Interconnected - Quareness Series 196th "Lecture".

Much of our "expert" analyses and explanations for observable phenomena and approaches to crises today seems to stem mostly from intellectual calculation and rationalisation often driven by biased data and rather questionable motives...like marching to a "progressive" drumbeat sans ethics. Could it be that in nearly every instance where technology claims dominance over basic human instinctual observation, a lessening of our primal connection to each other and our environs is unavoidable? And the consequent conflict and degradation and divisiveness may be an overt manifestation of our perceiving the world around us in divisible elements. As the "no longer with us" Austrian zoologist/ethologist/ornithologist Konrad Lorenz put it..."All the advantages that man has gained from his ever-deepening understanding of the natural world that surrounds him, his technological, chemical and medical progress, all of which should seem to alleviate human suffering - tends instead to favor humanity's destruction."

It would seem obvious that when a culture is aware of the importance of interconnectedness and interdependence, there is instinctive support for human needs, and yet in our era this deduction is often deemed simplistic and obsolete. Exclusively analysing the world in physical and technical terms (in spite of whatever useful value doing so might entail) surely exemplifies how science on its own doesn't deepen understanding of our place in the universe. Indeed it's quite likely that being convinced of microscopic analysis holding benefits for the human condition, we may lose sight of those important inspirations that emerge from an understanding of wholeness itself.

Science has only lately been discovering that the central precept of eliminating all bias of the observer turns out to be impossible. The beholder and that beheld/observed not only influence each other but seem to be inseparable. And perhaps this understanding of reality as indivisible is in effect confirmation that our universe is not quantifiable within our current restrictive parameters. "Through experiments over the past few decades physicists have discovered matter to be completely mutable into other particles or energy and vice-versa and on a subatomic level, matter does not exist with certainty in definite places, but rather shows 'tendencies' to exist. Quantum physics is beginning to realize that the Universe appears to be a dynamic web of interconnected and inseparable energy patterns. If the universe is indeed composed of such a web, there is logically no such thing as a part. This implies we are not separated parts of a whole but rather we are the Whole." - per the late American astrophysicist and healer Barbara Brennan.

It has grown more obvious now that those entrenched in the prevailing materialistic paradigm harbour a strong tendency to marginalise anyone who doubts their worldview. We could say that modern political competition and conflicts between nations and power blocs are somewhat desperate means to reinforce the long standing illusion that stable/static boundaries are necessary. On the contrary such "limits" may only serve to keep humanity from its actual wholeness and greater potential? In any event it would seem that any unstoppable tide of deeper knowledge can readily be perceived as an existential threat to the status quo of those who currently hold power and wealth. To dramatically change the course of human events might require a changed worldview grounded in our daily activities where humble appreciation of the miraculous nature of our universe is a more viable demeanour than fearful defensiveness about nearly everything. In the absence of such a fundamental change of mindset it looks like the powerful today will continue to defy the immutable singularity of the universe and ignore their failure in seeking to solve the "intractable" problems humanity continues to face. And the more their inadequacies are revealed, the more their desperation increases. "What we call Man's power over Nature turns out to be a power exercised by some men over other men with Nature as its instrument." - C.S. Lewis (late British author).

It also seems obvious that an isolated outlook and lack of connectivity to others can provide only minimal resources for approaching challenges creatively. The dynamics of supportive interconnected communities may be foundational elements for harmonious human existence. Leaving the relative safety of the womb for an environment of vulnerability evokes concerns about the fragile nature of our existence, and yet emerging into a world that has obscured the forces that would normally calm and sustain us is even more daunting. Because each of us has unique personal problems that seem to have no solutions, our tolerance of unnecessary suffering and violent behaviour can often be the result of that frustration we may feel for being powerless in affecting our fate. We may feign ignorance or repress the sense that we are disconnected from primal forces...a denial and eclipse of our spiritual selves likely accounting for much of the social and political behaviour we are witnessing today. Perhaps only a supportive worldview based on a nurturing paradigm of the miraculous integration of all things can provide a lasting balance to any sense of loss or disconnect upon birth?

Although life here for us will always have its unexplainable difficulties, it's how we observe suffering that probably determines our response and the availability and application of viable solutions. And maybe it's only by recognising we are an inseparable part of a supportive human tribe that we can effectively respond to crises and suffering. Indeed knowingly feeling/living our miraculous interconnection with others and the natural world around us may be imperative for any seeking to awake from the pervasive influence of materialism.

The widespread blindness of our current technological and political world to the miraculous nature of everything as well as a rather exclusive dependence on the tangible, seems to leave quite a void in critical realms. A materialistic outlook leaves little room for the truly most influential force on the planet...real love containing an overriding sense of unity with others...and maybe a simple appreciation of the pervasive power of such love is a requisite element for any real change. Nourishing a resurgence of our higher selves could depend on our cultivating appropriate responses to the challenges we face.

Compassion, kindness and understanding can endure in those who truly seek a harmonious world. And as humanity comes more and more to recognise the miracle of existence and our inseparable bonds, we will increase our chances of awakening to a creatively promising outlook for the future. In this we may hope.

Sean.

Dean of Quareness.

November, 2023.

"The specialist knows more and more about less and less and finally knows everything about nothing." - Konrad Lorenz.