The Perfect Storm of Political, Social and Environmental Crises
In 1991, three separate weather systems converged in the Atlantic Ocean to create 100 foot waves and hurricane force winds. Even though the storm was centered over the ocean, it still caused over $200 million in damage to the eastern coast of the United States, and claimed 12 lives. Individually, none of the three weather systems was particularly hazardous. When combined, however, the deadly result far exceeded the sum of its component parts. It came to be known as the “perfect storm.”
If we look at the world around us, we seem to be rapidly approaching another perfect storm, but this one will affect all of humanity. Instead of weather systems, it is composed of political, social and environmental crises. On the political front, there is a growing sense of divisiveness around the world. Racial profiling, hate crimes, and ethnic violence are all on the rise.
Environmental Crisis
On the environmental front, extreme weather patterns including tsunamis, hurricanes and droughts have killed hundreds of thousands of people in just the past few years. The predictions associated with global warming are alarming, our renewable resources are being consumed at a faster rate than they can be replaced, and an unprecedented number of species are becoming extinct due to loss of habitat.
Social Crisis
The social front is no better. We face epidemics of drugs, depression and suicide. The family structure has broken down, with almost 40% of American children growing up with only one parent in the home. The gap between rich and poor is steadily growing, while the middle class is shrinking.
Political Crisis
Politicians and government leaders work to resolve political crises; environmentalists proclaim solutions to environmental crises; and an army of psychologists, department heads, and sociologists come up with ways to solve our social crises. So why does everything just seem to get worse?
The Impact of Globalization on Our Economies and Societies
We are witnessing the impact of globalization on our economies and societies. Events in one country have a ripple effect across the world. Everything is so intricately intertwined that the solution to one problem may generate two or three other problems in seemingly unrelated areas. Take the current fuel crisis as an example. The search for alternative fuels with a reduced environmental impact led to the development of biodiesel. Now, however, it is obvious that biofuel is a significant contributor to the global food crisis because it diverts crops from food to fuel.
The Opposition Between the "Upper Nature" and Human Nature
The wisdom of Kabbalah predicted these events thousands of years ago. Sages tell us that there is an “upper nature,” a force enveloping the whole of reality with love. They explain that its purpose is to bring all elements of reality into balance and harmony. Man operates from a different and opposite nature to the “upper nature,” and thus brings about the imbalance in the world. Man seeks what is best for himself, even at the expense of others. In doing this, people become more and more egoistic and isolated from each other.
The Pressure Upon Humanity to Reach Balance with Nature
The force of nature, however, continues to pressure humanity to come into alignment with the balance of all other parts of creation. As man continues to view himself as more individualistic and separate, nature will increasingly force him to experience the interconnectedness of the world. The result is the complex crises of interconnected systems that we see today.
There is a solution, however. Kabbalah provides a method for humanity of learn the laws of nature and come into conformity with them. When we do that, we will also be a part of the harmony experienced by the rest of creation.
Related Material:
* Kabbalah Today Article: Mankind's Growing Hunger - The current food crisis has been declared a ‘silent tsunami’ in recent headlines. Kabbalah explains the root of the problem, and shows us how to avert this growing threat.
* Kabbalah Today Article: Global Warming - So What? - With the abundant information available to the mass public today, everyone knows about global warming and climate change. But as it turns out, knowing and caring do not always go hand in hand.
* Food Crisis: Rising Food Prices and the Meaning of Life - Questions and answers with Rav Michael Laitman, PhD on the food crisis.
* All as One: A New Level of Confidence and Power - We are understanding our common human oneness more and more at the same time as we are feeling it less and less. Why? What can we do about it?
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