We often get sick when we disregard what our ancient bodies need: fresh food, a little movement, clean water, fresh air, and so forth.
But we also have an ancient soul, an ancient mind – and they, too, suffer of our modern times. The enormous increase in depression is a sign of it.
What were our living conditions for millions of years? Certainly, I don’t know all the specifics, but certainly cave people did not stare at a screen all day, live and work in isolated cubicles, sleep alone, eat alone, be exposed to an explosion of images and facts – and a dearth of meaning.
Without returning to stone-age primitive living or the commune – but ancient people slept in a pile under bearskins, always touching and smelling their neighbors, they hunted in groups, they gathered in groups, they de-liced one another. Granted, to live so close to each other might have increased aggression and homicide. But today, we suffer from the opposite: loneliness and isolation. If yours is a happy, creative solitude, don’t worry. But if you get your most intimate exchange from TV, messenging and computer, you set yourself up for depression – bad food and lack of exercise exacerbating the situation.
Just acknowledging our ancient needs is a step out of the isolation. Hug and kiss as much as possible! I always felt that the hugs I gave to patients (only with their permission) nourished me as well as them. Stay in touch with loved ones – even if they live far away. Write letters asking and granting forgiveness to people you have lost from your life. Join a community for art, music, dance, spirituality. Acknowledge that you are a social animal (forget the partying side which seldom brings fulfillment) since the dawn of times. Read More
Blog: On Health. On Writing. On Life. On Everything.
We Are Hard-Wired For Awe, Respect, Morals
May 7, 2010
A Yale study just concluded that babies already can differ between good and bad behavior. In eighty percent of cases, the baby chose the “good guy” puppet after they had seen a short puppet show.
Exactly what I always thought: We are hard-wired for awe, respect and morals. Unfortunately, we are also hard-wired to follow peer-pressure – and those two forces fight war over our souls. To enforce the knowledge of good and bad, we need a nurturing culture around us, in families, and schools.
Let’s not take morals too narrowly, though. Most morals have very little to do with sex (after all, it is a biological drive and, in all cultures and religions, has been hard to suppress), and very much to do with money and power. (Does not mean that I am a libertine; just means that sniffing out other people’s bedroom habits is not my cup of tea).
Religions often abuse our innate longing for goodness and request obedience to their rules and superiors. I personally think goodness is already undermined if you have somebody paid as a priest/minister/pastor; I hold that people should come together voluntarily and should stay unpaid lay celebrants. Religions that preach to hate, should be out. Spirituality that fosters kindness should be in.
This is what I want to see celebrated: Nature foremost because we would not be here without Good Mother Earth and her water, air and soil, families, nurturing traditions, worldwide community, justice, music, art, education and books. Read More