The power to change yourself

Having traveled outside the US for the past 18 months, I've become increasingly pessimistic over the prospects of humanity, to survive the next 100 years. No government, no entity, no deity, no demon, no corporation, no community has what it takes to 'solve' large-scale problems such as global warming, habitat destruction, terrorism, poverty, threat of pandemics etc. I feel it is naive to assume such problems can be addressed in time to stave off planetary collapse.

In the meantime, what is a humanitarian to do? I've realized that the least I can attempt to do is elevate my consciousness to be a better thinker, feeler, lover, parent, citizen and hope that some of this rubs off on people I interact with - who maybe inclined to then undertake a similar personal transformation.

Be the change that you want to see in the world. Truer words were never spoken.

The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)

From the false, lead me to the truth
From darkness, lead me to light
From death, lead me to immortality
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
- From the Brihad-aranyaka Upanishad

The essence of every human being is what Emerson called the Oversoul, which is our true Self — universal, all-encompassing, and blissful, the source of all knowledge and of cosmic consciousness.

The person who is in touch with this essence is confident without arrogance and tolerant without weakness; is efficient and economical in actions and immediate and deep in understanding; is undismayed in all circumstances and at home everywhere.

These possibilities lie within everyone, obscured by assumed limitations of body, senses, mind, and heart. This concept of the unity of all is Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual philosophy of self.