A high level of individuality may be the Achilles heel of
our species. Group intelligence saves penguins, many other birds, and fishes
from predators and environmental challenges. This opinion may be a bit
simplistic but it seems that Darwinian explanations fail most obviously with
the human species. Unless, of course, we
factor in an unscientific but universally human recognition that we also deal
with destructive forces operating internally that are just as threatening as
earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. We have added our human genius to this
list of natural disasters in the development of weapons of mass destruction.
However, these weapons are so terrifying that so far, America is the only
country that has actually used them for a military attack. At last, humans fear
their potential for complete undoing.
It’s ironic that a young country such as America initiated the terrible
possibility for total destruction. I’ve long feared that the world may be
falling under the total control of the mentality of a 15-year-old geek, all
brain and gonads, and both under an out of control ego.
The world is brimming with human inventiveness and we are
ever so busy getting smarter. We want all of our inventions to be smarter and
smarter all the way to smart watches. Even
smart eyeglasses are on the way. I find it troubling that we are so smart
technically and yet people are using their intelligent tablets and smart phones
to take selfies, watch funny cat videos, and text about what they had for
lunch. It is of course possible to get much deeper on the net and more creative
with a smart phone if you choose, but
the point is we need to feel connected to others of our species (as well as other species) and we are choosing
this high tech environment to do less well what a natural environment would provide. I’m wondering if anyone else
finds it ironic that such advanced technology winds up in service to trivial and
primitive purposes. It’s about money I suppose. This gathering of money is then
about power: The power to make other people dependent on the purveyors of these
addictive toys and the victory over competitors. The emotional environment surrounding this
sophisticated technology is quite unsophisticated.
I recently had a dream about living on an island without
electronics and motorized transportation. At first, I almost panicked and then
gradually discovered how little I needed from the high tech world. Little by
little, I discovered very satisfying ways to do everything necessary. In fact, it
felt very light and free. Maybe it was a wish to go back to basics and sort out
what is actually necessary for life and happiness. I wouldn’t be writing this
without electronics but I don’t fully use those that I have and find it
challenging to keep up with Facebook, Twitter and even an archaic venue like
email. Sometimes I feel pushed onto a faster track than I want to run.
 |
| Cecil without a clue he would become a famous Martyr |
There is more than one kind of intelligence. The heart
chakra and its particular intelligence are undeveloped in our current state of
evolution. There is no equivalence of an
IQ test for emotional and relational intelligence but it is vitally important
for the continuance of our world. The
use of higher powers for lower ends defines black magic but also technology
without a heart. It is the heart chakra that relates the physical with the
spiritual, and the individual with the whole.
However, there are signs of advancement. The outrage over the killing of Cecil the
magnificent African lion is something unlikely to have happened twenty years
ago. I suppose hunters kill animals like Cecil to magically acquire their
native beauty, wildness and power. It was sad for both the lion and the
dentist. He seems very wealthy for a
dentist and quite egotistical to pay a fortune for the privilege of taking the lions life force to hang on his wall. However, I find some of the comments on this
event troubling. There is so much raw
hatred and condemnation by the hunter’s critics. Many of the critics seem to be
coming from a state of mind as uncooked and primitive as the hunter’s state of
mind. The heart of both the hunter and
his enraged critics is in danger and won’t be healed by lion hunting or by hatred
of lion hunters. Only a sense of belonging to everything that happens in this
world will take us beyond victimization and revenge. Leo the Lion astrologically rules the heart,
courage and creativity. This present human world in need of heart and every
action wittingly or unwittingly carries a cosmic stamp. Isn’t it ironic that this lion has become a
martyr for the rights of the natural world? Cecil is us.
Humans have a long history of destroying what they admire. The Roman's almost extincted several species of wild animals in their circus. They had great admiration for a brave death. It seems that such a death made life worthwhile. Although that philosophy seems barbaric to us we still have many attachments to Roman culture. However, modern hunters avoid putting themselves face to face with deadly animals and prefer rifles and high powered bows.
