It's that time of year again! Oct. 16th and 17th.
Our chance to peacefully express our desires that our nations hold true to their word that we will eradicate poverty by 2015.
Anybody can create a Stand Up event in their area!
http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/create-an-event
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15 comments:
Ra Chel, it is not economy which is the root cause of poverty, it is philosophy of thousands of years.
Religion says help the poor but never says a word about removing poverty. Islam and Christianity never made any attempt to remove slavery.
Hinduism promotes poverty inequality and slavery.
Buddhism advises every one to become poor. a very absurd idea.
We are standing on thousands of years of absurdity.
poverty cannot be eradicated in another eight years. It is not possible even if all the six billion plus people of the world suddenly become saints over night.
There is a simple solution.
Hands off.
don't touch the earth.
Allow it to heal itself
the connected issues of racism, slavery war greed everything will be solved automatically. It will take another thousand years.
Forest fires are necessary for regeneration.
We humans need to go extinct for the earth to heal itself.
We deserve to go extinct. We are happily marching towards extinction with all our absurd ideas.
It's a nice intention. But I dunno, it seems to put poverty at a very long arm's length. It objectifies it. And it seems like it might be to help wealthy people like us (wealthier than 98% of the world's pop.) feel better. Jesus said "the poor you will always have with you." I don't know what he meant. I don't think he meant that he WANTED the poor to stay poor.
Don't get me wrong. I want to see hungry people fed and kept warm. I don't know, this just feels so institutional.
But I don't know anything Rachel. I'm ignorant, and I hope many, many hungry boys and girls will be fed, and more importantly, that capable adults will find ways to earn a living and gain self respect.
Ruth and Ra Chel,
Even if all the rich people, all the singers collect a thousand billian dollar and spend towards removing poverty is of absolutely no help at all. People will remain poor, Poverty will continue.
We have to remove the poverty from their minds. We have to remove inferiority from their minds.
Why do they feel they are inferior?
This racial inferiority was created thousands of years ago with different philosophies.
We have to make them feel equal. Which is never possible.
Ruth, you know my condition my poverty but you very well know that i feel i am the richest person in the world. My wealth comes from the knowing people like you. Its all in the head.
Money and possessions have very little to do with poverty.
This whole thing is a mystery to me, RK. I don't understand it. I don't like it. I see what Rauf says and hear where he's coming from. But I don't think we are to do nothing, knowing that world philosophies will not change that quickly or ever. Maybe our part is to do what we can for those who have ears to hear.
I agree that wealth is a state of being, a state of grace, a state of appreciation. As I am immersed in a giant shopping mall, I do not see rich people, I see slaves. Slaves to their jobs that they fought so hard for, that are not what they really want, but are better than what others have. I see people settling for what they can get, not manifesting what they really want.
So, Rauf, I absolutely agree with you. It starts in the mind. And that is the reason why so many people in the world who are, what may be considered poor, extremely happy. Because if you were to ask them if they have everything they need, they would say yes... beautiful family, beautiful community, the earth, gratitude.
Those who do not live in a state of gratitude are always wanting more.
I believe that poverty can be addressed and healed in 7 more years. We have the food and technology available right now to make it possible tomorrow. But, it will only happen if that is the focus, that is the intention behind our thoughts and our actions.
When we think it is not possible, our thoughts become an obstacle. We are powerful co-creators. I do not think that government organizations and corporations should be responsible for the change- I believe it should be the intention of eliminating poverty manifested in every single one of us. It is time for people to realize their true creative potential, and the days of big corporations preventing people from doing this is drawing to a close. Individuals Standing Up for what they desire is a first step in the process of creating and manifesting what they desire. It is movement in the direction of change, it is a pebble that creates a far-reaching ripple.
We do not need to be extinct to heal the earth. We need to focus our energy and intent on healing the earth- we are spiritual and psychic beings and have far greater healing potential than we give ourselves credit for. Once we allow our true nature to manifest itself, we may spontaneously heal anything.
Will it require life-style changes, yes! The life-style changes of everyone, including the poor! Seven years is ample time for people to transform, as long as that transformation starts now.
Every cell in our body is replaced with new ones several times a year. These new cells are blank canvases. They will perform based on our intent. If we intend to sit around and do nothing, then that is what are cells will gladly do for us. If we intend to heal the earth, our cells will engage in this activity effortlessly.
The real poverty here is the helpless feeling that we don't have the power to make the world the beautiful place we want it to be. Start by envisioning the world healthy, healthy people living in harmony with the earth, clean technology. If you can imagine it, you can create it.
Ra Chel, i have heard philosophers talking through their hats, i have seen people looking at poverty on TV screens and through their glass windows. They do not know what they are talking about.
And Ra Chel, you do not know what you are talking about.
Its easy to talk without experience.
Like you there are millions who are ready to throw money and write cheques to remove poverty.
i appreciate their efforts. But that does not solve the problem.
There are thousands of Indians who are ready to help. But are they ready to treat the poor and the untouchables as their equals ?
No
Money and efforts to help the untouchables and the poor would sure benifit them. But they cannot remove the social stigma which they have been carrying for thousands of years.
Good samaritan and religious racists are willing to write a cheques to remove poverty. They are willing to send shiploads of food, they have been sending actually from last 50 years as aid. It hasn't changed the situation one bit. Poor are becoming poorer and the rich richer.
They can make more money if the poor have the buying power when the poverty is removed. More business for them. But it is not happening.
The poor in India too believe in their fate, they believe in the theory of Karma which was created by the elite for their own benifit and convenience. The untouchable lives in the hope of being reborn as a higher caste member of the society and he dies with this dream. the higher caste have cheap bonded labour garbage and shit removers for ever. How convenient !
you can't see it because you don't experience it Ra Chel. This untouchable belives that his past karmas are the reason for his misery and happily and willingly carrys garbage, cowdung and shit on his head.
Ra Chel, i pity you for following this philosophy, which is nothing but a convenient lie.
From past 30 years i have spent most of my time with these unfortunate people. i have no money to give, to remove poverty.
What i give them is respect. By removing my shoes before i enter their huts, sitting with them and eating the food they cook for me in their vessels. i have recieved their love and trust in return. i have given them nothing else.
they don't want money. the lazy can come out of their laziness and make money. they don't want money.
they want to be respected.
which they will never get from the society, because of thousands of years of absurd philosophy we followed. Similar tribal inferiority in African countries as well.
You have not understood the problem at all Ra Chel.
Its easy to talk. its easy to dream.
Rachel, please look at this post today about Gandhi, in honor of his birthday today:
http://lightofrose.blogspot.com/2007/10/remembering-gandhi.html
I think there is something to this thing rauf is saying. Without walking 10,000 miles in the shoes of the poor, as Gandhi did, what will the efforts do actually? I don't think it's a matter of doing nothing, as if that's the answer. I don't think rauf is saying that, but I won't speak for him. And I don't think it's about sending negative energy out to hamper the hope and possibilities.
Programs feel good. That list of goals feels good. Thinking items will be checked off feels good. How wonderful that would feel, if each of the 8 goals was achieved.
I think it takes very close attention to find understanding in this. I'm not even close. I just feel that the idea of a "quick fix" is more for us to feel better. We feel empowered in the US. We feel we can do anything. The American Dream is a powerful entity. A lot can get done. I just wonder if this kind of campaign is the most effective.
I saw the movie stars on the ad for this shortly after you posted this. It got my heart, pulled me in, made me want to believe it. There is a lot of power when celebrities put their energy into something. I feel the momentum. But then when I hear rauf's perspective, someone who has walked in poverty and walked with the impoverished, made a life study of these issues, I have to listen to him. I have to listen to Gandhi. Not to be discouraged from doing what I can. Rather to change my own mind about it and be a prayer. Live it.
I don't know anything. I'm thinking out loud.
I have many thoughts, but first of all, when I look at the people of have actually participated in Stand Up, the majority of the people have been from other countries, not America. American's are not taking actions. I am not sure where all of this money and food is coming from, because I don't know anyone on my street who is trying to make a difference, do you?
More thoughts later...
Sweet Ra Chel,
it is not my intention to hurt you
i just don't want you do be disillusioned about life and living.
Thank you, Rauf. I understand that you would not share such challenging concepts with me if you do not care. I find it quite an honor that you have chosen to engage with me on this level, truly aspiring to help me to be enlightened. Your ideas are extremely provocative and attempting to answer the important questions in life and engaging in these discussions with you serve me very well.
Thank you Ra Chel, i am not making any attemt to impose my ideas on you. i do not entertain myths and fantasies. i speak facts. Nor do i indulge in philosophies.
Ra chel i am very frank with you and i may use harsh words like a father, becase i care for you.
Please sit with a calm mind and ponder.
Karma and removing poverty is one humongous contradiction.
It is the belief in Karma which created caste system and poverty.
How easy is it to make people give up their belief, faith and religion ? Is it possible ?
Do you think i do not want to remove poverty ? i would be the first person to join your campaign.
i dream of a world without racism, exploitation and injustice. A world where all are treated equally. first is equality and respect. This can happen only when natural order is restored. The complete management in the hands of female species. Women have to take charge. All major religions have ignored one vital fact. This planet is run and managed by female species.
yes i forgot Ra Chel. in rest of the world racism is one of the causes of poverty. We have the worst kind of racism in India, racism is religion here. There are superior and inferior tribles in Africa and Arabian countries. Their society stands the foundations of racism.
Aunt Ruth, I apologize, I forgot to thank you for reminding me of Ghandi's B-Day and referring me to Mystic Rose's blog.
Rauf, the work that you do on your blog is an important step in ending poverty. You are already on the campaign simply by living the truth.
Words get in the way of truth sometimes, so I really like the quote of a heart without words being more important than words without a heart. Words are not for sissies. If we are going to use them, we must be prepared for the consequences!
Not sure if you know but the results are in! Over 38.8 million people, in 110 countries have broken the Guinness World Record – set last year at 23.5 million - for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY” in 24 hours.
Yes, that is wonderful:D
Thanks for sharing the news... how on Earth did you land upon this blog?
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