What happened to "Corporate Conscience?" Its gone the way of the Dodo Bird…..extinct before we really knew it existed. As weird as the "bird" was, at least we know it was real at some point, eh?
Regardless of what we think of the benefits or detractions of big business, we all must agree that the true business of life isn't really business per se. Now, many folks still caught in the recent cyclone of rampant greed…or aspiring to it…..won't agree; because they don't see it as being in the 'best interest' of their 'life'. But lets not try to tune that fish…..lets focus on one thing: businesses, Govts, cultures, social organizations, religions, etc. all exist for one purpose: To improve human life. Hopefully, we can also learn to see our way into protecting life that can't protect itself too; but again, that's another topic for another day.
So, given the reasonable premise that institutions, laws, and artificial entities that only exist because we believe in their existence, are here for our benefit; then its not too far a field to say: We should manage them, not they mange us.
If we allow constructs of humans, no matter how good they were intended to be at the time of their creation by other humans, to dictate human life; then we have abdicated our lives to lifeless machines.
Social order is good, necessary to 'train' those 'growing up' to an awareness of real life (hint: those under the age of 60 years old;-), and is meant to keep bad elements "in check" so that "anti-life"(aka Destructive forces) doesn't kill off life.
If we step back, and examine what has happened to our lives and the environment in the past 100 years; we can safely say that it hasn't really been life affirming. Yes, we have great medical discoveries, and very positive people who have done wonderful things; but all summed up, we end up with a net loss in the "income statement" of life. Now who is responsible for that? Bad companies, bad governments, incompetence, evil? Yes, and no. Mostly, it's been a complacency of humans to allow themselves to be ruled by "anti-life" forces. Now what smart person would knowingly do this? Not many. Nor are people inherently evil or greedy. Everyone just wants "a better life," "happiness," and "to beloved." Unfortunately, we have forgotten how to do that.
Once removed from the daily 'exercise' of hunting and growing our food, we as a race began to lose touch with the real interplay of life and death. Everything has become disconnected, disassociated, and confusing…..and only a generation ortwo of coming off the farms, eh? While we aspire to greater things, our collective 'conscience' has disintegrated. To the point where, people just want to medicate themselves with drugs, alcohol, excessive things, excessive sex, extreme audio/visual/sports experiences, or unproductive drama. Used to be, it was only anaffliction of the neavou riche. By suddenly having much more than they need, the newly rich (as opposed to those who grew up with the privilege & corresponding responsibility that comes with the 'freedom' from daily worries of survival) flounder in their newly found wealth…..like children living in a candy store.
This 'affliction' has stuck America very hard. A victim of our own success, we have had the 'power' to fly way past our "Peter Principle" limits….and, unfortunately, we have. Who has "gained" from this bad development? Those whose cultures and experiences out-date ours by thousands of years. Those who knew how to dangle that carrot for the masses. Those who now are tightening their grip on people's lives…..through economic servitude.
How to "beat the system?" You might ask. Don't participate. Stop supporting those who don't support life-affirming actions. Get humans back on track towardsgrowing and nurturing things, people, and other life forms. Sound all "Polly-Anna?" Maybe, because we have been misled so long that cynicism is all that grows in the poisoned soil of our thought processes. The Tibetan Buddhists, led by the Dalai Lama, have developed incredible ways for us to examine our thoughts and actions; objectively, so that we can manage our lives in more accordance with our words. For nearly 700 years they lived in anisolated, and some say inhospitable, place where the environment removed all distractions so they could learn about the human mind….and its propensity to out-think its reality. They have developed many daily practices (i.e. types of meditation, exercises of compassion humility, etc. to keep themselves in check;and on a productive path towards self awareness that countenances no denial) It's a 'philosophy' that keeps us from ignoring reality. Because they know, especially in that physical environment, to ignore reality is quick death. We don't see that, do we?
What is death to the Western mind? Many people don't even go to funerals anymore….because they are "uncomfortable." What is all that red stuff in the refrigerators of grocery stores? Chunks of animal flesh. Oh well, its "uncomfortable," to consider; so we pretend it's the same as any other food commodity…..it had no sentience, like plants, eh? Well, to those of us that face facts, humans are carnivores. We can choose to be vegan, and that's good…..but its not easy, nor cheap. Nor is it easy or cheap to eat healthy foods. Ever wonder why that is so, when we produce the grains for the world? Not so smart, an objective person might say.
So why is it soooo hard to be objective? Because it isn't fun. It requires work; and while we all work pretty hard in our lives…..its really quite silly what we do, eh? How does stressing ourselves due to huge debt obligations make those cars and "McMansions" fun? While trying to avoid, to deflect the pain of, work; we consign ourselves to a 'debtor's prison' of sorts. But we are entitled to live better, easier, and more fun lives, right? So, we do whatever we have to in order to "get there." Again, while submerged in it (as are all our friends and relatives) it seems 'normal,' and just what everybody does. But when we step back, and ask ourselves: "why am I doing this?" it makes little sense, yes?
Most people won't even read this….or stop reading when it gets too uncomfortable. Fearing that self-examination that will mean changes. Changes are scary. Scary, because it means entering the unknown. Well, that fear isn't so bad anymore. Why? Because our economic engine for "life" has hit a brick wall. Now, we are forced to evaluate between multiple bad choices. Wouldn't it have been easier just to make healthy choices to begin with?
We, yes, it would have been. But when you have 'drug' pushers painting a life without pain or worry (UN-REALITY, in any world btw); its easier to take the path of least resistance. But that path goes down a hole of self-destruction, right?
All of this article is to communicate one thing: we don't need to support organizations or people who propagate unhealthy things. Yes, we can buy heavy syrup water because it tastes good and because a company sells it to us as a good thing in their multi-billion dollar marketing campaigns. But when Coke Corporation invests in bottling operations in Tibet to make more money, we suddenly don't really enjoy the taste of that drink, yes? We see the bad cigarette company who sells us cancer sticks; but do we see the consumer products companies who play on our trust to sell us unnecessary over the counter drugs & "food" that isn't even close to nutritional?
Who has the better propaganda? Communist China, or our marketing machines? We do, hands down. At least in China the average Chinese person knows they are being lied to….so there is an entire 'layer' of culture that exists in a state of double-speak. We have it too; we call it 'being clever,' and 'knowing more' than the people we'd like to 'utilize;' to get richer ourselves.
"I've seen the enemy, and he is us," a very wise man said…..
Time to wake up, folks. And start throwing out all the double-speak tripe that our hippies tried to address in the 60's…before they were "bought out" themselves.
Tibetan Buddhists have critical knowledge for the survival of the human species…and therefore, the survival of all life forms on this planet. And we are about to allow the Chinese Govt (who is threatened, for good reason, by this "ideology" that isn't susceptible to manipulations and the 'de-volution' to life killing practices)to destroy our one last chance to heal and recover…however hard and long that process may seem.
And we will let them, because we turn a blind eye to Steven Job's sell out to Chinese production of his ipods, and computers. Because Coke wants to 'own' the drinking 'rights' to syrup water to another billion people. In years past, we kept American corporations out of investment in Tibet…..through embarrassing corporations into withdrawing. They aren't embarrassed anymore, they (we) are proud of it. What does that say for how far we've strayed from life affirming practices? What is at the end of this road? Any halfway intelligent person canfigure that out, if they want to. In my book I quote Upton Sinclair "It's difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it."
Bottom line? This week we had Buddhist monks appealing to what they consider a benevolent corporation this past weekend by singing chants and passionate requests at The World of Coke-a-Cola in Atlanta, and Coke Corp world headquarters. They, of course, were ignored; and then, they marched through Centennial Olympic park to Coke. CNN cops shoved them aside, "don't block the sidewalk" the mall cops said, as they looked at their watches; anticipating a late lunch.
Why Did CNN ignore the Tibetans? Why did Coke? They were nice, and sounded really harmonic in their singing. Because they bring up an uncomfortable truth……Americans like to say one thing, and do another…..to gain more wealth & advancement. Now, where has that gotten us? Hmmm, unnecessary wars, worldwide depression due to our excesses, and those who blindly followed our "pied piper"ways.
Time to wake up folks.
Time to stop buying…..anything. Anything we don't absolutely need to survive. It will save you money, stress in trying to figure out how to pay the credit cards, and stop all the anti-life B.S. Why? Because then, and only then, will people and organizations be forced to face the real questions:
"How should we live life?"
"What is our real purpose here on this earth?"
"What can I do to 'grow' something/someone to a better 'state?'
Why do you think Steven Spielberg withdrew from producing the opening ceremonies of the Olympics? Not because the situation in Tibet is a lot like the plot of a movie he won an academy award for (hint: "Schindler's List"), because he is all about the money, and finally Hollywood folks convinced him that doing the Olympics would hurt him financially and would bring up the very uncomfortable question I just did. "When are you going to 'walk the talk,' Steven?'"
Well, the time for embarrassment is over. The problems we have festered are now systemic…..threatening to destroy an entire generation of American young men and women. It is time for action. The action?
1) First start with Coke…..Boycott all Coke products UNTIL TIBETIS FREE. Let them twist theChinese Govt's arm, or not.
2) STOP BUYING Ipods &APPLE PRODUCTS UNITL TIBET IS FREE. Steve Jobs can't do much, because he has already been bought out……but, reflecting on his mistake of giving way evenmore American technology to the Chinese manufacturing machine
3) Send "shame on you" email to Steven Spielberg & company
4) BOYCOTT ALL PRODUCTS "made in China" UNITL TIBET is FREE
What do you get from all of this? I'm not so naïve that I still believe that "do the right thing" works on jaded and misguided people; so here it is: Your grandchildren get to live. War with China will become inevitable, as people realize that the economic war is already in full swing (i.e. Currencydevaluation, like we did to Brazil and Australia, Karma can suck, eh :-), and that the Chinese have no intention of stopping their physical expansion. This war, if allowed to happen, will end the world. Guaranteed.
Almost 2billion people! How does that compare to a couple hundred million fat, dumb, and lazy Americans resting ontheir laurels? With $20Billion a MONTH trade deficits with China, for ten years, we have funded everything. You do the math. Ever hear of the Opium wars? Well, they lived them…and have just turned the tables on the West. Getting us addicted to cheap material things. So, when people realize that we gave away our country for a generation of cheap trinkets and the 'promise' of wealth; what will they do? Add that insult to the very real injury of having their retirements stolen by other greedy people…using Wall Street as a conduit for their 'transfer of wealth"
Time to wake up folks……time to take action. Start doing nothing, right now!
That's it, just strike. Stop buying; and stop 'buying' the propaganda that perceptions make reality.Reality is reality, and we had betterface up to that soon. The longer we wait, the harder/longer the 'recovery.' I used to get so upset with the cabal behind Bush; but I finally realized they did us all a favor; and could, quite possibly, helped by speeding the crash that people needed to realize what is at stake. Why humans have had to wait until rivers are burning to fix pollution? It is beyond me. But we have had to have our head handed to us first. Well, in this final 'war' on life, we can't let that happen. We have to take charge of the world by taking charge of our unhealthy habits, and making achange.
STOP buying Chinese GOODs; or supporting companies that invest in Tibet. Let Tibet become the Mecca/Jerusalem/Rome of compassion…..a bastion for rational thought on life 'affirming' actions. A place most valuable to all humans. A "Switzerland" of humanity. Look at the amazing things the Dalai Lama has done…..all without his country. Try to imagine what he can do with it? It is humanity's treasure. Lets not let this one get screwed up, Ok?
For more information, trust yourself. You can read my free EBOOK, by clicking here; it will help. But in the end, Trust that little voice inside that everyone tries to tell you is "silly;" it's the true voice of survival. If that voice is silenced for good, not just discredited as it is now, what is the effect of that?
The amazingthing? How liberating it is, once you accept a pre-disposition towards building bridges, instead of kingdoms. Think you have no time or money to "do it?"
It takes no money; and creates time for you, as you disengage from a rigged game.
Now, You know why control freaks fear self-awareness and people working towards an enlightened state. They lose their hold on you.
http://americandelusion.blogspot.com/
:-)
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 4
Once, the Tibetans were among the world's fiercest warriors. China should remember that.
The actions of China in Tibet is little different from the settlers of this nation killing, cheating and displacing the American Indians (for many religious, it was ridding the world of heathens) ... and to this day there is no shame nor guilt by far too many ...
The people in this nation just have had it all too easy, like you say in this article, to take the time to have any introspection, to get in touch with their inner being, their higher Self, their Soul ...
But they will have ample opportunity very soon at the rate this world is going, because soon the "good" THINGS they have valued will not come so easy, as what they now have disappears in front of them ... maybe then they will come to see what Jesus was REALLY trying to tell them ... the same thing that the Tibetans have always known ...
At least for those of us that have come to know and those that may yet find out before it is too late, we can know that we tried to warn everyone ... small comfort that may be ... better start to take the warnings seriously folks, this is NOT meant to be a fear tactic, just good common sense that your own INtuitions are attempting to tell you ... Listen Up !!!
Too often folks ignore the signs; THEN, its too late. Lets hope people aren't too stuck in their own Paradigms & dramas ('comfy' in the familar, tho dysfunctional denial) to embrace necessary changes in perspectives.
As for Coke, it may be one of the biggest "casualties." They have been selling bottled water w/syrup so long (charging so much, with crazy margins) that they might not be able to adapt. Remember when they had 2 liter bottles at nearly $3 a piece? Now, they are at $1.20 each...while store brands are at 69 cents a bottle? Same stuff, and the off-brand is still making lots of money. When the cap cost more than the contents.....it time for a change.
Here is the chapter of my book on all U ever wanted to know about Brand Management/Marketing & large consumer products companies:
http://americandelusion.blogspot.com/2008/03/chapter9-perceived-needs-tibet.html
Think U will like it :-)