosophy I have presented is
just another way to keep people enslaved. However, I’m
not smart enough to cook up an entire philosophy on my
own. I’m just expounding on universal principles that
have been around for thousands of years. If you observe
your life and the lives of others you’ll find that the
more you fight something the bigger it gets! Look at the
‘war on terrorism’ and the ’war on drugs.’ We began to
fight terrorism for real in Afghanistan during the
Soviet invasion in 1979. We supported Iraq in its war
against the fundamentalist regime in Iran. We placed our
troops on Islamic soil to protect ourselves from
terrorists. And then we got 9/11 and the Department of
Homeland Security! Do you think our society is more or
less drug free than before the ‘war on drugs?’ Well,
look around you. Watch TV and see all the drug
commercials. It seems that you can’t even go out for a
walk anymore without popping a pill!
People just
don't want to believe that it is impossible to
deactivate or get rid of something by fixing or handling
or DOING something about it.
Campus
activists used this idea a lot. After speaking about the
horrors of poverty (lets say), the concluding line would
be “and what are you going to DO about it? You can't
just sit there and pretend it doesn't exist. It isn't
going to go away by everybody ignoring it!”
But,
shockingly, this universe is designed so that ONLY by
ignoring something can it go away! Only by ignoring
something can the vibration within you become dormant;
otherwise you are like the guy who keeps banging on the
tuning fork. Every time you hit it, it rings. Every time
you place your attention on something, you begin to
resonate to it.
Free will
reigns supreme everywhere in the universe. All thought
and action is sanctioned –– if you don’t believe that,
observe the world around you. Indeed, if the universe is
to survive and grow their CANNOT be any restriction upon
thought and action. We have all observed that something
either grows, or it stagnates and dies. This universe is
dynamic, and it is never the same from one moment to the
next. That is precisely because of free will. All
conscious beings everywhere in the universe are
choosing. In every moment there are new decisions, new
ideas, and all of this new thought contributes to the
expansion of the universe; ensures that there will
always be more and more and more and more exciting
things to do!
I always
hate to end a great book, or a great vacation, or any
wonderful experience because I know it can never be the
same way again, and I am afraid that I will never
experience anything so delicious ever again. But the
something new always comes up. And that is what makes
life so special, so wonderful, because every new
experience is different. Every situation has, within it,
the potential for greatness!
Some might
argue that war and disease and poverty is not growth,
but who are we to say? Perhaps, those of us objecting to
war have already lived many lifetimes as dictators,
soldiers, or civilians who get mashed. Perhaps we have
grown from our experiences and realized the futility of
such scenarios. Who are we to deprive younger souls of
their chance to grow as we have done? It all depends
upon your perspective, and your reasons for coming to
earth.
So lets
celebrate diversity even if it is upsetting to us. For
if there were restrictions upon our freedom, life would
stagnate. It would cease to grow, to expand, and we
would be left with a limited set of choices, a limited
number of experiences. Like going to a restaurant every
day and seeing the same 10 things on the menu. Like
looking for a new pair of shoes and finding the same 5
styles.
Imagine a
world peopled with persons just like you. For a while it
would be great fun, but eventually would turn into a
nightmare. Diversity in thought and action is the pearl,
the treasure, of existence, for diversity gives us many,
many choices. That is true freedom!
So what can
we conclude? Is it possible to be a part of the
solution? The answer is, yes, if it brings you joy.
The
solution is always that which makes you feel joyful,
light hearted, and enthusiastic. The solution is a
connection to the energy of life.
Is it
possible to be part of the problem?
No.
For a
problem to one person may be the solution for another.
It is
possible to become part of A problem, if you give
attention to the thing you are trying to get rid of.
Then you are a beacon for the vibrational signal of the
problem.
THE Problem
doesn't exist, and neither does THE solution. All
problems and solutions are based upon personal
preference.
In a
universe of free will, that is the only way it can fall
out.