Youth addictions, suicide and lack of understanding of love vs. sex is prevalent in New Zealand and the world.
Though the first two issues are in reasonably obvious understanding for most people in the matter of love vs. sex I would like to clarify.
It has a relationship to unwanted teen pregnancy and poor understanding between males and females which leads to many relationship issues as well as other areas.
Many if not all of the solutions we have applied have failed us in solving this growing issue with the youth.
By failed I mean that though there might be a temporary decrease in the issue after the implementation of past solutions statistics show that later on there is a further increase.
The current solutions do work for some with positive and long term results though when you see the dramatic increases over a larger period of time we can see that the ratio of success is low.
If the figures for youth addictions and suicide are increasing over the last 10 years we can conclude that our current solutions are not solving the issues and getting to the root of what’s going on.
I believe that our current range of solutions like drug rehab centres, harsher penalties/laws from governmental systems and pharmaceuticals have failed us because of a poor understanding of the true nature of these issues. The nature of these issues is inextricably linked to a deeper understanding of our selves, mind and consciousness.
Now the solution I propose is metaphysical teachings which are not so much a doctrine to follow but rather a range of exercises that will help the individual learn for him or her self about the self.
We are not talking about religion or adding anything from previous knowledge. We can call this solution spiritual or a creative study if we like.
For clarification, religions have a set of beliefs by which if you live should benefit your life primarily in the areas of compassion, personal responsibility and integrity. Most also have a spiritual practise intertwined in the religion which aim should be to learn deeply about your self, the world/universe and what’s going on.
Funnily enough as one achieves success in a spiritual practise the by products are compassion, personal responsibility and integrity which is self revealing and does not need to be told to the individual through force/repetition or other forms of indoctrination.
Above I have shown through statements and linked articles that the issues exist and from personal experience, interaction with mothers, fathers, sons and daughters around the world many people possibly everyone has experience of these issues either first hand or through a connection in their personal network of relationships.
As one looks deeper into the three issues stated, they will start to notice that they are all linked.
The common denominator is the individual and his ability to be able to easily explore, appreciate, change and manage his own mind. A person that is capable of doing so exceedingly feels empowered and in control of life.
Next I will explore Mindfulness and briefly a couple of different spiritual practises that yield results.
My aim here is to show you that not only do these practises work, but they are simple and have long range and long term benefits and if implemented correctly and thoroughly would have a profound impact on the issues of youth addictions, suicide and love vs. sex.
The Buddhist practise of mindfulness has a long history and recently has become very popular and sort after as a solution to many problems that human beings face.
One of the champions of Mindfulness - Thích Nhất Hạnh a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk talks about mindfulness
This video from the BBC News
Network speaks volumes and puts scientific proof behind the practise.
Mindfulness is being developed for young and old alike, and it would be safe to say that even though we are looking at the issues with the youth, these issues affect the older generation as well who require support and help.
If we solve the issues with the youth they will be our next generation of healthy, positive and whole beings that might well be the turning point in the chaotic history of human kind.
One practise that I have had personal experience with has been the Avatar movement.
Their practise is very practical with very important skills and abilities learned one on one or by your self and the student is encouraged to do his own exploring and come to conclusions by himself. You can look for yourself at the results that people are having.
Shifts in mental issues like addictions, relationships are common and even physical changes.
Over the last 20 years we have seen what has been dubbed the Spiritual movement really take off. There have been positives and negatives in relationship to this which I feel is normal for any movement in growth heading towards maturity.
I perceive that it will undergo a massive shift in the next couple of years, clearing out the riff raff of practises, people and ideas coming into full bloom.
We may know of people in our lives that are turning to practises like Yoga, Buddhism, different healing modalities and other systems of self help from the greats like Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and Andrew Cohen to mention a few.
One metaphysics group I found of interest was The Institute of Noetic Sciences, founded by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell.
There are of course others turning to religious institutions which has been considered normal. Relating to my argument I would not include religions as part of my solution.
I don’t believe that more beliefs and dogma are the answers we are looking for rather practises that allow an individual to do true and honest looking and feeling into him or her self and their experience to get first hand experience instead of more intellectual knowledge of which there is an abundance of at this current time espeically with the advent of the internet.
The beauty of mindfulness or
other such spiritual/metaphysical practices are that they don’t try to or impinge on a
persons choosen religion unless the person them selves decide to make changes
through changes in their viewpoints and perspectives.
There is a wonderland of new studies showing positive to amazing results, new and old approaches coming to the forefront.
In fact the more you look for your self you will find that what I have called metaphysical teachings are becoming more common to the point that they are being accepted by the universities, businesses and the medical system.
The idea that this is the solution that will reduce youth addictions, suicide and give understanding to love vs. sex is a very real solution that is it being looked into and implemented heavily at this time, the results are there for all to see who look.
I my self know the workings and the results of this from personal experience engaging with these practises to solve my own problems and helping others with the skills and abilities I have received.
I hope this blog has given you some perspective on not just the major issues that youth here in New Zealand and the world are facing but the amazing change in the direction of solutions that I believe will change the world for the better.
There is a wonderland of new studies showing positive to amazing results, new and old approaches coming to the forefront.
In fact the more you look for your self you will find that what I have called metaphysical teachings are becoming more common to the point that they are being accepted by the universities, businesses and the medical system.
The idea that this is the solution that will reduce youth addictions, suicide and give understanding to love vs. sex is a very real solution that is it being looked into and implemented heavily at this time, the results are there for all to see who look.
I my self know the workings and the results of this from personal experience engaging with these practises to solve my own problems and helping others with the skills and abilities I have received.
I hope this blog has given you some perspective on not just the major issues that youth here in New Zealand and the world are facing but the amazing change in the direction of solutions that I believe will change the world for the better.
References
Youtube Video
MindfulnessExtended (2011,
September 28) Thich Nhat Hanh What is Mindfulness. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD7i6VUOriI
Word Document
Mental Health Commission
(2011, August) Child and youth mental health and addiction. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from
http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hdc.org.nz%2Fmedia%2F199053%2Fchild%2520and%2520youth%2520mental%2520health%2520and%2520addiction.doc&ei=mrGPUfrpF62RigeD-4CgCQ&usg=AFQjCNEpXSQPov9sxmkkXT3c1p-XK6vnmw&sig2=Gq47WxTUsS1SUGGMqeVlPQ
Webpage
The Holistic Education Trust
(no date) NZ Youth statistics. Retrieved
May 12, 2012, from http://journeytobrilliance.com/nz_youth.html
Webpage
The Free Dictionary by
Farlex (no date) Defintion of Metaphysics.
Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/metaphysics
Webpage
The University of Maryland
School of Medicine (2011, October 13) Spirituality. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/spirituality-000360.htm
Webpage
Prifysgol Bangor University
(2012, January 4) Research on effectiveness of Mindfulness reaches conclusion
phase. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from
http://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/full.php.en?nid=6311&tnid=6311
Youtube Video
OxfordMindfulness (2012,
April 20) Mindfulness on BBC Breakfast.
Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMsUGB_KV7s
Webpage
Star's Edge Inc (no date)
What is Avatar. Retrieved May 12, 2012,
from http://www.avatarpacific.com/
Webpage
Star's Edge Inc (no date)
Personal Stories & Insights From Avatar Students. Retrieved May 12, 2012, from
http://www.avatarresults.com/
Webpage
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (no date) What are the Noetic Sciences?
Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://noetic.org/about/what-are-noetic-sciences/
Webpage
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (no date) What are the Noetic Sciences?
Retrieved May 12, 2012, from http://noetic.org/about/what-are-noetic-sciences/
Much better :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps mention some other / existing solutions too? Could be good to give a rounded view, and also they can support your argument, as some solutions might work better combined with what you are proposing
A great start!
Hi Pranay, Nick here form class, read your blog on the 11 of May cool start with great ideas I cant wait to see more and how you will portray the topic. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteKindest Regards Nick :)
Hi Pranay, Its Nick Baker from your class I’m reading your Blog on the 13th of May. Great stuff Brother just really great. Very clear content and informative. The visuals and videos really helped and the hyperlinks lead to good sources. The only things I have to say is the Blog covers the introduction of Metaphysics and the organizations really well. But it was hard to see as reader the link of the current mental form to the changed form. Once the individual becomes a responsible and self sufficient entity how will this change lead to being improved. Also a bit of devils advocate do you see anything trying to stop the spiritual movement any great challenges it face maybe materialism or the concept of the collective pain body would these be a concern during the spiritual movement take off. Those things I needed to think hard on but just minor I know the topic well its not something you can truly explain only experience. You did a great job, Thanks for the great Blog.
ReplyDeleteKindest Regards
Nick Baker:)
Hi Nick, thanks for your comments. If I understand your question correctly starting from line 5-7 what does the finished individual look like after the training? Yes I could have made that more obvious and expanded on it a little. Having a more personally responsible, compassionate and in integrity being is the overall to which a person can extrapolate outcomes but I can see that it could of been expanded on. It is suppose to produce individuals that are self determined, wise and in control of their lives that more often than not do the right thing by feeling instead of thinking.
DeleteThe great challenges of the spiritual movement are already upon us. I pointed towards this with the comment - "I perceive that it will undergo a massive shift in the next couple of years, clearing out the riff raff of practises, people and ideas coming into full bloom."
There is a lot of crap out there, people who have used the spiritual banner to deceive, harm and just make money with a lack of integrity. People with poor understanding making important things like crystals and spiritual practices a joke, taking away the reverence of these objects and practices.
This I feel is part of the process however due to the nature of consciousness in the past. It will pass.
The movement I feel is connected to the nature, if you would like to use the reference of the the pain body then we as a race have been working through it for quite sometime and I believe have made some major shifts and are still to make some more.
Materialism to me is just the act of creating out of control due to a lack of integrity. There is nothing wrong with creating.
We do it to put things outside of our selves and forget to look were it comes from. We know more about the stuff out here and nothing of great importance about the stuff inside of us.
I hope this helped some in your questions.
I agree with you about the idea metaphysical teaching is very effective. Religion are actually great stuff, I had lots of sad experience in my teen life, I went to school counselors for so many times, but my mood is still very low. I was in depression state for about half a year, and that feels like hell. It is not the physically hurt, but the heart injuries, psychological pains. Recently I found Buddhism and I had learn a lot I feel that I don't need to go to counselors any more:) I think counseling is only about at that period of time you feel better, then after a few days you are down again. But a religion can change a person, it has lifelong effects.
ReplyDeleteReligion is not bad or good, I like to simply look at its usefulness in developing a whole being that is self determined and can think and act deliberately. That may sound easy but if you take 2 minutes I can show you that its not the case.
DeleteSit down and put your hands on your lap. Now before you make a movement tell your self that you are going to do that and then once you have decided do it.
i.e. I am going to stand up - person stands up.
Now notice anything else you did before, during and after. Did you finger move without your say so? Did you smile as you stood up? Did you think shit I smiled? :)Notice everything you did apart from what you said you were going to do.
Now decide to stop doing, say out loud if you want or to your self the action you did without say so, do it, stop and continue.
This is a simple but basic exercise that will show you how much deliberate control you have of your mind and body.
Buddhism is lovely, I do not subscribe to any one religion however. I see that Buddhism has many useful practices that if done well will have amazing results for a person. The teachings of Buddhism come from the realizations of its practices. It is much better to realizes it for your self than to memorize doctrine no matter how wonderful they are.
Gandhi gave a good quote on this, - be the change you want to see in the world.
The only way to be the change is to become it through practices that will transform your relationship with the mind, body and life.
Be happy and well.
Hi Pranay - This is all very interesting and I have enjoyed learning about your points of view, but what is your argument exactly? Metaphysical teachings vs. what? I don't mean to sound harsh but just trying to remain objective - as far as I can tell from this blog, it is explaining a possible solution to a problem, not debating both sides of an argument andultimately proving one side to be stronger.
ReplyDeleteThe way you have phrased your blog title "Metaphyical teachings WILL reduce youth addiction, suicide and understanding of love verses sex" is a statement, not a question. You have not allowed yourself to be impartial and objectively analyse two opposing sides, perhaps because you are too close/personally involved with the subject.
To create a valid argument, you would need to look at how these teaching WOULDN'T reduce addiction etc. as well, and then conclude that the evidence for was stronger than that against. I imagine that would be difficult to do, so perhaps this was not a suitable topic for a debate...
I hope you don't take offence, by no means am I intending to undermine the power of the metaphysical teachings you have described. I even think I would probably benefit from exploring them. I just don't think this blog has been structured as a debate, evenly weighing pros and cons. I hope you can see where I'm coming from.
Hi Rose,
DeleteThanks for your comments. Yes this critical writing is quite an art isn't it.
From my understanding which may need expansion we are debating one side of the topic strongly as the view we are supporting not being even in our approach so it may be up to the opposing view which normally exists to fight his own side on the matter..
The other side in my work is the other solutions like drug rehab centers, harsher penalties/laws from governmental systems and pharmaceuticals and since they have been implemented the rate of the issues has increased.
I feel I could have been clearer on this however, expanded a little :)
Maybe I could structure it differently? I was shown to be on the right track so didn't consider what you have brought up.
Thanks for bringing these points up, its very interesting.
Especially how these teaching wouldn't reduce addiction, in my experience the only way they wouldn't is if the person did not take on the practices in which case he/she is not willing or ready to change.
If the practice is implemented before the issues arise however (in the younger generation - primary onward) the person would not exhibit the same issues because of their understanding and experience, its doesn't mean that they wouldn't try drugs for example but would have a much better handle on them selves and would not become addicts.
Yes very interesting, thank you very much.