Every era faces different challenges, defined by the changing landscapes of society, technology, and geopolitical events, and we have not even begun to understand the current impact of social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on mental health and social cohesion.
It was telling that in the U.S. presidential debate, both candidates not only made a devastatingly poor impression but that one of the biggest challenges of our time such as the impact of social media and AI on every facet of our lives was not even mentioned.
The pervasive effect of social media on mental health
Studies have shown an alarming increase in suicide rates, especially among teenage girls in recent years coinciding with the widespread adoption of social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Girls are at greater risk of cyberbullying, facilitating bullying behavior that can be relentless and pervasive. Unrealistic beauty standards are perpetuated, leading to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem.
Among teenage boys, the dangers of addiction to online gaming and porn are leading to growing isolation and a breakdown in social skills.
AI is changing our world
We are just at the cusp of rapid technological changes triggered by AI with positive as well as negative effects. The technology is already proving to be most effective in medicine. At the Institute of Cancer Research, for example, researchers have developed a unique canSAR database that can combine patients’ clinical and genetic data with independent chemistry, biology, patient, and disease information. It i likely to revolutionize transportation with self-driving cars, buses, and drones.
But many jobs, especially those involving routine and repetitive tasks, are at risk of being automated. Sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and retail are particularly vulnerable to automation, potentially leading to significant job losses. The rapid pace of AI development requires workers to continuously update their skills, which can be challenging for many.
The rapid technological changes we are seeing inevitably lead to a growing gap between the cultural and mental capacities of societies to adapt to these changes and the legal frameworks to prevent the abuse of such technology. It creates fear and anxiety among those individuals who have particular difficulty in adapting to changes.
The use of AI and other new technologies have to be designed in ways that respect human rights, privacy, and autonomy, and do not dehumanize users. Human capabilities need to be augmented rather than replacing the human touch in critical areas like customer service, healthcare, and creative fields.
A holistic approach needs to be made recognizing and valuing the unique identity, experiences, and needs of each person rather than treating them as anonymous entities. Every individual has different emotional, psychological, and social needs.
With all our senses becoming over-stimulated by technology and threatening our mental and physical well-being it becomes all the more essential to reconnect with nature and our primal roots and senses.
Taking time out for a deep walk in nature is becoming a crucial pillar of survival in the digital world. Here are just some ways how we can rehumanize our senses:
Immersing in the green and blue spaces
Immersing yourself in the blue and green spaces of natural landscapes such as forests, mountains, oceans, and streams plays a major part in reducing freeze, flight and fight stress hormones such as cortisol. Auditory engagement with natural sounds such as the rustling of leaves, flowing water and birdsong contrast with the constant noise of an urban environment, providing a peaceful respite to help clear the mind.
Sensory Stimulation
The clean, fresh air of natural environments, free from pollutants and artificial smells, invigorates and refreshes your senses with the diverse scents from natural herbs, flowers and trees. They can positively evoke memories and emotions. Feeling and touching natural elements such as a tree, rock, sand or water provides direct physical connection with the natural world and the present moment.
Deep walking
Walking in nature is one of the most beneficial and underestimated ways of boosting your immune system, and preventing cardiovascular and metabolic disease. At the same time, exposure to sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D which is essential for bone health and overall mental well-being. Walking less than 5,000 steps per day is generally considered to be a sedentary lifestyle. Anything between 8,000 and 10,000 steps a day will significantly improve your health.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
After spending several weeks on my annual pilgrimage retreat along the Camino in northwestern Spain, I have had ample time to reflect on some pressing issues affecting our collective state of mind. I’m increasingly concerned about humanity’s tendency to retreat into tribal bubbles, becoming addicted to fixed concepts and thoughts.
Here is my theory on why the world is at real risk of tipping back into authoritarianism, intolerance, and the cult-like idealization of the “strongman” leader.
Social media thrives on toxic culture
We live in an age where any person in a dark cellar with a deranged mind can get millions of views by posting the most outlandish conspiracy theories, extremism, and anger. There are no real filters or control mechanisms in place to prevent the algorithms from blocking obviously false, distorted, and hateful information. And, there are no legal consequences for those responsible.
A preoccupation with fear, anxiety, and negativity will inevitably impact your mental and physical health. The eyes, brain, and spinal cord are intricately connected through the central nervous system (CNS), facilitating vision, sensory processing, and motor control.
The interconnection of body and mind
The eyes capture visual information and convert it into electrical signals. The optic nerve then transmits these signals to the brain which processes and interprets this information, coordinating with other sensory inputs and cognitive functions The spinal cord transmits these motor commands from the brain to the eyes and other body parts, integrating visual information to coordinate body movements.
Stress starts with negative thought
Stress hormones responsible for flight, fight, and freeze responses of the body are triggered by chronic negative thoughts. Constant worry, fear, and tension will inevitably negatively impact your daily functioning and decision-making. In extreme cases, it leads to depression, hopelessness, and loss of self-esteem.
People preoccupied with negative thoughts may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as overeating, smoking, substance abuse, or addiction to simplistic thoughts and concepts to numb their emotional pain.
Cognitive distortions, such as catastrophizing (expecting the worst), overgeneralization (viewing a single negative event as a never-ending pattern), and black-and-white thinking (seeing things as all good or all bad).
It is an open door for cult leaders, and extremist political movements offering simple solutions for complex global problems.
What is the antidote?
You have the power to make lifestyle choices, that determine whether you become a tool in the hands of manipulators or take back control over your own mental and physical health. Here are some tips:
What you feed your brain with that you become. Monitor your time spent on social media and the consumption of negative news.
Physical activity, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can help mitigate the effects of stress and improve your overall feeling of well-being.
How are you talking to yourself? Are your thoughts mainly negative or positive?
Mindfulness practices including meditation, deep walking, yoga, tai chi, qi gong reduce the impact of negative thinking and improve awareness. These exercises also impact your body posture and how you feel about yourself.
Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help identify negative thought patterns.
Choose your friends wisely. Don’t waste your time arguing with people addicted to fixed concepts and illusions. Positively-minded and supportive friends, family, and community make all the difference.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
Just having completed the Camino Aragonese pilgrimage route in northwestern Spain, I was deeply inspired by the diverse landscapes, rich vegetation, and the symphony of nature that emerges when human noise recedes.
Immersing oneself in nature reveals the interconnectedness of all living beings. Nature is an expression of the divine, with diversity as a fundamental principle of creation.
In times when external voices grow increasingly loud with hate-filled tribalism and ethnocentricity, the truth of the heart becomes paramount.
Monoculture is lifeless
Compare a lifeless monoculture with a meadow buzzing with the sound of birds, insects and the aroma of wild herbs and a multitude of flowers.
Thoughts and beliefs – religious, philosophical or political – have become so much part of tribalist identity that some people would rather die than admit that they have all along placed the ladder against the wrong wall.
Attachment to fanaticism in all shape and form hardens mind and body, and is one of the biggest obstacles to personal growth and elevation of consciousness.
One humanity or chaotic tribalism
Currently humanity is at the cusp of an elevation of consciousness of a one humanity or regressing into another chaotic age of divisive tribalism, nationalism, and intolerance.
There have been brief periods of enlightenment in the past when faith was more experiential in nature, with individuals gaining higher insight through contemplation, art and music.
Beautifully restored Romanesque cathedrals, especially in Jaca and Sanguesa, on the Aragonese route provided sanctuary in medieval times for quiet contemplation and inspiration from sculpture at a time when most people were illiterate.
Divinely inspired music and art
Later construction of the grand cathedrals such as Notre-Dame in Paris and Chartres, with their stunning stained glass windows inspired awe and devotion.
During the Renaissance era religious art with masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael communicated complex theological ideas through visual means.
Sacred music by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, and Beethoven created elaborate musical compositions elevating the liturgical experience and deepening the spiritual experience, connecting with the divine in profound sensory-rich ways.
When a religion degenerates into claiming the ultimate truth, subjugating its members into what to believe and how to behave, there is empty ritual and stagnation. The head-mind closes the door to the heart-mind and the whispers to the soul.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
Creating a vision board with images of a beautiful seaside home, luxury cars, and a substantial bank balance might seem like an easy path to a blissful life. However, for most people, this remains a distant dream, while they continue living in quiet misery and desperation.
Books on personal wealth and fulfillment like „Think and Grow Rich“ by Napolean Hill reached a cult-like status in the 1960s-1970s and were followed in recent times by bestsellers such as „The Secret“ by Rhonda Byrne.
Some people do in fact win the lottery, inherit a fortune, or become rich and famous overnight. Yet, many of these individuals end up losing their wealth or attempt to drown their profound unhappiness with substance abuse and escape into constant external distractions. Multiple studies reveal that lottery winners are twice as likely to file for bankruptcy than the general population.
If you haven‘t done the inner work by questioning your real motivation and are primarily focused on the HAVING rather than the BEING you will remain on a low unhappy vibrational level despite living a life of exceptional material abundance.
Visualizing and manifesting is only one part of the work. You will be severely disappointed if you don‘t follow through with a realistic plan of action and do the inner work on the vibrational frequency that you emanate.
How are you talking to yourself?
Are you at peace with yourself and your darker side? Can you accept and love yourself the way you are or is talking to the self dominated by feelings of regret, shame, or guilt?
Are your thoughts dominated by negativity?
Your first thought when you awake in the morning is your compass for the day. Can you transmute low-energy such as anger, sadness, and fear into kindness, positivity, and courage? Be authentic by accepting how you feel without blaming yourself and others. Do external circumstances out of your control dominate your thoughts?
Why do you want certain things?
Do you want that nice house, car, or kitchen to compete with the Joneses to boost your low self-esteem by wanting to impress the people you most dislike?
What happens if?
Ever thought about what happens when you actually achieve your goal? Super achievers often describe an empty feeling almost like a hangover. After winning the 1997 World Golf Championship in Spain, Australian golfer Greg Norman left his trophy in the locker room, saying the memories were more important than the trophy itself. Sometimes we need that challenge, that obstacle and that long road to elevate consciousness.
You need to be clear on whether your wish is embedded in an ego-mind or driven by an inner passion, and joy where you deeply feel a connection to inner purpose and ultimately divine will of service to a greater whole.
Your eyes will light up when you tell people about your dream. You will feel a surge of energy in your body, and your spirit is lifted.
If your path is cluttered with obstacles, disappointment, and setbacks it could mean two things: You either still have to learn something or you have mindlessly careened off on the wrong track, needing to press the reset button.
Be careful what you wish for
It could turn into a horrible nightmare if it is not aligned with your divine purpose to become who you really are. Fame and wealth doesn’t mean your life is without problems. You will still have to deal with health, personal grief, and external circumstances out of your control like all other people.
When you start building a high vibrational level you will automatically attract circumstances and people on the same frequency. You will develop greater situational awareness of what information, people, foods, and surroundings boost your energy levels.
When things start falling into place almost effortlessly you are on the right path. You can start enjoying the gifts bestowed to you by the universe in humble gratitude. The universe in essence has your back.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
In a life-threatening global crisis, individuals are compelled to either dig deep into their inner light or succumb to their darkest shadows. This is the central theme of my upcoming book, “Sages, Saints, and Sinners,” set against the harrowing backdrop of the Black Plague, which nearly decimated the entire population of Europe in the 14th century.
Here are two contrasting excerpts:
“Amidst the stark contrast of tragedy, mortality, and chaos, beauty revealed itself in heightened clarity and depth.
A keen awareness of life’s fleeting nature permeated his being, igniting an inner yearning to embrace existence with unwavering intensity.
He savored the earth’s pulsating rhythm beneath his feet, marveling at the majestic dance of birds of prey overhead, the delicate shimmer of sunlight on swaying blades of grass, and the harmonious symphony of nature’s myriad voices. The beauty of creation eluded possession, transcending mere ownership to encompass a profound perspective that infused every facet of existence.”
…”Nuns and monks offered simple herbal remedies and prayers, reading from the sacraments or taking confessions from the dying.
Simple pallets with straw served as beds with local volunteers supplying food and taking away the bodies of the dead in donkey carts to be buried in a cemetery nearby.
Isabel frequently conferred with Brother Thomas on researching the possible cause of the pestilence, refusing to believe that it was an act of God.
What better place to be than the monastery where some of Europe’s best theologians, astronomers, mathematicians, and doctors were at work.
“God has blessed us with intellect and a mind to ponder. Do we not ascend through every trial, gathering wisdom along the journey?” remarked Brother Thomas.
I’ve been working on this book project for the past two years and I’m now working on the final draft. The message I want to put out there with this novel is that even in dire situations of hopelessness, life is transitory.
It is in times of difficulty, in the pain, in the suffering that consciousness can either be elevated to its highest levels or succumb to the lowest vibrational levels of toxic emotions marked by procrastination, fear, and rage.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
During my childhood in South Africa, I started having my first doubts about religion when clergy defended from the pulpit the abhorrent policy of apartheid and prevented a devout black priest from attending a church ceremony.
The message of salvation failed to resonate in the obligatory Sunday services which I found to be extraordinarily melancholy and joyless occasions, steeped in empty ritual. It did however serve the purpose of sending me onto a path of intensive ongoing spiritual exploration.
If you are one of those people who left the church in frustration after being shamed for thinking differently or questioning doctrine, then welcome to the club.
For centuries religious institutions have stifled spiritual growth and prevented people from living their divine purpose by telling them how to behave, what to believe, and even what politicians to vote for. This, for me at least, is the ultimate sin for which the church needs to take responsibility.
Spiritual but not religious
Especially younger people in Western countries are seeing through the hypocrisy and leaving the church in droves. But does that mean that more people are becoming agnostic, atheist, or have lost their belief in the divine?
Seven out of ten Americans describe themselves as spiritual in some way including 22 percent who say they are spiritual but not religious.
Even the first Christian communities were often divided between legalistic interpretations of the Gospel and experiential spirituality. There is a lovely passage in Galatians 5 of the New Testament of the Bible where St. Paul criticizes an early church in today’s Turkey.
Paul underscores the centrality of the Gospel, calling on the faithful to practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as opposed to the legalism of what foods to eat and what could and could not be done on a Sabbath.
Jesus, the ultimate revolutionary
Some 2,000 years ago Jesus broke all religious conventions by healing the sick on the Sabbath. He was eventually crucified when openly exposing the hypocrisy of the clergy, by dining with sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, and other outcasts – who were excluded from the Temple.
Jesus never had plans to establish an institution or a church and would probably be horrified by what people are saying and practicing in his name today. When someone starts confronting me with the words: “Have you found the real Jesus?” it is for me a signal to run.
Temples, churches, and places of worship could be turned into sanctuaries of peace by opening their doors to people of all faiths. Many Christian churches however are stuck in tribalistic doctrine, especially when it comes to who is entitled to holy communion, abortion, or whether women can be ordained as priests.
Thriving churches, however, are vibrant meeting places for people joyfully dancing, singing, praying, and sharing meals together. In a positive sense, they can cement the community spirit, especially in urban environments where we have an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. These church members practice a living faith by visiting the aged, providing comfort to prison inmates, and refugees, and establishing food banks for the hungry.
Spiritual growth comes from a place of brokenness
There is a saying that religion is for those who fear hell while spirituality is for those who have been there. The seeds of spiritual growth come from a place of brokenness.
On my more than a dozen walks on the Camino in Spain I have met countless people who have gone through the hell of losing loved ones, confronted life-threatening illnesses, the dark holes of depression, financial ruin, and relationship breakdown. What I can say about all these people I’ve met on the Camino is that such life-changing events made them come out stronger, forcing them into deep introspection on the purpose and meaning of life.
A cosmic religion of the future
Experiential spirituality is a process whereby the shutters of the soul window are opened. It is a feeling of connection with the divine, and the mystery of creation. The great scientist Albert Einstein once said that the religion of the future will be cosmic in nature.
“The most beautiful and deepest experience a man can have is the sense of the mysterious. It is the underlying principle of religion as well as all serious endeavors in art and science. He who never had this experience seems to me, if not dead, then at least blind,” Einstein is quoted as saying.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, encourages individuals to go beyond the superficial differences among religions and recognize the deeper essence of spirituality and morality that can be found in all faith traditions.
The fundamental principles of compassion, love, and ethics are not limited to any particular religious tradition or belief system. These principles, the Dalai Lama believes, are universal.
Already early into this year, a record number of pilgrims are walking the Camino. All share the common quest that has resonated through the ages:
“From whence do I hail? Whither do I journey? What purpose guides my days ahead?”
In echoing the ancient Sages and Mystics, emphasizing the innate spirit of man: Where there is a lighthearted spirit of joy, peace, positivity, and kindness, negativity and darkness recede.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
In a recent conversation, someone asked about the essence of “living your authenticity,” the central theme of my podcast and YouTube channel. While it typically entails remaining faithful to one’s core values and identity, its scope is more intricate.
How can you discern when you’re not living authentically?
Embarking on the journey of fulfilling your destiny and purpose tends to engender a sense of natural alignment, accompanied by feelings of flow, joy, and passion. You will be operating on a higher vibrational frequency, naturally radiating an allure in your relationships and interactions.
Choosing happiness and masterminding your thoughts is a conscious choice.
In a conversation with the Pharisees, the Jewish clergymen of the time, Jesus admonishes them for seeking the kingdom of heaven in the external world, telling them: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
Living your authenticity is not a destination or procrastinating in some utopia.
The whole purpose of life is to keep on growing and elevating your consciousness. The activities that you pursue with a passion and where you stay in the flow will ultimately shape you into the person you are destined to be.
Living authentically does not mean you won’t have setbacks but how fast you can bounce back into the flow after the experience of loss, pain, or shame. It is the courage to stand up for what you believe in and to pursue your goals, even in the face of adversity especially if it gets difficult or you are unpopular.
You might lose friends, family members, and what you believed was your support network. But very often those people closest to you are those that pull you back to their low vibrational field because they can’t bear one of their “tribal members” pursuing their dream. It would, in their mind, expose them as weak and a failure.
Most unhappiness and much of the depression epidemic we are seeing is when there is addiction to a false identity that feeds on external validation.
Especially the passive consumption of mass media is designed to make you unhappy. Their whole purpose is to generate profit for someone else, and they can literally suck out your lifeblood if you allow their messaging to shape an identity that is far removed from authentic soul purpose. You become a mere consumer instead of a creative shaper of your destiny.
If you are addicted to a mindset that is fixated on external gratification and where you are dependent on flaunting your status and possessions you will fall into a spiral of unhappiness. For there will always be someone more successful, younger, more beautiful, more famous, and happier than you are.
It is the reason why lottery winners end up bankrupt or commit suicide. Or film or sports stars at the height of their success fall prey to substance abuse, as they desperately try to avoid an underlying emptiness.
Cultivating a sense of self-love, gratitude, and awareness is key.
Your body will at an early stage send warning signals if you need to change something, like feeling stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Your gut feeling will tell you that something needs to change. The high-value man or woman you meet might show all the right credentials for a good partnership but something inside tells you that he/she is just not the right fit or that something is wrong.
You might be doing something where you consistently have to compromise your core values, beliefs, and feelings. When external voices have led you astray on the wrong path you will consistently face obstacles, setbacks, and disappointment. When you are on the right path you feel instinctively that wind in the sails where the universe has your back, and everything falls into place like meeting the right people at the right time.
You might just be going through the motions without feeling any sense of passion or purpose. You feel like you’re wearing a mask and pretending to be someone you are not. You might want to drown that underlying growing feeling of unhappiness by accumulating more and more things with the novelty wearing off after only a few minutes.
Experiencing a profound “flat-on-the-ground” moment can often serve as the catalyst for seeking a deeper reconnection with the essence of existence. Authenticity and true meaning come into focus when you realize that your purpose is intertwined with the universal fabric of life and its inherent wholeness.
Following the estrangement from nature, humanity faces the formidable task of recognizing this avenue of reconnection through an experiential spirituality that transcends the confines of religious dogma, belief systems, and political or ideological barriers.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
“Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.” – Ojibwe Prayer
Acquired knowledge and intelligence are often confused with wisdom in our digital age where we have a world of information at our fingertips while the deeper understanding and insight into life’s mysteries appears to be on the wane.
The ancient Mystics, notably the 13th-century Dominican monk Meister Eckart, understood true wisdom as the intimate connection and surrender to the divine will.
Eckart’s idea was that of a “divine birth” within the soul, where a transformative experience leads to a profound shift in consciousness.
“In this divine birth, I find that God and I are the same: I am what I am and what I shall remain, now and forever. I am carried above was the highest angels. I neither increase nor decrease, for in this birth I have become the motionless cause of all that moves. I have won back what has always been mine. Here, in my own soul, the greatest of all miracles has taken place-God has returned to God!
The sages and Mystics were well aware of the limitations of intellectual thought and knowledge. The accumulation of information, facts, theories, and concepts on the cognitive level were deemed worthless if they were not connected to wise decision-making.
Intelligence, especially on the part of egocentric politicians, scientists, and business leaders, has in the past caused havoc to humanity and become even more topical in an age where spreading falsehoods and toxic emotions to millions on a global level has become the norm.
Millions of people are being spoonfed with external beliefs, concepts, and ideas that ultimately are far removed from authentic soul purpose, finding themselves digging deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of falsehoods and illusion.
Wisdom meanwhile encompasses a broader understanding of human nature, ethics, and the interconnectedness of the world by letting go of “ego” desires and attachments, especially of fixed beliefs and concepts that are closely intertwined with personality and ego.
The misunderstanding of Karma
Wisdom is an alignment with the cosmic laws and a greater whole that governs all existence. In this context the concept of karma or the law of attraction is often misunderstood as a predestined inevitability, yet with the growth of wisdom comes the growth of awareness.
It is inseparable from such values as compassion, empathy, and unconditional love. Mystic teachers emphasize the importance of cultivating these qualities as essential aspects of spiritual growth, enlightenment, and ultimately fulfilling life’s purpose.
Karma is the result of habits, actions, and choices made. We have been given the power of choice by the divine. If you extract yourself from the addiction of blaming external circumstances you become the creator and master of your destiny.
“Life is a meteor Let your eyes roam Heaven is beautiful It’s almost like home Children! get ready It’s time to come home”
(Paul Simon Track Seven on Seven Psalms)
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
Humans thrive on social connections, as evidenced by research from the American Medical Association (AMA), which underscores the profound impact that a healthy community has on both physical and mental well-being.
Loneliness and isolation have reached epidemic levels in most Western countries, emerging as significant public health issues. Highlighting the severity of this problem, a U.S. Surgeon General advisory equates social connection with fundamental necessities like food and water in terms of its importance for long-term survival.
“We all need our time away for rejuvenation and reflection,” says Dr. Frank Clark, an associate clinical professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville, “but social isolation is a form of solitude that is unhealthy and can occur due to multitude of reasons.”
Causes of social isolation could be the loss of friends or a partner due to death, divorce, or separation. An illness could make social connections difficult to maintain, but other factors such as a caregiver’s responsibility, a traumatic event, or life changes such as the loss of a job or retirement could all play a role.
Researchers who examined longevity in the Five Blue zones that included Sardinia, Italy; the Greek island of Ikaria; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica and Okinawa, Japan, found that social interconnectedness played a key role in a healthy lifestyle. It can literally add decades to your life.
Social connections slow cognitive decline
Keeping up social connections as people get older helps to maintain thinking skills and slow cognitive decline. “It’s not uncommon for our social networks to shrink as we get older,” says Marilyn Albert, chairwoman of the Global Council on Brain Health.
Maintaining social bonds and having a sense of purpose have been identified by researchers in the Blue Zones Project as a critical element for longevity.
Here are some common practices observed in Blue Zones that help strengthen social ties:
Strong family bonds: Families tend to stay close-knit across generations. Elders are respected and often live with or near their extended family members. Regular family gatherings and celebrations are common, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Active social lives: People in Blue Zones often engage in regular social activities with friends and neighbors. This can include communal meals, gatherings, festivals, and religious or cultural events.
Collaborative work and projects: Communities in Blue Zones often come together to work on shared projects or goals. Whether it’s farming cooperatives, community gardens, or other collaborative efforts.
Cultural traditions: Many Blue Zones have strong cultural traditions that emphasize social connections. This can include practices like storytelling, music, dance, and rituals that bring people together and reinforce community ties.
Support networks: Blue Zones tend to have strong support networks built on reciprocity and mutual assistance. People help each other in times of need, whether it’s through informal networks of friends and neighbors or more formal community organizations.
While rural settings often have characteristics conducive to strong community ties, the lifestyle factors observed in Blue Zone were not exclusively rural. The key lies in the cultural and social practices that promote longevity and well-being, regardless of whether they’re found in rural or urban environments.
Reconnecting with others after a period of social isolation can be challenging but is certainly possible. Start by reaching out to a close friend or family member for example with a simple text or phone call to catch up.
Consider joining groups, a religious community, or clubs that align with your interests or hobbies. This could be a book club, hiking group, cooking class, or volunteer organization.
Keep an eye out for local community events such as festivals, workshops, or meetups. These events offer opportunities to meet new people and engage with your community.
If you’re struggling with specific challenges such as mental health issues, addiction, or grief, consider attending support groups where you can connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
When interacting with others, practice active listening by showing genuine interest in what they have to say. Ask questions, offer support, and show empathy to deepen connections.
Cultivating a sincere interest in others not only enriches your relationships but also enhances your own appeal and magnetism. Developing and honing your social skills is essential for experiencing a fulfilling and rewarding life.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I recently had a great chat on the fitforjoy podcast with Valeria Koopman on Living a Beautiful Life. If you found this Blog an interesting read you might also enjoy my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” My previous titles, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago,” can also be ordered from all reputable bookstores near you.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Dietrich Boenhoeffer (German theologian killed by the Nazis)
A couple of days back, a startling headline lit up my screen: Russian dissident Alexei Navalny had been assassinated. The news shook me to my core, leaving me appalled at the apparent depths to which Russian leader Vladimir Putin would stoop, fully aware of the shockwaves it would send worldwide.
Navalny’s murder snuffed out a beacon of hope in the oppressive landscape of Putin’s Russia. When a leader turns to such brutal tactics, it reveals not strength but profound weakness. Navalny epitomized everything the autocrat in the Kremlin was not.
It is the nature of dictatorial regimes that they bring forth the best and the worst extremes in mankind. South Africa’s apartheid regime had shining examples of courage and humanity in Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, and many others. Nazi Germany had Dietrich Boenhoeffer and dissidents such as Sophie Scholl. Czechoslovakia had Vaclav Havel and Poland Lech Walesa.
Navalny’s assassination, probably directly ordered by Putin, is one of many in today’s Russia including opposition politicians, journalists, businessmen, and academics who dared speak out about the corruption, cruelty, and nepotism.
We discover who we are in confronting evil and at the same time the darkness and the light within. The external is a reflection of that which is within. Evil manifests itself where there is a complete absence of what is good and pure.
Failure to engage in self-reflection, transmuting one’s own shadows, and speaking out against evil renders one vulnerable to the influence of evil. This truth was starkly realized by figures such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Winston Churchill during World War II. Attempting to placate, appease, or negotiate with evil proves futile, as it perceives such actions as weaknesses, stemming from a consciousness devoid of moral values.
In Greek mythology, the evil Goddess Eris has the only purpose of sowing discord. She causes a conflict among the Goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite by throwing a golden apple among them with the words: “to the fairest”.
No other God wanted to be put on the receiving end of the wrath of the three Goddesses by choosing one of them as the fairest. The Goddesses then ask the mortal prince of Troy Paris to do it for them. Each tries to bribe him by pledging great gifts, and Paris then gives the apple to Aphrodite who had promised to make the most beautiful woman on earth fall in love with him.
The woman chosen was Helen, the queen of Sparta and wife to Menelaus. When Paris eloped off with her, Menelaus declared war on Troy, rallying all the Greek kings, and triggering the Trojan War.
Another Greek Goddess, Enyo, delighted in war and destruction, bloodshed, and the ransacking of cities.
The fallen angel and the lure of power
Christianity describes the devil, Satan, as a fallen angel and the very personification of evil. He was expelled from Heaven at the beginning of time after attempting to become equal to God.
The archetypal motif of the fallen angel or Lucifer is found in Summerian folklore, Roman mythology, Germanic tribes, and the Vedas.
In popular culture, we find Darth Vader, a fictional character in the Star Wars series. He is the dark father and the personification of evil in popular culture, serving the empire as its chief enforcer.
The windows to the soul
Eyes are said to be the windows to the soul with the bible quoting several passages in this vein. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,” (Matthew 6:22). “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:23).
I remember very well when my elderly German neighbor, who had experienced the horrors of World War II, remarked on Vladimir Putin’s ascension to power in 1999. “You can’t trust him. His eyes are cold like those of a wolf.”
U.S. President Joe Biden told Putin during a closed-door meeting in 2011: “I looked in your eyes and I don’t think you have a soul,’ and [he] looked back at me, he said, ‘We understand each other.'”
For all those millions of people in the West who blindly follow the Russian narrative of lies, deception and fake news, I highly recommend the book: “The Killer in the Kremlin”, an explosive account and exposure of Putin’s tyranny and sinister ambitions by award-winning journalist John Sweeney.
Often evil disguises its real intentions behind a smokescreen of lies, disinformation, and false flag operations. It is the playbook of such Lords of Evil as Adolf Hitler, Slobodan Milosevic, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong. In our lifetime we have to face the truth. We have another Lord of Evil in Vladimir Putin. Over decades he has not only duped western politicians but much of the rest of the world. Let’s connect the dots just to illustrate how much this Lord of Evil has sown destruction and discord.
Under Putin, Soviet-era repression has given way to a marriage between kleptocracy and organized crime, turning Russia into a “Mafia state”.. Organized crime has become an outgrowth of the political machine. Mafia cells have undertaken assassinations, facilitated coercion, and extortion. Outspoken Putin critics such as Garry Kasparov have all the while warned and revealed the true nature of the monster.
During a closed-door meeting in the year 2000, Putin is said to have offered the wealthiest Russian oligarchs a deal: Surrender to my authority, and you can keep your mansions, and multibillion-dollar corporations. Those oligarchs who reneged on this deal and undermined Putin were thrown into prison or died under mysterious circumstances. Putin’s wealth is a secret but it can be safely assumed that he has used the oligarchs as a major source of his hidden assets.
Turning Russia into a Mafia-type state has given Putin huge resources to weaken Western democracies. Putin has repeatedly voiced his disgust for the multi-culturalism, sexual diversity, and free speech which he sees as a direct threat to his authoritarian and 19th-century imperialist dreams. Over the years he has funneled huge resources to rightwing and extremist groups in western countries, spreading lies and disinformation on social media through Russian state-funded bots.
And then the Lord of Evil decides to invade Ukraine, the world’s breadbasket, triggering the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II and possibly the deaths of millions of people in Third World countries due to famine. Meanwhile, we have become almost emotionally immune to the daily bombardment of playgrounds, hospitals, and residential buildings in Ukraine as Putin wages a war against innocent civilians.
What does humanity have to learn from all this?
We need the enemy, and the opposite perspective to gain clarity on our own core values and choices. Often the question is asked: “If there is a God, why does he allow evil?”
But we have been given the power of choice. We cannot blame dysfunctional human actions on the Creator. God has often been seen as a strict father figure punishing his flock for sinful or bad behavior. The Mystics in contrast view God, the universal creator or the divine as “a state of Being” – the connection to pure love, kindness, and compassion. The manifestation of evil would therefore be the opposite condition – the state of complete absence of God.
Napoleon Hill once said that every evil carries within it the flames of self-destruction. It was a warning by the famous mentor to his students, political and business leaders to reflect carefully on their actions and goals. When they are not in sync with the universe and designed for the benefit of all, those flames will come back to burn you.
Sometimes those flames can come in the form of such deep disgust and regret with the “Self” that it manifests in self-destructive behavior such as addiction or serious illness.
The tragedy is that the character once held by the stranglehold of the shadow demons finds himself incapable of self-reflection.
Most suffering that we experience in our personal lives or that we witness in the external world is a result of bad human choices and actions carried out from a low level of spiritual disconnect.
The word “evil” is often used in a confusing context to blame, vilify or distract.
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.
As the Lord of Evil and his followers spin the narrative of hate, division, and destruction some comfort can be taken from the fact that evil ultimately destroys itself because it is out of sync with the laws of the universe. The thoughts, actions, and energy you send out inevitably come back to you.
In the same way, the path of light which is that of kindness, unconditional love, compassion, unity, tolerance, gratitude, and acceptance will bless you in a multitude of ways. You will be living a happy and blissful life if you make yourself an instrument of divine purpose.
Reino Gevers – Author – Mentor – Speaker
P.S. I’m excited to announce the release of my latest book, “The Turning of the Circle: Embracing Nature’s Wisdom for Purposeful Living.” If you enjoy it, you might also be interested in my previous works, “Deep Walking for Body, Mind and Soul” and “Walking on Edge: A Pilgrimage to Santiago.” You can find all of these titles at reputable bookstores near you.
ReinosBlog 