<\/p>\n","post_title":"How Do I Keep a Positive Mind Toward the Future?","post_excerpt":"There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. ","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"how-do-i-keep-a-positive-mind-toward-the-future","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-12-02 20:40:57","post_modified_gmt":"2024-12-03 01:40:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14332","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":16},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_37"};
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n
People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n
People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n
People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n
People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The history of human civilization is about 10,000 years old. Throughout history, various civilizations held power at different points of time. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptian civilization, the Aegean civilization, the Greek civilization, and the Roman civilization all rose and fell. It is the same with our modern civilization. It will eventually fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why you see a lot of negativity about the future. The biggest problems we see are environmental issues. As you mentioned, there are a lot of problems, such as nuclear arms, diseases, viruses, and food shortages. Any civilization will ultimately fall, but then we also see the start of a new civilization. Therefore, when human beings become extinct, a new species will arise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you look back in history, even among human beings there have been many different types of humans over the millennia. We are\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>.\u00a0Homo sapiens<\/em>\u00a0are only about 150,000 years old. We have been the main drivers of civilization for about 40,000 years. If you look at it from the Earth\u2019s point of view, it\u2019s a very short time. So you should not look at the world with a short-term view.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want this world, this civilization in which we live, to last a little longer, we do have to change our lifestyles\u2014the way we live. First, we need to re-examine our concept of a \u201cgood\u201d life as defined by mass production and consumption. Unless we overcome this consumption-driven paradigm, we will soon run out of resources. Then there will be competition for those diminishing resources, and nations will end up going to war. Also, if we keep consuming at this rate, the resulting trash and waste will cause more environmental problems and change the climate. That\u2019s why we need to overcome this consumption-driven paradigm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cgood\u201d life is defined by increased consumption in advanced economies, and people in less-developed countries will follow this lead. Currently, there are about 1.2 billion people whose per-capita GDP US$20,000 or more. Note that our environment is already in dire straits even with this relatively small number of people with high consumption. About 5.8 billion of the world\u2019s population are below this level of income and consumption, and are following behind.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is coming in fast on our heels: that accounts for 1.4 billion people. China has a larger population than all of the OECD countries combined. Then, you have India; that\u2019s 1.2 billion people. India is following fast on our heels as well. You don\u2019t have to be an expert to see this. If we go on the way we are going now, the Earth\u2019s environment cannot be sustained.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can already see the end of the current civilization, but we can\u2019t stop this. We are all worried about where this train is heading, but we don\u2019t change the way we live. So we have a choice: we can keep on living as we do now and destroy ourselves in the process, or we can change direction. It\u2019s not somebody else\u2019s problem; it\u2019s our problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being pessimistic, we need to start changing the values that drive our lives. We must be fully confident in believing that simply earning more and spending more is not a good life. For example, smokers look for better cigarettes. Drinkers look for better spirits. But no matter how good the quality of the cigarette you smoke or the spirit you drink, it\u2019s better not to smoke or drink at all. You have to firmly believe that, so no matter how much Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith consume, if it\u2019s not a good thing, you shouldn\u2019t follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first question to ask yourself is: can you exercise such self-discipline? Try it for yourself. If you are able to do so, your neighbour might be able to do so as well. Then you can start expanding this movement. You have to take action because just worrying doesn\u2019t change anything. Instead of wasting your time worrying, use that time to make the effort to change the way you live, and then share your positive experiences with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, perhaps, you may be able to help transform this civilization a little bit and extend its life, albeit by a little. All we can do is try our best. That\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are going through some hardship and you encounter an even bigger problem, you suddenly realize that the original hardship wasn\u2019t that bad. You say to yourself, \u201cIt was pretty good back then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re having a good time but later it gets even better, you think, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t all that good earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Circumstances are not good or bad. They just seem different depending on your perspective on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"According to Your Perspective","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"according-to-your-perspective","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-20 18:14:46","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-20 23:14:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14384","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14380,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-13 17:18:22","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:22","post_content":"\n
People with lots of worries create a train of thought about the past and future. That is why you need to be awake to the here and now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What others think of you is not important. \u201cI\u201d is important. Be mindful of the here and now solely as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"Be Awake to the Here, Now and Me","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"be-awake-to-the-here-now-and-me","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-13 17:18:23","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-13 22:18:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14380","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14347,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 16:27:28","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:28","post_content":"\n
When you renew your mind, every day becomes a new day and the beginning of a new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day you are free from suffering and become happy is a new day. I wish you would cultivate your happiness and find every day is a new day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Pomnyun -<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Illustration by Maseol <\/p>\n","post_title":"New Year Greeting","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"new-year-greeting","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-01-03 16:27:30","post_modified_gmt":"2023-01-03 21:27:30","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/?p=14347","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":14332,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2023-01-03 14:12:34","post_date_gmt":"2023-01-03 19:12:34","post_content":"\n
Q. Lately, whenever we hear about what will happen in the future, it is often bad news. For example, we hear about global warming, rising sea levels, a growing income gap between the rich and the poor, war, starvation, and diseases.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel that any news we hear about future trends is always negative, so I cannot help but feel pessimistic in my outlook about the future. This is not stopping me from trying to live a happy life, but I cannot help feeling bad for future generations. I am not talking about only the next generation, but those down the line as well. I feel like we are leaving them a world that is no better than the one that we inherited. So,\u00a0 my question for you is how do you keep a positive outlook toward the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
VPS:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes, what you say is true. There are a lot of negative predictions about the future. So is this a singular phenomenon that is happening only in the present? I am sure it was the same way in the past. The people of the current generation always worry about the future of their children. When those children grow up, they will be pessimistic about the future and worry about the future of their own children. This has always been true throughout history, from generation to generation, but humankind has continued to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/photo_2023-01-03_13-21-10-758x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/photo_2023-01-13_14-14-03-759x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.jungtosociety.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/photo_2023-01-20_15-07-29-759x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n