Dear DK

For Friedman to have declared the world is flat was premature. He saw the train far off, and declared it had arrived in the station.

The world as a whole is now suffering from great shifts in the distribution of resources of all kinds, at the same time that pressure on resources has increased, due to unchecked population growth and unenlightened management policies. These forces have always been in play. Their magnitude has increased recently. And constraints have been removed, or have broken down, in many areas. Increased chaos is the result, predictably.

Those of us who have more have a responsibility to those who don't. We must help reduce their suffering, even as our own discomfort increases. The world is moving towards flatness, though it's not there yet.

love, h

Yes, and I am going to take that responsibility.

At this moment cars and aeroplanes in my view are the ones that pollute the most and now they have even caused a food crisis.

And do you see any decrease in driving or flying?
No. But it will take some time before we really do have cleaner energy. During that time I believe transport should be reduced to half of it.

I cannot understand that the very persons talking about climate change and CO-2 reduction are the same ones that constantly fly around telling others what to do about it. Even spiritual leaders do nothing other than travel around the world in an aeroplane to tell others how they breath their molecules. I wonder how polluted those molecules are.

I am going to build walkable labyrinths in our country in nature. Many people in our country, certainly my generation, love to walk and bike. More and more walking and biking paths are made to encourage this. Walkable labyrinths will bring them back even more to nature and they are very soothing, both physically and spiritually.

Love, Mieke

Quote from the article:
Since we do not have 2.4 planets worth of natural resources how are 100s of millions of people across the world going to copy Western lifestyles in terms of equivalent car ownership, electric machines, non-stop shopping, and frequent holidays? We only have one planet's worth of resources. Has the time come to realise that despite the best access to modern technology, which is supposed to increase efficiency significantly, 6.4 billion people may yet have to modify their expectations for what can be safely delivered by this one world? We have to learn to consider the consequences of, "A world that may NOT be flat after all!" - unquote

The solution is to realize our true needs, which are very simple and in complete harmony with the planet. The hystery of blaming ourselves and each other, of pulling in and cutting off, of minimizing consumption through clenched teeth... it's all so unnecessary and leads to more turmoil and no real solution.

The solution is found in calm and quiet. When we quiet down, we notice that the needs of a human being involve fresh air, clean water, nourishing food, meaningful work, connection to others, creative expression. We do not need more, we need just enough. There is enough for everyone, if everyone calms down and realizes that. Solutions are at our fingertips, but we need to shift from the hysterical fighting created by the perspective of lack, to the clarity and efficiency of knowing that there is enough.

-There is enough food on our planet. If we wake up from our desperate fighting we can calmly distribute it evenly
- there is enough water on our planet. If we wake up from the fighting, we can use all technical procedures existing and perfect new ones to assure global access.
- there is... more than enough... energy on our planet. If we stop fighting, we will find ways to make it accessible for everyone
- we have all the time in the world. If we realize it, we will calm down even more and take more holidays, so we can think more calmly and clearly, act more effectively and create a new life of simplicity, joy and ease for everyone.

This process is already happening, through many minds that have calmed down. Did you know that the first car running on air will be running on the streets of Europe early next year? Nontoxic airplane fuel is being developed. And there are many, many practical solutions emerging, and many will follow if we can only realize there is no shortage, and instead of fighting, start giving from our abundance instead.

The ingrained coldness that there is not enough Love to go round is only turned around by our individual hearts opening. The synchronicity of Global Warming speaks volumes to me as I interpret its message. Love moves beyond the speed of Light. OO
The fruit of the Tree of Oneness has grown ripe as good and evil blend into a single richness beyond all dreaming.

Gird up your loins!!

Love,
Ed.

Well, I wish everybody a lot of luck with wishful thinking about all that is supposedly going to change by itself.

Après nous la déluge.

I am already leading a wonderful blissful life and the less I think and read the more blissful it will be.

But at the same time I am going to take care of the fact that there are already too many "fat" people in our country and in the world. Not due to food alone but also to the way many people transport themselves. And the older one gets the more difficult it will be to get that off by fitness training alone.

Walking and biking in nature along the lanes has always been one of the most healthiest sports in life. And walking a labyrinth is bliss in itself because before you know it you are dancing it. And what is more fun than dancing through life?

All the best to all and have a real nice sunny day.

Mieke

Yo, Meike, It is much easier, for me anyway, to open my heart when just walking for the moment.
I've never much wanted to be in this world with all its speedy accoutriments. Some call me a dreamer and at the next time ask my practical help with their gardens!
Of course, change will happen, by ourselves, not itself, seeking authenticity, then leading by example. Itself waits in the wings to be ourself.

You seem to have made a pretty good start and let me say, I've walked many a happy hill and dale with Dutch friends all following on from one surprise and loving convergence in the Highlands of Scotland in a bothy on a rainswept night!

Hey there Ed

"The fruit of the Tree of Oneness has grown ripe as good and evil blend into a single richness beyond all dreaming."

I've got a good blender on my kitchen counter that I mix everything but the sink. Maybe I need to through in the sink.

And a big Amen to Aurora and Mieke. The fat and 'phat' days are over. Lean and green is the new cool. Flat is in. Balance is always in the middle.

With the internet and video streaming the need for world leaders to travel should slow down.

Less is more my grand-mother always said.

derek

Sounds like some wicked blender you have, Derek ;) Is it the sort they use on demolition sites?

May as well blend a few sploons while ur at it :)

That an individual can influence the entire world from their basement makes the world very flat in the context that is being used.

I also would not qualify it as a fair playing field.