A Deep, Deep Sadness

[ellenrr]

"Whether one believes in climate change or not, or that humanity can indeed scale back greenhouse gas emissions and maintain stable, livable global temperatures, there still seems to be a prevailing undercurrent of sadness, hopelessness and even despair for many around the globe. Are we on the path to annihilate ourselves, or not?

"In the following essay-article, I explore the inner turmoil that seemingly affects so many of us and the conditions that preclude our idyllic fantasies that all is well."

http://guymcpherson.com/2015/01/a-deep-deep-sadness/

[Control-Z]

1. K&R

without reading beyond your OP. I already know and have had that feeling for far too long.

"the inner turmoil that seemingly affects so many of us and the conditions that preclude our idyllic fantasies that all is well."

Too depressing at the moment. I'm bookmaking, though, to read later, at a better time.

[ellenrr]

2. yes, i know what you mean...let me know your thots

when you read it, if you feel like it.

[Control-Z]

3. When I read it, I surely will. (nt)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. I'm not up to reading it right now, either.

It is so sad, I've felt it for so long..... And I comfort myself thinking that at least my contribution to the environmental destruction is small, since I have no family, no kids, did not create more of the source of the problem, i.e. more people with needs to fill.(this thought is a relief....sometimes. A little bit.)

What's more heartbreaking for me is seeing the relentless destruction of all that is wild, natural,beautiful. Habitat and the creatures that need it, steadily being killed off.
While we humans continue pumping out more humans, wanting more, destroying more, more sprawling development to accomodate the endless human need. We're trapped in ever-spreading settlements of destruction, separate and cut off from the ever-shrinking outposts of beauty and the sustenance of wild land.

[ellenrr]

7. me too Blanche, I share your sentiments, Such sadness it is hard to deal with. You

said it very well. I can't even find words to describe it.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. .....

[GliderGuider]

5. It's a truly great essay

As for those who may have experienced a more idyllic childhood, there are always the first realizations that all is not right and fair with the world. It may come in the form of errant whispers as friends or loved ones come to blows and tears behind closed doors. Or, it may be going to school and seeing others bullied, or being bullied one’s self for no apparent reasoning.

My idyllic childhood was punctuated in 1963 when I was 12, by pictures coming out of Birmingham, Alabama. But the sadness didn't strike home until 40 years later in 2003, when I began to have data-driven visions of global collapse. That became a deep, dark hole where the grief lived. I escaped from it through several years of inner work, but the psychological cost was enormous. I found equanimity though various forms of non-dualism, leading recently to a strong interest in Taoism.

The Masters try to be free from desire.
They don't collect precious things.
They don't cling to any beliefs.
They pay attention
to what everybody else ignores.
They help the world get right with Tao,
but don't try to change a thing.

YYMV.

[LouisvilleDem]

6. Is this the same Guy McPherson who said

"feedbacks are not additive, they are multiplicative"?

If so, he immediately gets disqualified from any serious discussion of climate change.

[GliderGuider]

9. No, this is by Reese Jones, a writer and videographer. nt

[Jonni890]

14. Same Guy

Yes, the same Guy McPherson who went to live in the desert (I guess he doesn't need water) in 2005 because he thought peak oil had hit. He predicted that by 2008 we would be feeling severe societal collapse, by 2013 we would have no cars on the road, by 2018 we will be in the stone age, and by 2030 we will be completely extinct. I agree with him that we're in deep trouble, but I don't take his science seriously nor his choice of cronies (e.g., Carolyn Baker, New Age peddler and member of a UFO/ET Facebook group).

[Duppers]

8. k&r

Bookmarking. Thanks for posting.

I live with this deep, crushing sadness each and every day, and wish I could get back to the Taoistic inner peace that GG describes above--it's insane that I let it go during a major relationship problem years ago. At least I know it's possible and I will strive to reach that peace once again.

Sometimes I almost envy the ignorant ...but not really.

[GliderGuider]

10. It's always possible.

I came to it after the age of 60, after a lifetime of suffering for one damned reason or another. When someone has experienced it previously, as you have, many of the usual barriers have already been dissolved.

Best wishes on your journey.

[Duppers]

11. Thank You!

[ellenrr]

13. Duppers, and GG:

I used to have a Kundalini Yoga practice.
Brought me such peace and self-love that I was better able to face the world with all its problems.
Have not been able to get back to it, in almost a year.
but I take comfort from yr comments.
Hope I do get back. It was like coming home.

[Duppers]

15. Thank You!