Dear friends,
"And now for the news…
A common phrase but one, I am afraid, fraught with danger. It is entirely appropriate to know what is happening in the world around us. At the very least, a Democracy thrives on an educated public (one can hope, right?…! :-) ).
But for many, the news has become somewhat of an addiction, with negative consequences as harmful as any drug. If while you are reading or watching you often mentally repeat a phrase like “How can they…” or “What's wrong with them…” or "I can't believe they…” or you shake your head in disbelief or disgust, you are damaging yourself. To what end, I might ask.
In a way, the news is like gossip: Enticing, but usually about something over which you have no control. It used to be the case that news centers on network TV were run at a financial loss. The networks felt the public service aspect trumped the need for profits. But no longer! Now every news group must make money. But profits necessarily come from a large audience that stays engaged. So they now feel pressure to rile up viewers emotionally, as that’s the best way to get folks tuning in long and often. But like overstimulating oneself with drugs, coffee, harsh music, or anything else, it takes a toll on one’s psyche and mental health. My heart goes out to the bus crash victims in Peru (or wherever), but is that something I really need to know? Especially at the expense of my own joy and inner peace?
Yogananda talked about taking a “Worry Fast.” A wonderful idea. Or do as a friend of mine does, and just read the headlines. That’s enough to keep you abreast of what is going on. Or develop a wholly different attitude about the world around you. But stressing about the condition of the world serves no one.
If you had a large white sheet in front of you with a small several-inches black dot on it, you'd say it was a white sheet with a black dot. But if you stood with your eye right in front of that dot you’d think the sheet (the world) was black. Rather than hyper-focusing on the black dot, it can pay to step back a bit. How about at least adding good news to your diet, at least to balance all the junk food you may be reading? Many people start their day here to see what breaking news is good in the world. The major news outlets do not cover such things because they are not stimulating and addictive enough. Check it out and see if it puts a different spin on your day.
But in any event, what we take in mentally is at least as important as what we take in physically. People have generally become much more conscious about their diet, drinking, smoking, etc., but are perhaps still way too casual about what they absorb mentally all day long. Society’s general level of anxiety, worry, feelings of alienation and victimhood, and depression are at a high level and have been rising. What are we doing to counteract those feelings? The world is the way it is, but we alone are responsible for our own consciousness. May we become more aware of the “diet” we are subjecting ourselves to every day and take appropriate steps to do better at taking care of ourselves. That is also a great service to the planet.
Blessings,
David G., manager
For the Gang at East West