New Age spirituality: Can it actually save the planet?

placidranger said:My point is simply that, on average, humanity lives much better than before. Yes.

We agree there. But that doesn't make it irrelevant. There’s actual substance to this. Unfortunately, not good substance. Have you heard of "Problem-Reaction-Solution"? It’s intentional. That’s a different topic, but in the context of this discussion, it’s about division—about creating an "us versus them" mentality, splitting people into endless factions so there's zero social cohesion at any level.

I explained above why it’s like this. Sadly, when it comes to social relations, progress is glacial.

It's an illusion. Right now, we possess means of destruction far more terrifying than anything history has ever seen. Religious divides remain entrenched; fanatics cause deaths on a daily basis...

What I’m describing is just one snapshot of the situation. Someone will argue whether it's accurate or not—it doesn't really matter. It only serves to highlight the necessity for humanity to move toward peace, unity, prosperity, and freedom... And by that, I mean all of humanity, not just the developed parts. I have no intention of diving deeper into a full analysis. This is enough.

I believe no radical action is needed and that everything is slowly trending upward. 🤷
That's why I have nothing left to say on this; we'd just be arguing over impressions, and if we start playing with statistics, we could end up anywhere.

I'll take this as a joke. An unsuccessful one.

It worked for me; I had a laugh. 😁
By the way, why is it so hard for you to draw a comparison to Jainism?

It's perfectly clear to me that you don't see what I'm talking about. I don't blame you, but I expect you to stop being flippant.

Let me give you some direction. If we are all one, it means God isn't separate from us—that He is within us, in every single person, that every individual is divine, and that God is everything surrounding us. That carries infinite implications.

And you're enlightened—sorry, I forgot. 😁
(Do I need a disclaimer here so you don't take offense? 😁)
Thanks, but I’m not looking for a roadmap.

Religions teach us that God is some entity up in the clouds—someone who wants things from us, demands things, commands us, punishes us, or rewards us. They dangle heaven or hell, karma, or the idea that death is the end. Every faith claims to be the ultimate truth, possessing everything necessary to be superior to the rest. That's how generations have been conditioned for thousands of years. But if we accept that God resides within us rather than somewhere "up there," then it follows naturally that God doesn't demand anything from us—no commands, no threats of hell or karma, no idea that death is the final curtain. It also implies that the divine in the heavens supports the divinity within me, within you, and within all of us—that the entire creation acts as a support system. Naturally, realizing this changes every single relationship on this planet.

Maybe that makes your perspective a bit clearer.

Yeah, I get your take on equality now.

rustymaker5 said:The problem is that people have completely lost sight of Wholeness and replaced it with individualism—but I mean individualism in the worst sense of the word... we've forgotten that through our thoughts, our words, and our actions, we are actively constructing our own relative reality, yet we walk around thinking this reality is some external thing happening independently of us, as if we have no hand in it at all. It’s just this profound alienation from our true Nature, which most people aren't even aware exists...
Once we finally grasp that everything occurring—every single thing—was prompted and triggered by us, and that all events are essentially the byproduct of the combined consciousness of all people, then, and only then, do we open the door to real prosperity.
An individual can't just go out and change external events (since those things were built by all of us together, and none of us alone has grown enough in our own awareness to shift something that was collectively manufactured), so as individuals, we can only, and really we must, focus on changing our own internal experience. Only when every person works on themselves—in terms of ethics and realizing who we truly are by our very Nature—can we reach that critical mass needed for humanity as a whole to make an evolutionary leap forward...

That Wholeness is what some people describe simply: when a butterfly flaps its wings, the entire world feels the ripple effect. 🙂

gentlemaker6 said:Every single person on Earth needs to be part of this. I wasn't just talking about a select few; I meant everyone.

Each of us has a role to play, and we ought to play it. We should contribute at whatever level we are able. As the saying goes: "Think globally, act locally."

casualmaker13 said:I mean, we’re all essentially one, just on this deep, invisible level that most people can't quite wrap their heads around. It makes sense why so many folks don't believe in God, or if they do, they picture some guy sitting way up in the clouds, judging us or handing out rewards. It’s this distant figure they have zero connection with—someone where you basically need a priest to act as a middleman just to handle your sins.
Most of these people just don't see the world for what it really is. I guess they aren't interested in taking the wheel and actually owning their thoughts, words, and actions. Instead, they expect someone else to step in and fix things for them, washing away their mistakes so they can go right back to making the same ones over and over again.
They don't seem to realize that we’re all building our own tomorrows. We actually have the power to change things, but only if we do it as individuals, starting with ourselves.
Honestly, they just need an awakening.
The more of us who turn inward and reconnect with the source, the more things start shifting in the right direction.
That's why it matters so much for us to wake up, work on our awareness, and finally take responsibility for how we show up. If we can focus on creating positive thoughts, emotions, and actions, we might actually build a better world—one that's actually a pretty nice place to live.🙂

Richard Walker79 said:I'll say it again: you are looking for blame in all the wrong places. Most people don't even have basic human rights. How can you expect an average citizen to take action when the government and the ultra-wealthy are already dictating their thoughts and actions? You're living in a total illusion.

Take it up with the billionaires and their buddies in power. They are the ones polluting and wrecking the planet. You capitalist imperialists will destroy not just the environment, but the very people who live in harmony with it, all for a tiny bit of profit.

Try reading some uncensored history books—they are the best teachers in life. Just look at how the Native Americans, the pagans, and others who lived in tune with nature ended up.

There isn't much you can do here, my friend. Save one tree, and they'll just go ahead and clear-cut the entire forest. Look at our polluted rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans!
To truly grasp these issues, you need a much deeper perspective. Right now, you simply lack that insight and wisdom.

In short, only those actually in charge have the power to be a Savior—to stop the destruction and the pollution.

gentlemaker6 said:I am not looking for someone to blame. My point is about action—specifically, the need to shift our collective consciousness and how we approach everything. This isn't just for a select few; it requires everyone to step up, regardless of their status or background. Only through that kind of internal shift will we see genuine external change that benefits us all.

Ecology is merely one piece of the puzzle—it's an effect. My focus remains on the underlying causes.

gentlemaker6 said:Every single person on Earth needs to be part of this. I wasn't just talking about a select few; I meant everyone.

Each of us has a role to play, and we ought to play it. We should contribute at whatever level we are able. As the saying goes: "Think globally, act locally."

gentlemaker6 said:Every single person on Earth needs to be part of this. I wasn't just talking about a select few; I meant everyone.

Each of us has a role to play, and we ought to play it. We should contribute at whatever level we are able. As the saying goes: "Think globally, act locally."

Edward Foster57 said:So everyone has to help build your vision? Give me a break...
I’d much rather things stayed the way they are—where everyone works on their own vision.

Everyone's supposed to contribute to your vision? Wow...
I'd prefer it if everyone just contributed to their own vision instead of yours.

gentlemaker6;13072997 said:Can we actually save our beautiful planet and make it a place worth living in? QUOTE]

While I appreciate the sincerity and the good intentions behind starting this discussion, I find myself frequently wondering if this magnificent planet can somehow protect itself from us.😁
I must admit, I was left quite shaken by a certain perspective regarding humanity and the Earth. Specifically, I recall when Mr. Smith remarked that humans act much like viruses—a contagion that migrates to a new territory only after they have completely depleted the resources of the first. It is a grim, endless cycle.

swiftsurfer27 said:Even if you’re starting this thread with nothing but good intentions and genuine enthusiasm, I can't help but wonder: is there actually anything this beautiful planet can do to save itself from us?😁
I have to admit, I was pretty shaken by one particular perspective on humanity and our relationship with Earth. Specifically, when Mr. Smith remarked that humans act like viruses—just a contagion that migrates to a new territory once they've finished stripping the first one bare. And the cycle just repeats.

placidjackal36 said:The reality is, this is just the byproduct of rising living standards and a growing population. More people means more demand, which means more energy needed. To put it in simple, illustrative terms: for an Indian to live a tolerable life throughout the year, let's say they need about 1 GJ of energy annually, sourced from wood. That is a tiny amount of energy, and there aren't many Indians to begin with.🙂
The sheer volume of wood a tribe harvests to burn for energy is so minimal that it’s actually less than the forest's natural growth rate. We love to say an Indian "lives in harmony with nature," but it's not really about harmony; it's just that they take less than what the environment can replenish. If the forests were smaller and the population larger, the consequences would hit them almost immediately.

Once you reach a highly developed society with a massive population, your energy consumption skyrockets. Nowadays, your average American home requires upwards of 50 GJ of energy per year.

It seems irrational to expect humanity to just abandon everything we've built, move into shacks, freeze in the dark, and spend all day doing absolutely nothing. This is where we are, and this is the reality we deal with.
In principle, all heterotrophic organisms are parasites on the Earth. They feed at the expense of autotrophs and the planet itself. Plants behave similarly. Any living thing requires matter and energy to survive. If those resources disappear, the organism either dies or moves to find a better spot. A plant will shift its growth to soak up more sunlight. A giraffe will track down a tree with juicier leaves. A bear isn't going to sit by a dry creek bed waiting for fish to appear; it’ll go find a stream that actually has something in it. An elephant herd will clear out a patch of bushes and then move on.
Humans, in addition to looking for a more comfortable place to live, look for wherever the fuel is. Once we dig up and extract the very last ton, we just move on to open a new mine.

At the end of the day, we’re all essentially parasites; some of us are just more destructive than others.

The amount of wood a tribe harvests to burn for energy is so tiny that it’s actually less than the forest's regrowth rate. People always say an Indian "lives in harmony with nature." In reality, they aren't necessarily living in harmony; they are simply taking less than what nature can replenish. If the forest shrank while the number of Indians grew, we would feel the impact very quickly.

Once you have a highly developed society—meaning a massive population—you end up with huge energy demands. Nowadays, an average American home requires over 50 GJ of energy per year.

In principle, we are all parasites; some are just more harmful than others.

Richard Walker79 said:Actually, it’s more about the unnecessary destruction and pollution caused by pure greed.

The amount of wood a tribe harvests to burn for energy is so tiny that it’s actually less than the forest's regrowth rate. People always say an Indian "lives in harmony with nature." In reality, they aren't necessarily living in harmony; they are simply taking less than what nature can replenish. If the forest shrank while the number of Indians grew, we would feel the impact very quickly.

True harmony means not multiplying faster than what stays in balance with the environment.

Once you have a highly developed society—meaning a massive population—you end up with huge energy demands. Nowadays, an average American home requires over 50 GJ of energy per year.

The real issue lies with factories churning out junk and useless products, followed by all the cars on the road... All of that is actually quite easy to fix!

In principle, we are all parasites; some are just more harmful than others.

A parasite is someone who destroys everything—and eventually destroys themselves in the process.

The whole point of being in balance is that you don't just breed like crazy without thinking about it; you live in a way that stays in sync with nature. It’s about not overextending yourself beyond what the environment can actually sustain.

The real headache isn't actually that complicated if you look at it clearly. The biggest issue we’re facing is the massive amount of resources being poured into factories that churn out absolute junk—stuff nobody actually needs and half of which is low-quality garbage. Then you've got the whole automotive sector driving up the mess. Honestly, once you address those two sectors, everything else becomes easy to fix. It's just basic math.

A parasite is a destroyer—not just of its host, but eventually, it ends up destroying itself too. It’s a cycle that always catches up to them.

placidjackal36 said:Look, it’s simple math. If you actually want to see a profit, you have to move the product. Just piling inventory up in some warehouse isn't going to help anyone—least of all the guy who spent all that money filling the shelves in the first place. If there's no demand for what you're holding, you aren't selling it, and if you aren't selling it, you aren't making a dime. It’s just dead weight.
Look, it’s pretty simple: it just has to happen. No company is out there intentionally pumping out junk just to pollute the environment. That would be incredibly expensive and completely irrational from a business standpoint. It doesn't make sense.
Look, it’s pretty simple: raw material consumption is skyrocketing because we’re a bigger population and, frankly, we’ve become a lot more demanding. It isn't just about the fact that there are more of us out here consuming stuff; it's also about the sheer scale of what we expect from our gear. We aren't just looking for basic tools anymore—we're chasing constant technological breakthroughs. That relentless drive for the next big thing in tech is what's really pushing the demand through the roof.

The whole point of being in balance is that you don't just breed like crazy without thinking about it; you live in a way that stays in sync with nature. It’s about not overextending yourself beyond what the environment can actually sustain.

We moved past that ages ago. There’s no going back now—unless some plague or an asteroid, a comet, or even the Sun itself decides to thin our numbers out first.
Some people actually go as far as advocating for violence against certain groups of folks. Honestly? I’m with them. I say let everyone pushing that kind of rhetoric pack their bags and head out to some remote Pacific island where they can tear each other apart in peace. It would solve two problems at once: we wouldn't have to listen to their mindless nonsense anymore, and frankly, the planet would be a little bit better off for it.

The real headache isn't actually that complicated if you look at it clearly. The biggest issue we’re facing is the massive amount of resources being poured into factories that churn out absolute junk—stuff nobody actually needs and half of which is low-quality garbage. Then you've got the whole automotive sector driving up the mess. Honestly, once you address those two sectors, everything else becomes easy to fix. It's just basic math.

Spot on. If they actually managed to phase out cash, they’d probably manage to cut down on the sheer amount of nonsense being produced too. Though, honestly? I don't think it would be enough. There are just too many of us, and some people are still out here starving. It’d be a whole different story if everyone actually had enough to eat and a decent place to stay warm, too...

A parasite is a destroyer—not just of its host, but eventually, it ends up destroying itself too. It’s a cycle that always catches up to them.

Parasites don't necessarily just destroy themselves. It’s rarely that simple. 😕
It’s pretty simple, really. Whether it's a piece of iron or some microscopic pathogen, they’re going to consume resources until there’s nothing left, and then they just die off. It's basic biology. You see it with an elephant, a gazelle, or a cheetah—they live, they eat, they exhaust their environment, and that's the end of the line. Humans are different, though. We’re the only ones with brains developed enough to actually realize we're messing with our own surroundings. Once we catch on, we try to pivot. We look for alternatives or find ways to cut back on consumption because, let's face it, we aren't quite that stupid.

gentlemaker6 said:I believe it is unnecessary to dwell on the current state of our world; the facts speak for themselves. Every person should be deeply concerned about what lies ahead. The most unsettling part is the lack of a visible exit strategy. To put it bluntly, if we persist on this trajectory, some madman will eventually press the wrong buttons, and it will all come to a very sudden end.

We face a choice, both as a species and as individuals: do we pivot away from this chaos, or do we continue down a path defined by deepening divisions, escalating wars, and total devastation? Regardless of which way we turn, we possess both the strength and the resources required to make it happen.

It is my conviction that this downward spiral can only be reversed through a new kind of spirituality—a fundamental shift in how we relate to God, to ourselves, and to those around us. We can achieve this by establishing a single, concise foundation for our existence:

We are all one.

It is brief, simple, and profoundly true. It suggests that God, our Creator, is not separate from His creation, but rather permeates it entirely. He is the very fabric of every atom and the smallest particle in the physical universe, simultaneously breathing His spirit and life into everything. Because of this, He resides within each of us, is each of us, and is everything surrounding us. This makes us fundamentally identical, as we are crafted from the same essence. It makes us one, because everything that exists is Him, expressed through infinite forms.

As Jesus taught, when we do unto others as we would have them do unto us, we are actually doing it to ourselves, for we are not separate from our neighbors. When we act upon ourselves, we act upon everyone else. By bringing joy to others, we bring joy to ourselves; by helping others, we help ourselves; by insulting others, we insult ourselves; by slandering others, we soil our own reputation; by belittling others, we diminish ourselves; and by loving others, we love ourselves. And by loving ourselves, we love others...

The list of opponents to this idea is exhaustive. Organized religions are first in line, followed closely by atheists. That alone covers nearly the entire human population.

Nevertheless, there are those who grasp this truth and work to spread it. There are spiritual people living this reality and leading by example. A movement is forming, a process unfolding across this planet. It is currently in its infancy, but it is backed by the power of Truth and the force of Love.

I have initiated several threads regarding religion and spirituality, all of which have been intended to lead back to this singular point. I invite everyone to participate.

Can we save our beautiful planet and transform it into a place truly worthy of habitation? Can we transcend our personal, social, and religious limitations to ignite a process of peace, unity, and genuine prosperity? What steps must we take to succeed? Are you willing to join this movement? Do you have a mission? Do you have a vision?

coastalorca7 said:Here is the catch: you have to convince the consumer that they need specific items. Post-war production in Western Europe was focused on supplying the market with basic human necessities. Human needs are infinite (you just have to trigger them), but resources are finite. In today's highly industrialized nations, a consumer society needs to exist. Through targeted marketing campaigns, companies awaken desires within individuals that they weren't even aware they had. People demand more and more, and industry exploits this for profit by producing goods to satisfy these "manufactured" short-term needs. Once the item is used or discarded, the cycle repeats with the next product.

placidranger said:Fair enough, you might have a point—but I suspect you've fallen for the media hype. If your diet consists of nothing but news cycles, cable TV, and various preachers, it's hard not to feel like the world is perpetually sliding into an abyss. They make sure we have plenty of reasons to be miserable and anxious.
From where I'm sitting, the only reason they scream about how bad things are is to peddle junk we don't need under the guise of "solutions." It ranges from overpriced perfumes and sodas to that "instant spirituality" marketed to suburban housewives—even that nonsense linking quantum physics to our personal desires and "secret truths."

....
Can we actually save this beautiful planet and make it a place worth living in? Can we move past our personal, social, and religious limitations to trigger a movement toward peace, unity, and genuine prosperity? What steps are required for success? Are you willing to join the cause? Do you have a mission? A vision?

It feels a bit arrogant to assume we need to "save the planet." The Earth will keep spinning regardless of us—it survived much worse than a few billion parasites. If we overstep, the planet will simply shake us off and something else will take our place.
In my view, the process of building peace and unity is already underway and moving forward. For the average person on this planet, this is actually one of the most peaceful eras in history.

We are all one.

Richard Walker79 said:You keep using "we," but let's be real: change only ever happens at the individual level.
If people want to change, they'll do it.
It's not your business.

Edward Foster57 said:So everyone has to help build your vision? Give me a break...
I’d much rather things stayed the way they are—where everyone works on their own vision.

Everyone's supposed to contribute to your vision? Wow...
I'd prefer it if everyone just contributed to their own vision instead of yours.

emnasut462;13171198 said:

gentlemaker6 said:I believe it is unnecessary to dwell on the current state of our world; the facts speak for themselves. Every person should be deeply concerned about what lies ahead. The most unsettling part is the lack of a visible exit strategy. To put it bluntly, if we persist on this trajectory, some madman will eventually press the wrong buttons, and it will all come to a very sudden end.

We face a choice, both as a species and as individuals: do we pivot away from this chaos, or do we continue down a path defined by deepening divisions, escalating wars, and total devastation? Regardless of which way we turn, we possess both the strength and the resources required to make it happen.

It is my conviction that this downward spiral can only be reversed through a new kind of spirituality—a fundamental shift in how we relate to God, to ourselves, and to those around us. We can achieve this by establishing a single, concise foundation for our existence:

We are all one.

It is brief, simple, and profoundly true. It suggests that God, our Creator, is not separate from His creation, but rather permeates it entirely. He is the very fabric of every atom and the smallest particle in the physical universe, simultaneously breathing His spirit and life into everything. Because of this, He resides within each of us, is each of us, and is everything surrounding us. This makes us fundamentally identical, as we are crafted from the same essence. It makes us one, because everything that exists is Him, expressed through infinite forms.

As Jesus taught, when we do unto others as we would have them do unto us, we are actually doing it to ourselves, for we are not separate from our neighbors. When we act upon ourselves, we act upon everyone else. By bringing joy to others, we bring joy to ourselves; by helping others, we help ourselves; by insulting others, we insult ourselves; by slandering others, we soil our own reputation; by belittling others, we diminish ourselves; and by loving others, we love ourselves. And by loving ourselves, we love others...

The list of opponents to this idea is exhaustive. Organized religions are first in line, followed closely by atheists. That alone covers nearly the entire human population.

Nevertheless, there are those who grasp this truth and work to spread it. There are spiritual people living this reality and leading by example. A movement is forming, a process unfolding across this planet. It is currently in its infancy, but it is backed by the power of Truth and the force of Love.

I have initiated several threads regarding religion and spirituality, all of which have been intended to lead back to this singular point. I invite everyone to participate.

Can we save our beautiful planet and transform it into a place truly worthy of habitation? Can we transcend our personal, social, and religious limitations to ignite a process of peace, unity, and genuine prosperity? What steps must we take to succeed? Are you willing to join this movement? Do you have a mission? Do you have a vision?

The truth is, it is possible. Let's just hope it isn't necessary. 😁