A potpourri of pieces

I ran a writer’s group in Ireland many years ago and would use a blue notebook during these sessions.  Often I would suggest writing tasks/triggers and everyone would have a go.  In the silent moments of concentration I too, would scribble ideas.  This same notebook I found in my mother's garage this week and decided to use some of the half-thought-out ideas in this blog posting. They are far from complete and diverse and I’d forgotten their existence but somehow it feels right to resurrect and share them now. These are the first two pieces.  One meditative in quality and the other a science fiction fantasy tale.

1. The calm of the morning

I find if I start the day off right it all flows better. By starting right I mean I find a quiet spot on a chair near a window in my home. There, I begin by looking out and drinking in the view. My thoughts race here and there. On the birds, in the hedges, the clouds closing in, and the pain in my back. Then, the thoughts begin to settle like a flock of birds landing on the lawn. I remember all the people past and present I love and pray for their protection and happiness. Going a bit deeper and I look inward thinking about who I am and what I need to change. If I sit long enough even these thoughts disappear. Stillness comes, a tiny moment of calm. There is suddenly a sense of well-being, of being mindful in this world. I find myself grateful for another day, another chance to do things better, to be a better person.  

As Saint Jerome (342–347 AD), an early translator of the Bible,  so eloquently put it,

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.

2. Unity, not science saves the day (Sci-Fi)

It has been an incredible unlikely breakthrough, discovering that by placing large mirrors in space it was possible to reverse global warming. The Max Planck Institute in Hamburg Germany had come up with this amazing piece of geoengineering. The physics was simple enough, the mirrors reflected the sun's rays away from the Earth and by selectively reducing the incoming rays were able to precisely compensate for the extra trapped heat. Global temperatures were brought down to preindustrial levels in a surprisingly short period of time.  The headlines screamed ‘Scientists to the Rescue’ and the world population heaved a communal sigh of relief.  Several Pacific islands under threat from flooding of their low-level land were saved.  Glacier coverage at the poles went from a frightening reduction rate to a more stable state. 

What was really clever about the system called (Geo Electromagnetic Management System - GEMS) was that when temperatures plummeted due to a severe winter in the northern hemisphere careful adjustment of the radio-controlled mirrors were able to direct extra sunlight to an entire snowbound eastern coastal region of the US and helped clear transport lines, reduce freezing temperatures and yet prevent urban flooding. It seemed these mirrors could not only combat global warming but could also be used to moderate any severe weather fluctuations. It was felt that GEMS was a super version of the massive dams which had controlled water supply in the previous centuries. It was just that now, these enormous mirrors could enable an equally sensitive control of the sunlight hitting our earth. The Max Planck Institute made millions and won the Nobel prize in physics for their startlingly clever invention. Then, things began to go wrong.

It two decades to discover that just as the massive dams across rivers in the US had in fact damaged huge swaths of ecosystems these mirrors had been having unknown impacts on ocean temperatures.  As one eminent scientist explained it, 

“It is a bit like controlling one simple part of a complex global interrelated process for your own ends.  As a result of GEMS, other vital features of the planet’s wellbeing are thrown out of sync.  Unfortunately, the damage done is irreparable and irreversible.  The end result is that we will just have to live with the consequences of what has been done.”  

This was dismissed as nonsense by the management team at GEMS who pointed out that such naysayers always underestimated what science could achieve. Adjustments could be made and errors reduced. Popular opinion was behind the scientists and it took a decade before the GEMS mirrors were dismantled.  Arguments raged across the world as to the correct course of action with toxic polarisation of the pro-GEMS population and the anti-GEMS.  Any attempt at a reasonable discourse appeared impossible in such a rancid climate of debate. By that stage, ocean warming had passed the tipping point and runaway climate change triggered huge loss of life across the globe. Disunity bred dissension and disease and it took another century for unity to come.  When a world community eventually began to act as one, positive change was remarkable.  As one comedian said, “It was as if the whole earth’s system was waiting for us to get our act together before it would play ball!”  

“It is the light of the intellect which gives us knowledge and understanding …”

'Abdu'l‑Bahá

It has been worse and it can get better!

In 2019 a book was published entitled Epidemics and Society from the Black Death to the present. It was written by Frank M Snowden.  It is fascinating to learn that only half a century ago two infectious disease departments of renowned US universities were closed under the misguided belief that their job was done.  The fact that we are now in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, rates of measles and mumps are rising and even newer infectious diseases are appearing should shake us from that previous complacency.

Snowdon’s book suggests that infectious diseases, over history, have shaped society in ways that are as critical as other crises such as wars, revolution, famine, shortage of water, or economic collapse.  Given that, perhaps we need to give this topic a great deal more attention.  A table can help to put it in historical context (see below).  It certainly indicates that pandemics have been around a long time and highlights how deadly the Justinian plague, the Black Death, and the Spanish Flu were compared to all the rest.  It is salutary to realise that those who survived the killing fields of World War I also endured the deadly Spanish flu that followed it.  In case we thought our present generation was particularly blighted by disease it is worth remembering humanity has seen much worse days.      

A quick look at the WHO disease outbreak page today,  provides an urgent wake-up call. The war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo is suffering from more than Ebola (fatality rates of 90%). There is also a measles outbreak, and a circulating strain of polio that mutated from the live, weakened one in the oral vaccine. It is worrying to discover that the old enemy of humanity, plague broke out in Madagascar in the last five years. It is endemic in that country, but has been successfully brought under control by the concentrated efforts of International bodies and local government.  It is worth understanding the vocabulary used in discussing diseases.  I have to confess I only recently understood the difference between endemic, outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic.  For something that has impacted us all on so many levels, it is worth understanding these words precisely.

Between March and July of 2021 there has been an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in Saudi Arabia.  Although only 810 deaths have occurred, this disease has an eye-watering fatality rate of 35% (Covid 19 is around roughly 2.5%).  In reading the information about this outbreak the WHO declares (WHO)

“Food hygiene practices should be observed. People should avoid drinking raw camel milk or camel urine, or eating meat that has not been properly cooked.”

You are no doubt relieved to hear that your personal risk of catching this disease from eating camels or drinking camel urine is low!  Camels can be easily avoided by most of us, but don’t feel too relaxed this MERS-CoV has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans too. Indeed other species of animals and creatures are also perfectly capable of spreading diseases to humans.  Monkeys are responsible for the Monkey B virus with a horrendous fatality rate of 42%. Well, I say responsible but if we didn’t hunt, keep, kill and eat such animals we might be fine.  Bats are responsible for horrid diseases with huge fatality rates ranging from Marburg virus at 50% to the Nipah virus with a 75% rate.  Worryingly even the tiny simple Tsetsy fly can cause the African Sleeping disease which has a 42.5% fatality rate.  The cute sounding Dear mouse can cause Hantavisus pulmonary syndrome with a fatality of 36%.  Not to mention bird flu whose fatality rate is also in the region of 20-40%.  Then finally, to freak everyone out there is the Brain-eating amoeba which lives in warm fresh water and enters our body through our noses and results in a 95% fatality rate.  I suspect your feeling of relief at the start of this paragraph has just about dissolved by now.  

There is of course good news on many fronts and I’ll just mention three. 

• When the world collaborates and works together to fight a deadly virus, as in the case of Smallpox, it is incredible what the world can achieve. This virus caused 500 million deaths in its last 100 years of existence but a united humanity managed to eradicate it in 1980.  However, it did take 200 years from the discovery of a successful vaccine for this to happen.  The signs are that the world has been able to speed up this process considerably as shown by the recent Covid 19 pandemic.  However, without a unified approach communities left unprotected from any disease are not only more vulnerable to this disease but also provide a perfect breeding ground for new variants/viruses which can undo all that has been achieved. 

• The other good news is the range of treatments now available for so many of these contagious diseases and this has helped reduce the fatality statistics mentioned earlier.  Providing good timely medical treatment is such a no-brainer we should be supplying it to every human being in need. We should certainly not be allowing immune systems to be weakened through lack of food or access to safe water.  Prevention is not only extremely cost-effective it helps us use our medical interventions in a more targeted way.

• It is excellent to know that our own bodies have a system of defence that is truly breathtaking.  Our immune system has huge groups of cells designed specifically to defend the body from illness and infection. These are crack troops designed to fight pathogens, viruses, bacteria, and mutated cells that seek to do us harm.  We actually have two separate armies to defend us one innate and the other acquired through previous exposure. One army is excellent at attacking quickly, the second is battle-hardened troops who have successfully fought this enemy before.
  
  
  

        

Keeping your immune system functioning normally, via the right nutrition, is a simple preventative step that makes so much sense (mayo clinic advice).  Researchers have also found considerable evidence that positive emotions boost the immune system, while negative emotions act to suppress it. 

        The more you think about the human body and how all the major organs work to keep it healthy perhaps a similar pattern is necessary in a world community working to address the important problems we face.  Diseases can shape societies as history has shown but they also force us to think globally as one people on one planet. 

“The bedrock of a strategy that can engage the world’s population in assuming responsibility for its collective destiny must be the consciousness of the oneness of humankind.” 

Bahá’í International Community

Signs of a better future give a new direction and hope

There is a gradual diffusion of a spirit of world solidarity arising spontaneously out of our disorganised and seemingly disintegrating society. It is fueled by the fundamental principle of the oneness of humanity and whatever the country, politics, religion, culture, gender or even age-old customs signs of this solidarity are emerging around the world.  It is worth examining these signs and understanding each of their implications. However, even more, important is their interactions because although each is powerful in their own right as they begin to show evidence of synchronicity their impact will grow exponentially.  At a time when despair is rampant and disunity strident these signs of a better future give a new direction and hope.

1. World Citizenship -  What is it? A global citizen is someone who is aware of and understands the wider world - and their place in it. What does it mean? They take an active role in their community and work with others to make our planet more equal, fair and sustainable.

This kind of citizen forms their own understanding of world events.

They reflect on their values and what's important to them.

Having reflected they take the important step of acting in the real world around them.

They are ready and prepared to challenge ignorance and intolerance in society.

Their involvement in local, national and global communities means they help shape a wider society than just their family.

They can consult with others, voice their own opinions while also listening to others.

They are convinced they have the power to act and influence the world around them.

“All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honour of one is the honour of all.
And whatever we do affects everything in the universe.”

Passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman

    2.  Environmental Awareness – What is it?  Environmental awareness is an ideology that evokes the necessity and responsibility of humans to respect, protect, and preserve the natural world. What does it entail? It involves working for environmental protection and improvement of the health of the environment. It requires an understanding of how the global earth system works and how the impact of major changes on that environment impacts on the health of humans, animals, plants and even the quality of our air, water and soil.

“Treat the earth well: 

it was not given to you by your parents, 

it was loaned to you by your children. 

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, 

we borrow it from our Children.”

 – Tribe Unknown

3.     Promotion of public health – What is it? It means building a better, healthier future for people all over the world.  It will mean working across all countries to contribute to achieving better health for everyone, everywhere. How is it achieved?  It means working together worldwide, as never before, striving to combat diseases – communicable diseases like influenza and HIV, and noncommunicable diseases like cancer and heart disease.  It will result in mothers and children not only surviving but thriving so they can look forward to a healthy old age. Ensuring the safety of the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink – and the medicines and vaccines we may need. 

One example of what can be achieved by a unified public health initiative is smallpox. It was declared eradicated in 1980 following a global immunization campaign led by the World Health Organization. Smallpox is transmitted from person to person via infective droplets during close contact with infected symptomatic people. Because of its highly infectious nature, smallpox was a devastating disease which killed a third of those it infected.  It was wiped off the face of the earth through vaccination carried out in a global campaign. We must not forget that an estimated 300 million people died from smallpox in the 20th century alone.  This was no small accomplishment.

Smallpox is not the only success. Rinderpest, a disease of livestock, has also been eradicated. This worldwide approach is now targeting more diseases with the same objective (poliomyelitis, yaws, dracunculiasis and malaria).  Knowing that such campaigns, which rely on cooperation across the face of the planet, can be such game-changers is a bright light in a dark world.

“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.” 

– Dakota

     4.  Concern for human rights - Historians are strangely in agreement that one of the great achievements of the twentieth century was the establishment of global standards for human rights along with international machinery to monitor human rights violations, to encourage compliance by governments with these standards, and to ensure that there is no safe haven for criminals who commit the gravest atrocities against their fellow human beings. The linchpins of this system are the U.N. Charter, adopted on June 26, 1945, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on December 10, 1948. The Universal Declaration affirms in its preamble that it is intended to serve as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.” Before the adoption of the U.N. Charter and the Universal Declaration governments had been tentative in recognizing that all human beings have certain inalienable rights; instead, the rights of individuals were viewed as primarily a domestic concern.

But these achievements, although steps forward, are not without limitations. Perhaps the most important drawback of the current system is how ineffective it has been in providing relief to human rights victims – and preventing them from becoming victims in the first place. The horrific truth is that every day countless human beings suffer gross human rights violations.  It highlights the fact that even worldwide charters and declarations shorn of sufficient power to implement protection of human rights will not suffice.

“For is it not your clear duty to restrain the tyranny of the oppressor, and to deal equitably with your subjects, that your high sense of justice may be fully demonstrated to all mankind? God hath committed into your hands the reins of the government of the people, that ye may rule with justice over them, safeguard the rights of the down-trodden, and punish the wrong-doers.”

Bahá'í writings

      5. Universal Education – What does it mean? It seeks to ensure that all have equal access to education, regardless of their social class, gender, ethnicity background or physical and mental disabilities.  Progress has been made on this goal however universal primary education has been a major problem for developing states as they do not have sufficient financial resources to build schools, provide books and other materials, and recruit, train, and pay teachers. The Sub-Saharan African region is the most affected region as 32 million African children are still uneducated. However, commentators noted that universal access to education remains an attainable goal by 2030. It is heartening to know this important goal, with long term dividends for us all and subsequent generations can be achieved.

“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”

- Iroquois Maxim (circa 1700-1800)

          6.   Interfaith Activities - Means cooperative, constructive, and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions, spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels.  One early example of this was The Parliament of Religions opened on 11 September 1893 in Chicago.  It included Faiths such as Jain, Zen, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Bahá'í Faith among others.  Despite these efforts to break down barriers between religions just over two decades later World 1 would break out.  Along with the subsequent loss of life moral standards were severely challenged by the atrocities perpetrated under the veil of warfare.  If spiritual living is about trying to raise standards of behaviour both in personal life and community living, war seems ever to degrade the nobility of humanity.  

   Often religious prejudices can fuel the differences between people, across nations and inflame intolerance.  Interfaith education in schools has proven highly effective in engendering respect for all religions (and for those with none) and if carried out properly can inoculate a growing generation against the infection of “otherness” that permits injustice to be perpetrated.

"There will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions. There will be no peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions"

Hans Küng, a Professor of Ecumenical Theology and President of the Global Ethic Foundation. 

7.  Social Activities in localities -  There is a toxic mindset that incapacitates positive tackling of problems facing local communities.  Partly, it proceeds for the erroneous idea that change should only happen from the top down.  Governments, politicians, rulers, leaders of industry/finance/social services etc. are delegated responsibility which bypasses the individual initiative that could take action.  It was not always so.  

   Community living, especially in villages, used to be much more proactive.  In such close-knit communities’ personal connections meant the vulnerable were cared for, issues facing the community were discussed and tackled with greater or less success.  In a modern increasingly isolated way of life more young, old, ill are falling through the gaps of overstretched government services.  Thankfully, for most people, there is still a mental memory of a different way of living from a generation or so ago.  When individuals are not just allowed but encouraged to play their role in service to their local community a new mindset emerges.  Such empowerment can even be lifesaving.  It also inspires others to follow suit.

      It is important to recognize an unhealthy self-obsessed mindset is as unhealthy to each individual as it is to the society around them.  This habit of service to others is a recipe for a healthier citizen.  Every individual, and more specifically the junior youth, when encouraged into acts of service to their local community find their place both physically and mentally in a distracted materialistic world.  More importantly, they find they can, impact positively to make real changes to the community around them.  Instead of being caught up in the negative forces junior youth literally find their footing in service and are transformed.

Local efforts in the area of development seek to promote social and material well-being of people of all walks of life, whatever their beliefs or background. Such endeavours are motivated by the desire to serve humanity and contribute to constructive social change. Together they represent a growing process of learning concerned with the application of action along with knowledge accumulated in different fields of human endeavour, to social reality. Social action can be consolidated by the conviction that every population has the right and responsibility to mark out the path of its own progress. Indeed, every people and nation has to have a vital contribution to make in constructing a new society characterized by principles such as harmony, justice, and prosperity.

“And the honour and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good. Is any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking within himself, should find that by the confirming grace of God he has become the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete delight. . ..”

Bahá'í writings

To be part of this wholesome transformation that is reflective of the oneness of humanity it is useful to contemplate your beginning, your life, your end and what you want your legacy will be. This American Indian saying nicely captures it.

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Cherokee

Practising Calligraphy and seeking illumination

The Báb, who was born almost 200 years ago in Iran, rose stellar-like with brilliance above the darkness of a corrupt world. His followers exhibited a fearless detachment from materialistic pursuits.  The address of the Báb (part of which is shown below) instructed his followers to set forth and proclaim a new revelation from God,  resonate with that eternal call to walk a spiritual path.

Despite atrocious persecution the mild-mannered Báb exhibited such warm loving gentleness that more and more fell under his spell.  Even his hardened prison guards could not but recognise his spiritual greatness and warm to his radiance. In his 20’s this young man proclaimed words which resonate still across the globe.

Despite imprisonment in more and more remote prisons, the Báb penned words of such simplicity and beauty they illuminate the heart to this day. Perhaps, it is only when sacrificing and suffering are the edges of the path we walk does the inner truth of nobility emerge. Certainly, the Báb’s short but moving cry out to God, "O God, my God, my Beloved, my heart's Desire" reminds us all that love for God that should ever animate our words and deeds.

In the face of imprisonment and torture, he did not withhold his call to urge others on this spiritual quest unlike any other.  In this prayer of the Báb, he speaks of how God is the remover of every anguish and the dispeller of every affliction and that only God can banish every sorrow.

Despite the brutality of his death, the vitality of this young man and his words fuelled the flames of a new world order.   This prayer of the Báb, below, calls for protection in times of tests and ends with the observation that nothing can withstand or thwart God's Will or purpose.

The Baha'i Faith has risen phoenix-like from the ashes of many thousands of his followers,  put to death, who would not nor could not recant the truth they knew he embodied.  Their pain and that of those who still to this day face death, imprisonment, exile, lack of education or jobs, or face discrimination is remembered in this piece.

On no subject was the Báb more vehement than on the coming of one even greater than he, “Him Whom God shall make Manifest”. Much of his writings urged his followers not to fail, like past generations, to recognise the Promised One. When Bahá'u'lláh declared his station on April 21, 1863 in a garden outside Baghdad, before being again exiled and imprisoned for much of his life, the Báb’s promise for humanity’s rejuvenation was fulfilled.

As this period marks the Bicentennial celebrations of the birth of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh it felt like the perfect time to take their powerful exhortations and try and use calligraphy to proclaim their eternal call to turn to God, obey His laws and to treat others with love and consideration. To recognise the essential oneness of humanity and its need for divine illumination in order to find its way in a dark, confused and divided world.  These words of Bahá’u’lláh remind us we are all broken-winged birds in need of a guiding light to bring illumination.

Often when we think of a spiritual path, great pilgrimages come to mind. Long distances travelled to spots blessed by the spiritual mirrors that effectively reflect the glory of God. The journey is meant to be both a physical and spiritual odyssey. Malta lay on the ancient pilgrim route to Jerusalem and much of its fortifications were to provide protection and shelter for pilgrims on the danger-ridden passage in homage to Christ. This prayer by Baha'ullah reminds us that, wherever we live from cave to mountain or from land to sea, praise of God has ever been the state that should be saught. 

Our journey in life both in place and time needs to be built on the recognition that we are all pilgrims on the path of nearness to God. Our words and deeds merely reflect that progress.

On the gravestone of my father-in-law, in Cornwall, is inscribed the quote below from Bahá’u’lláh. My father-in-law's name was Ridvan, and during these days of the Ridvan Celebrations, he comes easy to the mind.  A gentle loving soul who made unity his watchword.  Unity of family, of village, of country, of nation,  of religion and of humanity.  

The Baha'i Writings constantly reminds one of the need for spiritual progress and that the purer the heart the closer to God we become and as a result of this the greater the illumination revealed to us.  A Russian friend sent me this lovely arrangement of dried flowers whose simplicity and beauty is an echo of the words within.

Over thirty-five years ago at my wedding, a dear friend of mine, the doctor at the local hospice in Ireland read these writings (below), of Bahá’u’lláh during the service.  Afterwards, one of my relatives, a huge farmer of few words, came up and commented, "That's a very high standard -  generous, trustworthy, a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge... and be humble!"

It's important to realise what real wealth has always been about.  It has never been about possessions or riches of this life but always about attainment to the next world where the only things that will matter in your life here will be the steps that take you closer to God.

It is said that every least pebble can resound with praise of God and so this next piece tries to capture that with stones and flowers interspersed with Baha'i writings.

If there is one principle that the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh stressed more than any other it is that of unity.  That it is a reality not an aspirational goal.  The world is united. It faces challenges and difficulties that can only be addressed if this unity is accepted and implemented.  "..each and every thing manifesteth the sign of His Unity, testifieth to the reality of Him Who is the Eternal Truth, proclaimeth His sovereignty, His oneness, and His power."