How many of us are truly capable of change? I see all of us addressing this concern, that issue, pondering, posting sagely advice, asking profound questions, and to what end?
Are we really open to a change in world view? Does anyone find a profound difference in their spirituality, their religious or non-religious views? Have we changed the ways in which we act upon the world?
There are many rapidly changing events in the world today, some benevolent, but many malignant. Are we capable of adapting, changing to meet those challenges we all face, or are we simply too comfortable to openly change ourselves?
Has the recliner or the keyboard become the symbol of our understanding and acting upon the world?
We’ve talked about religion based terroism and the need to personally repudiate violence, but does this translate to any meaningful action on our part? When do the words and lofty concepts manifest themselves, or are we a part of that ‘indolent mass’ that moves at a glacial pace?
I would conclude that those that are inclined toward physically acting in the world will indeed do so and those that are incline toward not acting in the world will not.
The ideas of understanding and temperate behavior have to do with restraining oneself usually in regard to another. The violent will always produce an effect that is more identifiable than those that produce an effect through the force of their spoken or unspoken attitude.
Sitting and waiting with a good attitude, for change, is not enough. Unless you are homeless, and even then it’s not a good strategy.
very few. most of us are uncomfortable with change. we like order and reason. randomness scares many.
Even many find order in their disorder and chaos and they are comfortable with that.
the end is what we seek. the means is the real question. how do we achieve world peace? how do we achieve a more inclusive feeling of humanity? how do we achieve more love in the world?
it’s the means that’s important and it’s how we justify the means that is important.
again most people have the “inertia” you’re talking about. and I think your statement here:
(disclaimer: some people may find the following statement upsetting)
covers it brilliantly. It’s important to do more than sit on the recliner or computer desk and type away ideas. action is louder than words.
but at the same time we have to be realistic, we’re up against a slow moving glacier. we’re up against sheep. If we stand up against it alone or ill prepared for the reactions we’ll get to tell them they should try changing even in the SMALLEST of ways we’ll get crushed.
and as uccisore said, it’s not only the religious (moderates and fundamentalists) that need to change, it’s the agnostic and the atheist the deist, all of us have to try to change.
You ask if we are capable of change but we are changing all the time. The motivation for change will largely determine the change. Consider your own motivations for change and how you’ve changed and it will be similar to a great many.
We are always adapting to these changes. Consider Ecclesiastes 3:
We are comfortable with and change in response to these changing cycles.
All the words have been written and spoken many times before and will continue on and on as a part of that “indolent mass” that moves at a snails pace. It is nature’s way. Since we are what we are, life will continue as it is. Water seeks its own level. You may throw a large rock into a small pond and make waves temporarily changing the water level but soon it returns to its normal level. It is the same with collective mankind. Its being will attract its life which manifests as a continuum within natural cycles.