Stephan: The entire time I was in the hospital coincided with the horrifying and unprovoked rape of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin, who his adoring "useful idiot" Donald Trump called a "genius." Since when you are in a hospital you have nothing to do but lie in bed and either read or watch television that is what I did. I watched hours of television on the Russian invasion and started reading Ken Follett's excellent well-researched novel series The Century Trilogy, which tracks the period before World War I, the Communist takeover of Russia, and the period leading up to and during World War II. The two together showed me once again why democracy is so important.
Democracy is based on consensus. With autocracies, as we are seeing, one rather average man, two decades in power, can on a whim destroy the lives of 44 million Ukrainians, and millions more in the country he leads, Russia. Also, as I watched and read, I began to think about what a person like myself could do to support Ukrainian democracy and its people. Robert Reich gives good advice in this; which I intend to follow. I would add this. Take 20 minutes sometime each day, and hold the intention that Ukraine's democracy survives in health, and the invasion stops. If 10% of humanity does this there will be a startling effect. The research data suggests this situation will change to greater wellbeing. This may sound airy-fairy, but Gandhi got independence for India without a war using this powerful technique.
Russians invading Ukraine
The waitperson where I had breakfast this morning broke down in tears over Ukraine. “I just don’t know what to do,” she said.
She’s not alone. I feel the same way. You probably do, too.
That one tyrant can cause this much human suffering defies whatever progress we assumed civilization had made since Hitler’s rise almost a century ago. That Putin can wreak such havoc on innocent people, seemingly unconstrained by others in Russia’s government, makes a mockery of modern ideas about governance in even totalitarian regimes.
That he has control over a nuclear stockpile capable of annihilating much of humanity lays bare — even more starkly than does climate change — how far humanity has fallen behind in the primal race between technology and survival.
But bear in mind several encouraging things. The rich nations of the world that still practice democracy are exercising a unity of resolve not seen in decades. Thankfully as well, we in the United States have as president a person who is sane, thoughtful, experienced, and even-tempered. Can you imagine where we’d be with the former guy?
I will join in holding the intention daily that Ukraine’s democracy (& ours!) survive healthily intact…& add, per the research (see lifeharmonized.com on YouTube etc. etc.): my POSITIVE vision, rather than what we don’t want… Thank you all, I add to this invitation
Peter Converse
on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Stephen,
I’ve found that an excellent platform to follow what’s happening in Ukraine is Reddit, r/ukraine. There are reports directly from the Ukrainian military, hourly, and also from the people.
Thanks, Stephen. So glad that you’re feeling well again and that all went well.
Even 1% will have an effect!
I will join in holding the intention daily that Ukraine’s democracy (& ours!) survive healthily intact…& add, per the research (see lifeharmonized.com on YouTube etc. etc.): my POSITIVE vision, rather than what we don’t want… Thank you all, I add to this invitation
This Afternoon at 1700 EST the transcendental meditation program “TM talks” is having just such a discussion about the powerful influence on society of large group meditation. If you want to watch the link is: https://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=96152054&msgid=1318993&act=PXOF&c=381609&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fzoom.us%2Fj%2F177174913&cf=156893&v=1d6d30321cf539187966ac425e859c08b199ba9b7b9834a933973436a6766890
Stephen,
I’ve found that an excellent platform to follow what’s happening in Ukraine is Reddit, r/ukraine. There are reports directly from the Ukrainian military, hourly, and also from the people.
Glad to hear you are healing Stephan…