Dang! It's good to read a well thought out response. You even use "big" words, as my kids used to say. (Crap! You see even I do it when my guard is down... I judge, rate, and categorize too. And here I am the almost-got-my-shit-together person.)
Anyway...yes, indeed, we are still captives of the most ancient of all human motivations: survival. And the alphas and psychopaths among us have the urge to dominate not only other humans but nature in all its forms. It seems their goal and paradigm is to have all things be subject to their control. It seems to be a natural phenomenon of their exclusive culture.
I think ultimately, there is little hope of overcoming the elite, since the vast majority of humans are seemingly locked into their own paradigm of very limited observation, and a natural focus on their immediate survival and surroundings...as is normal and OK. So what then do we do to change things since we've come to understand that "power corrupts and it corrupts absolutely"? Perhaps there must come a revolution, a transformation of thought and perspective from within the culture of the elite. They must change by their own will. So how do we help bring that about? I don't know, but there certainly must be a way.
The only other thing I can see that will change things is some cataclysmic (oooh, that's a big word too) event that will destroy the delusional Empires of the elite. Perhaps nature or natures God will finally say, "Enough. Enough!" and shrug us off like ants on a picnic blanket. Or perhaps we will experience some cyclical event of nature that we have no control over such as an ice age, or extreme solar induced age of warming, or perhaps a major meteor strike or some similar event. We humans can hardly comprehend such a thing from our perspective as the chosen species in all of creation, but nevertheless, these events, and cyclical patterns do occur and will occur. Perhaps then, we'll be forced to be something other than the raving beasts we've been thus far. Oh my! Starting to sound Biblical here. but perhaps that is what is needed.
In the meantime we are exceptionally blessed to be able to participate in the creation of a new paradigm here on Steemit. Imagine the galaxies of possibility that we are part of! Blessings.
I think advanced (technological type) human civilizations have been wiped out several times by war and natural catastrophes....I have memories of riding dinosaurs...they had feathers and clucked like chickens....very loud bawk...bawk...hahaha
I haven't heard the word "Dang" forever, makes me homesick <3
I have my seeds, firearms, bugout bag, and good boots, I am good to go, and on the right side with what is "good"....... I am ready for volcanoes, meteorites, or psychopathic warmongers...
Of course good friends make this path meaningful <3
I know a few big words, I am a reader girl...hahahaha
Don't they say "Dang" in Oklahoma?
I took a peak at your blog and noticed you are a practicing Buddhist! Even committed to the life of a bodhisattva. i call myself a-fool-of-an-almost-Buddhist. Last year I came across Jack Kornfields book, "The Wise Heart" that really struck a chord within my heart. So I'm in the process of exploring in greater depth the "practices".
But you fascinate me. You refer to your prepping activities. Something I do to. I mean how can one look at the world and not think we are on the cusp of some mighty transitions. Oh, well... I ramble. Have to go write! Too much "commenting" today even though I'm delighted to have found like-minded folks.
Dang! (could not resist) Off to write I go! Blessings.
Buddhism taught me real compassion, loving kindness and wisdom, something I hadn’t known growing up. When my teacher told me I needed equanimity my first retreat I asked, “what’s that? 😂😂😂😂 I’m a redneck Buddhist, Wild as a March hare ....I can’t believe I actually was befriended by a Korean Zen Monk who taught me compassion by putting up with my crazy wild ways. I owe Sunim my life ....I start tearing up thinking about how he helped me save my life (long story’). I stay on the Path just because he believed in me❤️
Growing up in the foothills of the Oregon Cascades you have to be prepared...it’s not really anything special...it’s common sense, the world will never be a safe place.
I enjoy talking to you, you feel like family😉
Greetings Reddust. I live on the east side of the Sierra's in Carson City, NV. Just down the road from the Cascades. My path to Buddhism has been a very convoluted one. I can't say I'm a Buddhist (to independent still) but I sure love all the teachings and practices I've come to know so far. Would love to hear your story of Sunim one day. Me? I was raised a Mormon but bailed out after 30 years of very devout service. I don't regret the years being LDS (too much at least). Once I left them it was a rather strange path to where I am now. Oh, and assuming you still live in Oklahoma, my father was an okie and came to California during the Great Depression. If you ever read "The Grapes of Wrath", by Steinbeck that is exactly how my dad got out west.
Anyway, look forward to sharing and getting to know you. May you be blessed with equanimity (Ha! when I first came across the word I had to look up the definition. Still working on it's application in my life, but actually making progress.)