Earth Day 2018

I’ve always thought of myself as an optimist. I generally “look on the bright side of life” and I seek silver linings after hardship and loss. Whether through the love of family and friends, the wisdom of ancient sages, or the solace of Nature, I find reasons to be hopeful.

Those close to me might argue that I’m more of a “neutralist.” They might point to my objective and analytical “Mr. Spock” nature around which I’ve built a science and engineering-based career. Or, they may point to my gravitation toward Eastern philosophy and my normally calm non-judgmental attitude. I tend to accept what is and adapt to situations as needed. I don’t worry much about what may be but rather attend to the things I want and need to do as best as I’m able.  Sure, I plan for the future, have hopes and dreams, and have a vision for a healthy world, but I don’t dwell on failures, shortcomings, and dead ends. The pragmatic MacGyver in me has dealt with unexpected situations enough times to have confidence that things will work out.

As this Earth Day neared, I considered how my perspective as a neutralist leaning towards optimism has shaped my reaction to environmental concerns of the day. I realized that I’m being apolitical.  Besides the typical reasons like parental and familial responsibilities, professional duties, and competing personal interests, life affords plenty of opportunities to be disengaged from the big problems like climate change, gun violence, gender rights, immigration, and a misguided Presidency. Life presents plenty of distractions and valid reasons not to be political.

What’s politics have to do with it?” you might ask.  That’s what I thought so I grabbed my copy of the wonderful Politics for Human Beings (Hummel and Isaak, Duxbury Press, 1980). There, I was reminded that “Politics is a social act to resolve the tension between human needs and social facts.”  Hummel and Isaac explain:

Social facts are old social acts that have become conditions. Social facts often frustrate human needs. For example, although people set up a corporation to satisfy their own needs and wants, as soon as their act becomes a condition, it frustrates the needs of others who share more in the pollution than in the profits created by the firm. Thus the social acts of one group of people to satisfy their own needs often frustrate the fulfillment of needs perceived by other groups. As soon as such tension between social facts and human needs is perceived, political consciousness comes into being.

So the question may be, how intense does the tension between one’s human needs and the social facts of the day have to become to inspire an individual to become politically engaged?  For a neutralist leaning toward optimism, there have been plenty of ways to rationalize inaction – the easiest being to be ignorant of what is happening. One might avoid the social facts by turning off the Twitter feed and the nightly news. Some may choose to binge on Netflix, focus on their physical health, or find peace of mind in Nature. Political leaders who advocate building walls and closing borders, isolating ourselves and being suspicious of strangers, and bullying those who present inconvenient facts encourage the hermits among us to find a quiet places to avoid being engulfed in the pervasive and stupefying societal miasma being spewed.

But by avoiding the situation, we allow it continue unchecked.  We accept and endorse through our silence.  We keep the virtue and honor of our higher ideals to ourselves and neglect to call out the shameful and indecent behavior of others.

That’s why lately I’ve become a pessimist.

It seems to me that it’s the pessimists who push the envelope and force others out of their accepting complacency by challenging the status quo.  By definition, it’s the pessimists who see the worst in things.  By extension, I think they are less content, less accepting, less forgiving, and less agreeable than their counterparts.  They complain more, they want change, they speak up, they get pissed, and they make trouble.  I don’t see pessimists as being constantly scowling and bitter, but I do see them as being more likely to get upset about injustices and inequities than a neutralist or optimist.  My long-gone dear friend Karen Lundegaard impressed upon me the lesson that “it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease” as she struggled with health coverage that was insufficient to offer adequate care in her short battle with cancer.  And, while fighting for her life against a bureaucratic health-care system didn’t tarnish her positive outlook on life, it left me with a lasting awareness that if people don’t complain, systems won’t change on their own. An excellent current example of what it takes to change a system can be found in Cecile Richards’ new book, Make Trouble (Touchstone, 2018).

Changing implies that something else will be “better” for those whose needs aren’t being met. Better is a judgment call – who’s to say what is better? Society needs to make that call through political action. I agree with Michael J. Sandel who in his 4/8/18 New York Time Book Review piece on Robert Reich’s The Common Good points out that, “Against the grain of much liberal thinking, Reich acknowledges that promoting civic virtue requires being judgmental about what moral attitudes and qualities of character our public life should affirm and promote.”

But for the rare exceptions, individuals, no matter how charismatic, virtuous, sincere, well-intentioned, and honorable, have an insignificant impact on the momentum of society unless they band together in with a common cause.  The winter 2017 #Resist movement in the U.S. that emerged in response to the Trump presidency can be viewed as non-violent action in accordance with fundamental principles of what is right and fair in America. The Me Too movement, March for Our Lives, and Black Lives Matter are other recent examples of people organizing to resolve tensions between needs and social facts. Building on Reich’s point the, I’ll suggest that current conditions justify being judgmental about what behaviors and actions we need to take for the well-being of us all: whether that involves social equity, women’s rights, gun safety, racial equality, or the environment.

Another such organization is Climate Reality: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/

Having attended Al Gore’s October 2017 training in Pittsburgh with 1,400 other enthusiastic leaders, I felt some optimism that society was recognizing that current conditions and trends were leading us to an undesirable future. The 11,000+ members of Climate Reality are working to help us recognize that:

1.     Yes – we must change what energy we consume and how we consume it;

2.     Yes – we can and are changing past conditions through energy conservation, renewable energy, and the phasing out of coal-burning technologies; and

3.     Yes - we will eventually change. Change is occurring but is the pace sufficient enough? I think not and it’s for that reason that I became a Climate Reality Leader.

The reality of climate change has been accepted worldwide. Actions from the individual who chooses the most fuel-efficient modes of transportation available to the nation-states who are working to implement renewable energy economies, span a wide range of morally-driven actions aimed at resolving the tension between perceived needs and current conditions. I’m pessimistic that the Trump presidency will do anything good about Climate Change.  My objective for the year ahead is to help fuel the awareness that politically engaged people can lead our political leaders in morally virtuous directions: one critical direction being toward the societal acceptance of the realities of climate change.

Happy Earth Day!

I Ching Explorations: 1st 8 Recap

This is a recap of the 1st group of eight hexagrams according to the King Wen sequence:  numbers 1 through 8.

1:  A Time to Initiate & 2:  A Time to be Receptive

3:  A Time of Difficult Beginnings & 4: A Time of Youthful Inexperience

5:  A Time for Confident Waiting & 6:  A Time for Dispute

7:  A Time to Exert Collective Force & 8:  A Time for Unity

#1 (Ch’ien / Heaven) corresponds to a time when ideas spring forth, grow, mature and blossom with fruit, and endure through rejuvenation and continuity.  At this time, one’s energies are aligned with the cosmos and great things are possible.

But Initiating is incomplete without a Receiver.

#2 (K’un / Earth) corresponds to a time when it is appropriate to accept, submit to, and be receptive to the situation.  When one in this position is willingly led or guided by another, great freedom can result and great things can be accomplished.

Receptivity is incomplete without an Initiator.

From the union of spirit and substance (heaven and earth) come living things and all new things can find Difficulty at the Beginning.

#3 (Tún or Zhān) / Difficulty at the Beginning) denotes the early stages of life following the union of the primal forces of Heaven and Earth.  This is beginning of something new and full of potential that advances resolutely despite the initial challenges and difficulties inherent in pushing one’s way into the world.

As the infant grows, the Follies of Youth are inevitably exhibited.

#4 (Mêng / Youthful Folly) advises that with awareness of one’s lack of knowledge, trust in a wise advisor, and disciplined effort, the empty spaces in one’s knowledge can be filled like many individual pools until they flow together with purpose.

Youthful entities require Nourishment and nurturing to grow and mature.

#5 (Hsü [Xü] / Confident Waiting [Nourishment]) refers to a strategic and intentional approach to biding one’s time while a significant event, crisis, or danger passes.  Having inner certainty of achieving the goal leads to perseverance and the ability to stand up to one’s fate.  Inner confidence and unrelenting truthfulness allow one to endure and meet fate resolutely.

Waiting for something critical can lead to conflict and disputes – thus what follows is Dispute.

#6 (Sung [Sòng] / Conflict [Dispute]) conveys the intent to argue, litigate, dispute, or accuse.  These actions all involve the use of words - not physical contact.  In terms of social interactions, the conflict considered here is one of opposing opinions, beliefs, or ideologies.  The hope is that through advanced planning (so as to avoid the confrontation in the first place) or through mediation and arbitration with the aid of a mutually-respected third party, coming to blows can be avoided.

Where there is a Dispute, a multitude capable of exerting Collective Force is sure to gather.

#7 (Shih / The Army [Collective Force]) corresponds to a need to organize and activating the latent energy of individuals into a unified force.  When individuals are healthy and strong from having been nurtured and protected by a benevolent entity, their power can be directed by a wise leader to protect the whole.  Working together to overcome a challenge can have a calming and peaceful effect on the masses and lead to solidarity and Unity.

#8 (Pi [Bì] / Holding Together [Unity]) corresponds to a a time when member of a community feel united.  This is a time when individuals find value in joining together to benefit society.  A wise leader welcomes those who willingly seek to join and seeks no quarrel with those who do not.  Harmonious unity of effort leads to prosperity and the desire to store up and Accumulate.

#1 Ch’ien / The Creative & #2 K’un / The Receptive

#1  – Ch’ien (Heaven) over Ch’ien (Heaven)

THE CREATIVE

#2  – K’un (Earth) over K’un (Earth) 

 

THE RECEPTIVE

Theme: A time to Initiate a time to Respond

Aspect	#1 Creative Power / Initiating	#2 Natural Response / Responding
Situation
Symbolically	Double Heaven – the creative process.	Double Earth – unconditional support of all things.
Socially	This is the most auspicious time for the realization of creative impulses.	This is a time for loving devotion to and nurturing of all things good and evil.
Individually	One is poised to create change.	One is receptive to the world.
Response
Symbolically	Heavens move – time passes – change unfolds.	Earth doubles – space embraces all things.
Socially	It is time to create, lead, direct, force, inspire, act!	It is time to nurture, follow, respond, nurture, receive, observe!
Individually	This is the time to implement and achieve one’s vision through wise actions in tune with the needs of society.	This is a time to align oneself with others, remain true to oneself, and be receptive to what is occurring.
Outcome
Symbolically	Yang energy instigates the creation of things in time.	Yin energy nourishes, nurtures, and provides a home for things in space.
Socially	Peace and security through order and leadership.	Bountiful and fecund profusion of life.
Individually	One’s aims are achieved through skillfully timed initiative and leadership.	One finds guidance and success through receptiveness and openness.
The Lines
Top Line	Ambitions exceed ability – to proceed is to lose touch with reality.	If one attempts to seize control rather than serve, a violent clash will injure both parties.
5th	One’s actions are in accord with the cosmos:  thinking is clear and one’s influence will be great.	Be modest and discrete about one’s abilities – let one’s actions speak for themselves.
4th	One must exercise free will and choose to be either a hermit or a hero.	Whether in solitude or amongst others, avoid any prominence and maintain reserves during this dangerous time.
3rd	Others attach themselves hoping to share in one’s success – don’t be distracted by their aims.	Leave fame to others and focus on maturing one’s abilities naturally.
2nd	Align with one who is active in the field of your interest and whose conduct is above reproach.	Like Nature responding to Heaven, be submissive, straightforward, and upright to succeed.
Bottom Line	The time is not right to act openly – best to bide one’s time.	Heed the initial signs of decay and plan for coming change.
Recap
#1.  Ch’ien (Qian) / The Creative (Initiating) Ch’ien is the masculine principle – pure yang – pure Heaven – energy in motion – time. Six unbroken lines represent the light, penetrating, conceiving primal power of yang. Ch’ien is the dynamic process of Heaven that is beyond the ken of mortal man.  It is the cosmic spark that instigates change, creation, and time.  It is masculine vitality in contrast to feminine docility. This is a time when ideas spring forth, grow, mature and blossom with fruit, and endure through rejuvenation and continuity.  While the creative force exists within us all at all times, at this moment, one’s energies are aligned with the cosmos and great things are possible. Ideas become real through action.  Of course, the idea has to occur, which in itself is an act, albeit internal and one that creates something that is real only to the thinker until it is expressed.  Then it takes on a life of its own – to whither and die or flourish and seed further ideas.  Time is the means of making the potential, actual.  And, at certain times like this, the ability to actualize one’s ideas is never stronger. What action will you take?  Given the choices of hero or hermit, will you engage with society or disengage?  You freely choose one path or the other – either choice is correct if you are true to yourself.  You might choose to focus on the creation of one’s inner self through the pursuit of knowledge.  Perhaps you seek to explore the immutable laws and develop yourself so as to have an enduring influence through the sharing of that knowledge. Whether hermit or hero, strive to use the power of this time to do good for all of humanity.  Cast the seeds of your vision in fertile soil, nurture the growing ideas, harvest the ripe fruits, and sow the multiplying energies with wisdom. #2.  K’un / Earth.  (Responding) K’un is the feminine principle – pure yin – pure Nature – Earth – Space. Six broken lines represent the dark, yielding, receptive primal power of yin. K’un is the nurturing home – the mother of all living things that provides unconditional nourishment, security, and loving devotion.  It is feminine devotion in contrast to masculine leadership.  K’un is about exploring social phenomena in response and submission to heavenly will. Nature (yin) brings all things into space and form giving beauty to the creations of Heaven (yang).  K’un has the potential to create, but it must accept yang energy to produce – Heaven sows the seed and Earth brings forth the fruit. Doubling of Earth denotes the solidity and extension in space of that which supports and preserves all things.  Earth does so without judgment for all things good and evil are equal on the physical plane of existence.  This is a time to accept, submit to, and respond to the reality of the situation.  The individual acts in support not as the leader.  One conforms and follows.  When one willingly accepts the position of being led or guided by another, great freedom can result and great things can be accomplished. Reaction is still action.  Rather than confrontation, this is a time for strategic restraint and measured subtle use of receptive non-action.  Allow others to expend the energy, to lead, to take the risks, and to seize the glory while you hold on to your traditional values, familial interdependencies, and intuitive knowledge of what is good and important. Keep an open mind, be receptive to those close to you, and let yourself be guided by the dynamic process.

#1 - Ch'ien - The Creative / Heaven

#2 - K'un - The Receptive / Earth