Perfect Balance - A Quality of Pure Consciousness

"A perfect equity adjusts its balance in all parts of life."

Ralph Waldo Emerson. (1803-1882).

I like this quotation for its simplicity and economy of expression. It is very succinct and fits well with my theme for the day: a perfect balance, one of the Qualities of Pure Consciousness.

A perfect balance alludes to a condition where who we are and our perceptions of ourselves are in exact agreement. Who we are is an immutability, but our perceptions of ourselves are not; they can be decidedly twisted as we all know.

The reality of our being is connected to the unified field, the Pure Consciousness, that forms the backdrop of the universe. Once our perceptions develop to the point where we see and accept ourselves for what we truly are, we will meld in with the universe on all levels.

The realization of this melding is what we know from mystics and spiritual leaders as revelation or enlightenment.

Did you know that one surefire way for an ordained monk or nun to get expelled from a Buddhist monastery is to make a false claim of enlightenment? Enlightenment is not to be taken lightly!

The world is not in a perfect balance, of course, but there are some encouraging signs. As we all increase our awareness we all move a little closer to the goal. Step by step. Moment by moment.  ⊕

Antidepressants depress less anti than we think

The Globe and Mail reports on a study from British Columbia that said antidepressants given to teens and children are at best only marginally better than giving placebos.

The author of the study, Dr. Jane Garland, cited another study showing that 69 per cent of clinically depressed young patients improved taking the SSRI drug Zoloft, compared with 59 per cent who improved taking a placebo.

Then she made this opbservation: "Essentially, only one in 10 patients receiving [Zoloft] improved, a result described in the report as 'statistically and clinically significant' when it is almost certainly clinically meaningless."

I can't but wonder if an Ayurvedic approach or something similarly holistic would be better: treat the whole person, don't just throw a drug into it hoping to balance the chemistry of 50 trillion body cells. It's an inventory managment problem we can't hope to solve anytime soon. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise coupled with non-existent stress coping skills can be tackled without drugs.  ⊕

Extroverts Have Edge Balancing Work and Family

This report: Extroverts Have Edge Balancing Work and Family, basically states the obvious: Brooding isn't good for you. So lighten up, live longer and have more fun along the way.  ⊕

Stakeholder consultation launched on urban environment

The European Union has a new project: Stakeholder consultation launched on urban environment.

I believe the project is a step in the right direction and sincerely hope it will acccomplish more than just filling a yard of shelf space in a government archive. It seems that no public action is ever taken until a problem reaches endemic or near catastrophic proportions. Even then, the legislative bodies seem frightfully slow to take affirmative action. We can hope - and maybe pray? - for a better outcome.
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Power and Population in Asia

A new report, Power and Population in Asia by Nicholas Eberstadt - Policy Review, No. 123, gives some important and enlightning insights into the power and effects of demographics.

This is quite an informative piece and it dispells some common misconceptions about what is going on in the world populationwise. Tells a good story about what demographics is all about and what it means to us in practical terms in the specific context of Asia and Eurasia.  ⊕