Tag Archives: mindset

Are we really having such a bad time?

We are on the edge of a nuclear war. The stock market is heading for its biggest-ever crash. By the end of the century, the planet will become uninhabitable. If you believe this doomsday messaging from mass media you might think we are living in apocalyptic times. But are times really so bad?

If you go back only two centuries humanity was in a completely different place. Our ancestors in their wildest dreams could never have imagined that you could fly from one end of the world to another in an airplane. Even a simple thing like turning on a tap to get fresh water was out of reach for most people.

Clean clothes, refrigerated food, and a comfortable bed to sleep on were unheard of for most people. Even the most wealthy nobility did not have the luxuries enjoyed by the middle-class today.

Humanity has never had it so good.

Undeniably the recent events such as the catastrophic war in Ukraine and environmental disasters in several parts of the world are a wake-up call that we have still much to learn. But from a historical perspective humanity has never had it so good.

Until 1900 human knowledge doubled about every century. Today human knowledge is doubling almost every day, thanks to the technology of the digital era. It is having a phenomenal effect on the development of new technologies in almost every sector of life such as health, education, and business.

With such a rapid advance in innovation, we will be in a good position to solve some of the most pressing problems confronting mankind such as climate change.

Photo by Mabel Amber on Pexels.com

As humanity evolves to a higher consciousness we will be seeing the pendulum sometimes sway in the opposite direction, creating the impression that humanity is moving backward. Pundits are arguing that we have learned nothing from the fanaticism and extremism in the 1920s that led to the growth of fascism and World War II and are heading for another dark age in history. And of course, it is necessary to be wary and alert. Nothing is a given.

Part of the raised consciousness is the empowerment of the citizen beyond the vote once every four or five years for a government that inevitably backtracks on its promises. But centralized governments have long ceased to be the major agent of change. The world is influenced by countless other factors.

The science of a changing world

An Oxford University researcher Max Roser has collected a wealth of data on our changing world, proving with hard facts that our world is in fact getting to be a better place.  Since 1900 the global average life expectancy has more than doubled and is now approaching 70 years. No country in the world today has a lower life expectancy than the countries with the highest life expectancy in 1800.

But in our focus and emphasis on the negative, we ourselves become negative and this paradoxically results in less positive change.

Your life and your happiness are defined by what perspective you take on the world. And, your perception does not necessarily conform to reality. Move your position and ask yourself:

  • Is this really true?
  • What is my imagination and what is reality?

When the demons of fear and anxiety are triggered your body is flooded by stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. You go into the tunnel vision of fight or flight mode. Breathe, take a step back and relax.

When you emotionally shift into the higher vibration of trust, compassion, empathy, and love you are in a much better position to guard against that which distracts and pulls you from the center of your creativity and life purpose.

In spiritual literature, we find numerous encouraging verses to trust in the flow of things. In Jeremiah 17, 7-8 of the Bible we find the words:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

The Buddha said: “Everything happens for a reason. Don’t question it, trust it.”

In the Bhagavad Gita, we find the words: “Meet this impermanent world with neither attachment nor fear. Trust the unfolding of life and you will attain true serenity.”

Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker

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Opening the window to soul connection

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”

– Confucius

A spider will seldom build its web between two hard objects, rather choosing flexible places such as blades of grass or corn so that when a strong wind comes it will not tear the masterpiece asunder. It will go with the flow, bending and finding balance with the forces of nature.

In the same way body and mind need to find connection with the internal rhythm that is soul purpose and meaning. Sadly, what we are currently seeing in the collective mindset is very much the hardening of attitudes and beliefs.

The fixed mindset and fear

A fixed mindset and fanaticism of all persuasion come from a place of darkness, fear and uncontrolled toxic emotion. The fear is rooted in fear of change that results in the desperate clinging and hardening of position to an illusory place of safety. The dancing monkeys in the head are preoccupied with thousands of thoughts a day revolving around the fear of loss and fulfilling basic external needs.

As we face the challenges of an ever more dynamic world with massive economic, social, institutional, and psychological change, resistance to the disruption of the status quo is increasing.

But this is also a time of great opportunity. There is elevation of consciousness if the fear can be transmuted into courage, and opportunity can be seen in creating a new earth.

In the words of Suzy Kassem: “Sometimes we have to soak ourselves in the tears and fears of the past to water our future gardens.”

Living a life in the Having or BEING

The ego mindset is preoccupied with having and chasing after someplace in the distant future when life can start happening, and a life of happiness can finally be lived. The heart mindset is about living to BE. In BEING fully in the present moment connection to soul purpose and meaning can be found. Our beliefs and values provide the roadmap of the path we choose to walk.

Discontent, resentment, and anger reveal that values and beliefs are misplaced and that they need to be reconfigured and realigned. The higher senses are muted. The general energy frequency of mind and body is lowered and fail to perceive the whispers from the universe. Hardened attitudes and beliefs separate from true being and soul connection.

There is a wonderful phrase from Jesus in the original Aramaic version of the Beatitude: “Tubwehun I’ makiche d’hinon nertun arha.” This roughly translates to: “Renewal to those in emotional turmoil and blessed are those who can soften that which has hardened in their bodies.”

Moving forward from a place of unhappiness can be the biggest change motivator. Remaining flexible and bowing with the wind to find that equilibrium is what nature teaches us. Our destiny is ultimately elevation of consciousness and growth. It’s opening the window to the soul and allowing the light of beauty, harmony and love to enter the room.

Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker

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The monkey in a cage

“Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be obtained only by someone who is detached. ”
― Simone Weil

Much of what I’m seeing and hearing in the public discourse reminds me of how trappers in the wild catch a monkey. All it takes is a small cage with a bunch of bananas inside. The monkey will grab the tasty treat through a hole in the cage. But when trying to pull out the banana the hole is too small. The monkey will refuse to let go of the banana. Even with a real threat, the hunter, coming closer the monkey will still refuse to let go and is captured.

It is much the same with fixated beliefs, ideologies, and political persuasions. I read the other day a report of Covid patients still refusing to believe they had been infected with the virus while dying in a hospital intensive care unit. Everybody is entitled to an opinion. But if you are unable to adapt, change or review your opinion in the light of new evidence or facts you are also refusing to grow and elevate your consciousness.

So many minds, it appears are captured by the drumbeat of information silos where we are seeing debate marked by an extremely negative and divisive narrative. During these times it has become more important than ever to remain aligned with that inner spark of peace and beauty.

How we speak and what we speak about is a reflection of our thoughts. The actions we take are a reflection of how connected we are to the heart mind and soul nature. Evil thoughts and evil actions inevitably lead to evil fortune.

The wisdom of the ancient Mystics can be a good guideline. Basic human nature has not changed much over the centuries. There will always be a segment of people who don’t give any regard to the outcome of their actions. Meister Eckhart, the great Dominican friar of the early fourteenth century, warned against those whose “sole concern is how to gain honors, wealth and pleasure.”

These people, according to Eckart, are those who lack all sense of humility by “running in front of God.” Inevitably their lives will be haunted by what they call bad luck or a bad hand. They will be blaming God, fate, people different from themselves, and basically everyone for what has gone wrong in their lives. They are filled with hate, resentment, and anger. They are the malignant narcissists of our age who seek only personal validation and glory. They will never change their opinion and are captured by attachment.

Letting go of attachments

Attachment can be defined as a strong emotional bond to a person, thing, or cause. In extreme cases, it can be closely intertwined with personal perception and identity.

According to Eckart, there are those “imperfect” people who “walk close by God”, wishing to lead God rather than be led by him. They would like God’s will to be their will. We are seeing much of this behavior in religious and political fundamentalism. They are idealists at heart believing that the world would be an entirely different place if a certain ideology. belief or behavior is adhered to.

The “perfect” ones bow to humility in following God on a path that can also be one of hardship and suffering but ultimately leads to a life of bliss and happiness, according to Eckardt. It is what the Buddhists call living a life liberated from all forms of attachment.

It can also be understood as finding the connection to the inner spark of truth. Joy is found in the truth which all desire that is the pursuit of God’s will, according to Eckart. The Mystic describes walking the path of truth and pursuing the will of God as “an ardent desire” where we are “illuminated and captivated by the depth of our being.” Walking behind is described as “sinking into the essences” of all things.

Surrendering to a higher will instead of trying to impose your will is key to effective visualization practice. If desire becomes attachment you will be held captive to procrastination and be closing the door to the flow of the Tao or the universal energy. This is at the root of much of the unhappiness we are seeing around us. Attachment prevents the view from a different perspective where often the solution lies. You have to let go of everything “to win everything.”

Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker

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