We are all suppose to be afraid. Fear is used as a driving force in our society. The media and politicians' business is to sell fear. The use of fear funds the bloated military budget, fuels the movement against gays, lesbians and immigrant, supports the outdated and costly anti marijuana policies, enables the intrusive policies enacted at our airports, to say nothing of the politicized congress, and the increasing use of corporate run prisons to control the population.
But is there really anything to be afraid of. I believe there is far less to fear then we are led to believe. Indeed, the promotion of fear is not useful in our post modern society.. Fear is being used to manipulate and formulate public opinion. One thing that our current society excels in is the use of psychological propaganda. The advertisers and politicians are brilliant in their use of words, pictures, and distortions to form and set in motion what they desire. The manipulation is subtle, but powerful. In this context fear is desirable as it is easy to use. I think fear is beneath much of the anger expressed in our society.
Well now that we are all terrified of loosing our jobs, of people unlike us, the swine flue, urban crime, identity theft, commies, the left, STD, drugs (except alcohol), socialized medicine, the Arabs, Afghanistan, running out of oil, domestic terrorism, etc. what are we to do. It is essential to overcome media promoted fear and anger and not involve ourselves with them. Unbridled fear and anger are not good for us individually or for Democracy here and abroad.
One of the things I have learned from my yoga and meditative practice is that when one wants to change a habit or replace a dysfunctional emotion, one should not fight with the undesired item, but develop the opposite. So what is the opposite of fear and anger . There are the timeless qualities of faith, courage, tolerance, acceptance, patience, a willingness to deal with our own issues, understanding of our projections, adaptability to change, and forgiveness of ourselves and others. Revenge promotes fear and anger. Acceptance and forgiveness cut fear and anger.
Once our society transcend the negative ideas that are being promoted, then it can begin to deal with the real issues that we face. The problems associated with war, poverty, the economy, the environment, and other social ills will not be solved until fear and anger are let go of.
But is there really anything to be afraid of. I believe there is far less to fear then we are led to believe. Indeed, the promotion of fear is not useful in our post modern society.. Fear is being used to manipulate and formulate public opinion. One thing that our current society excels in is the use of psychological propaganda. The advertisers and politicians are brilliant in their use of words, pictures, and distortions to form and set in motion what they desire. The manipulation is subtle, but powerful. In this context fear is desirable as it is easy to use. I think fear is beneath much of the anger expressed in our society.
Well now that we are all terrified of loosing our jobs, of people unlike us, the swine flue, urban crime, identity theft, commies, the left, STD, drugs (except alcohol), socialized medicine, the Arabs, Afghanistan, running out of oil, domestic terrorism, etc. what are we to do. It is essential to overcome media promoted fear and anger and not involve ourselves with them. Unbridled fear and anger are not good for us individually or for Democracy here and abroad.
One of the things I have learned from my yoga and meditative practice is that when one wants to change a habit or replace a dysfunctional emotion, one should not fight with the undesired item, but develop the opposite. So what is the opposite of fear and anger . There are the timeless qualities of faith, courage, tolerance, acceptance, patience, a willingness to deal with our own issues, understanding of our projections, adaptability to change, and forgiveness of ourselves and others. Revenge promotes fear and anger. Acceptance and forgiveness cut fear and anger.
Once our society transcend the negative ideas that are being promoted, then it can begin to deal with the real issues that we face. The problems associated with war, poverty, the economy, the environment, and other social ills will not be solved until fear and anger are let go of.
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