Create the Right World
John Marks Templeton

  
The way to mend the bad world is to create the right world.   -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me" are the opening words to a famous song.  But what do the words really mean?  How can being filled with peace inside one's self lead to peace on earth?  The brilliant philosopher Teilhard de Chardin refers to the "unimpeachable wholeness of the universe."  What does this mean to us?  It means that we are part of the universe; we are a part of the wholeness of creation.  We do not walk our path of life alone.  The whole universe walks with us, and we, as a human race, are coming to a greater realization that we are all "one" in spirit.

Maybe each one of us is somewhat like a pixel.  Just as a hologram is made up of numerous pixels--each one containing all of the information that can be found in the total image--so each person may be a tiny particle of life, containing all the data that is present in the sum total of existence.

Gautama Buddha, whose original name was Prince Siddhartha, grappled with the problems of human existence.  Though his words had not been written down, his disciples memorized many of his teachings and passed them to succeeding generations by word of mouth.

In the principal teachings of the Buddha called the "Four Noble Truths," it is stated first that human life is intrinsically unhappy; second, that the cause of the unhappiness is human selfishness and desire; third, that individual selfishness and desire can be brought to an end; and fourth, that the method of escape from selfishness involves what is called the "Eightfold Path":  right views, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation.  Certainly, this awareness of "rightness" and the letting go of personal negativities can do a tremendous amount to create a loving, caring, and more beautiful world.

A good way to create a better world is for each of us to be better individuals.  There are certain laws of life that, when followed, can make life sweeter, more harmonious, prosperous, healthy, and free.  When we choose to abide by these laws, we reap the benefits of living in harmony with the universe.  When we don't, we risk experiencing sickness, war, economic insecurity, and unemployment.  The problems that create turmoil, pain, misery, and suffering in our world can change when each person makes a conscious decision to act and think for the good of all.  Personal motive is always a good guide.  Ask yourself, "Why am I doing the things I do?" and allow the inherent wisdom of spirit to provide the true answer.  If your motives are pure, then good should come of them.  The positive ideas we believe in today can constantly expand and grow in our consciousness.  This could be termed as being "on beam" with life.  Pilots often fly using a radio beam as a guide.  As long as they remain "on beam," they are safe.  If they get off beam, they're in danger.

Each human person, too, has an inborn "beam"--a conscience.  While we are in tune with the way things were designed to be, we are "safe."  When we are out of tune, we may show it in the form of greed, fear, sickness, addiction, and jealousy.  Some people experience a lifetime of having the flu each winter, allergies in the fall, headaches, indigestion, and all the so-called minor ailments that we accept as part of life.  Sometimes it isn't necessary for this to be so.  Each of us has the inner power to encourage health, happiness and serenity.  We are capable of re-educating our bodies and our thinking.

By thinking and acting always with good in our hearts; by becoming responsible for ourselves, and, as an old Irish saying has it, "If you see a job that needs doing, that means it's yours to do," we can begin to change our wrong world into a right world.  It's time to stop saying that "they" need to be changing things around here.  When we start saying, "I need to be giving life a helping hand," we then begin to benefit life.  It has been said that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."  Let each one of us take that step and make it count!

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We usually look outside ourselves for heroes and teachers.  It has not
occurred to most people that they may already be the role model they seek.
The wholeness they are looking for may be trapped within themselves by
beliefs, attitudes, and self-doubt.  But our wholeness exists in us now.
Trapped though it may be, it can be called upon for guidance, direction,
and most fundamentally, comfort.  It can be remembered.
Eventually we may come to live by it.

Rachel Naomi Remen

   

  
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When we become expert at loving and caring for ourselves,
we feel healthy, centered, and strong.  We don't need to escape from
our reality through shopping, eating, drinking, drugging, or losing ourselves
in abusive relationships.  We feel warm and safe within ourselves.
We learn to value everything about ourselves--our bodies and
minds, our feelings and needs, our potential, strengths and weaknesses--
throughout all the seasons of our lives.  We feel free to acknowledge
the truth of who we are, realizing that God didn't send us here perfect,
but to work toward perfection.  When we trust fully, accepting ourselves
not as we wish to be but as we are, we develop a sense of wholeness
that brings us joy.  We stop hiding and worrying about whether anyone
else sees our flaws.  We aren't defensive or judgmental.  We know
who we are, we know where we stand, and we accept that
we--like everyone else in the world--have some growing to do.

Susan L. Taylor

 

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Yes, life can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's actually rather dependable and reliable.  Some principles apply to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning.  I use it a lot when I teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives.  What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or generous, compassionate or arrogant?  In this book, I've done my best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life, writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard.  Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too!
Universal Principles of Living Life Fully.  Awareness of these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration out of the lives we lead.