Critical Thinking: Can Someone Save The Planet By Feeling Bad?

It is not uncommon for the media to share information about what is happening in the oceans and what certain animals are going through. This type of information can be found on social media too.
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From what is going on around the world, it is perfectly clear that a lot of harm is being done to the planet. Based on the information that is presented, it would then be easy to conclude that it will only be a matter of time being human beings kill mother earth.

Another View

However, another way of looking at it would be to say that there is a greater chance of the planet no longer being inhabitable than there is of it dying. Mother earth will then wipe out her children long before she allows her children to wipe her out.

Alternatively, she could just wipe out a large segment of the population through a few environmental catastrophes. Once this has happened, it will allow the rebuilding process to take place.

The Response

Everything could then settle down and after quite some time, the same process could take place all over again. Just like in the past, perhaps new civilisations will appear and go on to make the same mistakes as the previous ones.

Then again, it could be very different further down the line; that’s if the predictions in the Bhagavata Purana are to be believed. It has been said that the planet is currently in the Kali Yuga cycle, the age of darkness, and that a new age will begin before long.

A Strong Reaction

When someone comes across a story on social media or hears about something from the media, it could end up having a big effect on them. At first, they could end up feeling angry and guilty and after a while, they could feel sad and ashamed.

There is then going to be the damage that is being done out there and there is going to be the damage that is being done within hem. This is because one is going to end up beating themselves up.

Two Problems

So now, not only will there be just what is going on externally that needs to be attended to, there will be something within them that also needs to be resolved. Undoubtedly, one is not going to make the world a better place by engaging in self-flagellation.

The only thing it will do is cause them to send out negative energy and to feel bad about themselves. And if the planet does absorb energy, is the planet going to improve by picking up more negativity?

A More Sensible Approach

Instead of one beating themselves after hearing about what is going on, it would be far better for them to look into what they can do to actually make a difference. Getting angry and even feeling guilty can give them the fuel that they need to get themselves moving.

Yet, if they experience too much guilt and even shame, it can end up immobilising them. Conversely, through being consumed by their emotions, they could end up pointing the finger at others and do very little to change the world.

A Big Difference

There is then the difference between something being pointed out and someone doing something about it, and something being pointed out and someone drowning in their own self-loathing. When it comes to what they can actually do to make a difference, it may involve changing how they eat and taking part in local projects to protect the environment.

But, like with most things in life, there is likely to be only so much that they can do. Having said that, if they were to use the internet to create videos or to write articles about what can be done to make a difference, for instance, they will have far more influence that they would otherwise.

An Easy Target

If someone does find that they have tendency to fall down emotionally when they hear about what is going on and to beat themselves up, it could show that they are carrying a fair amount of guilt and shame. One is then going to be in a position where they already feel as though they are bad, which is why they are so willing to beat themselves up when they come across this type of information.

One is then going to be unconsciously looking for things that will allow them to experience these feelings as this is what will be familiar, with what is familiar being classed as what is safe to the ego mind. Deep down, then, one is going to be emotionally attached to experiencing these feelings.

An Identity

Consciously, these feelings are going to cause them to feel bad and this will cause them to suffer. Yet, even though this part of them will resist what is going on, a bigger part of them will feel comfortable with it.

To this part of them, experiencing these feelings will be seen as part of who they are, as opposed to just feelings that they experience. Therefore, until they are no longer attached to feeling this way, their inner world is unlikely to change.

Early On

Perhaps they were brought by caregivers who were verbally abusive, for instance, which would have caused one to see themselves as worthless. These experiences would have caused them to feel comfortable with feeling bad.

The verbal abuse that they received from these people would have become internalised, with a critical inner voice gradually being formed within them. Their own aggression is then going to be directed at them, leading to self-harm.

Conclusion

If one can relate to this, and they are ready to change their life, they may need to reach out for external support. This is something that can be provided by the assistance of a therapist or a healer.

As for feeling bad, it could be said that that does about as much good for the planet as feeling good does; it is what someone does that counts. Ones feelings can motivate them but they can also just distract them from doing anything worthwhile.

Another trap is that one can take action, believing that they are doing the right thing, only for what they do to cause more harm than good. This shows how vital it is for someone to be able to step back and to reflect, so that they can question their own motives and look into the effect that their behaviour is having.