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Past, Present and Future Dangers From Self Delusions

by Michael Levy(more info)

listed in personal growth, originally published in issue 167 - February 2010

Four hundred years ago, in Hamlet, the Shakespearean character Polonius remarked,
"To thine own self be true."


Over eons of time, numerous individually contrived P_erceptions, I_deas, T_houghts and S_uggestions have fabricated many pitfalls... This has led a vast assortment of communities into the P_I_T_S of Hell. Great dynasties have come and gone, all the while, the sophistication of human thought, that was not true to self, has increased in stature, inducing large-scale devastations in every corner of the globe. In every past generation, the seeds of havoc were sown mostly by well respected people of academia, religion and government, whom society deemed to be proficient in teaching what is important to succeed and prosper.

Unfortunately for humanity, wisdom was (and still is) always lacking. It was replaced with knowledge that stems from an over-active brain, hardwired by egotistical/intellectual thinking. Inbred doctrines, idle dogma and formulated be-lie-f systems took the place of simple truth. Time has only increased sophisticated thinking, in a way that people have no awareness that they are slaves to their own, out-of-tune cleverness, that is detached from their true self of naturalness.

In this day and age, rogue nations seek to destroy the world via the teachings in their holy books. Power mad dictators still try any devious means they can conceive to bring humanity to the brink of war.
 
Closer to home, the new normal contains vast amounts of erroneousness, and it is becoming harder to know who or what to trust. Bernie Maddof conned many investors who were deemed to be well informed, educated people, and the scam ruined their lives. At the same time, a whole host of erroneous (rhymes with Polonius) financial institutions, who were deemed to be well respected, have brought the world financial system to the brink of disintegration. No doubt, many future scandals will remain under-cover, until, dis-covered, and more mayhem is sure to follow.

When and How did the Current Slew of Massive Financial Ruination Start?

In a few weeks, it will be the third anniversary of Ken Lay's death. It was he who began a new era of villainy on a massive scale in a company named Enron. Therefore, it may be a good idea to find the true cause of his early departure from earth. His extinction played out like a Shakespearean tragedy and was a timely reflection on how not to be true to self. The devious infamy was acutely covered by the media for all humanity to take heed. However, instead of heedfulness and caution in future deals, financial scoundrels decided they relished greed more. Thus, further acts of deception and cunning played out their roles all around the world.

Kenneth Lay, be-lie-ved he was a good, righteous person, who did the best he could for his family, friends and the business he governed. His father was a minister, so he grew up in a religious, moral environment. He progressed from a humble background, fashioning his own way in the business world, ending up as the founder and CEO of the now bankrupt Enron.

In mid May 2006, he was found guilty on all accounts of fraud. When he came out of the court room he declared his shock and dismay at the verdict. In his brain's perspective, he could not accept how he had done any wrongdoing. In his be-lie-f system, he felt that he was a victim of circumstances and innocent as charged.

In a way, he was correct; he was a victim of circumstances, however, similar to millions of others who meet an early demise by the disregard they give their true selves... The circumstances were of self-delusory, egotistical making. Therefore, he was correct to declare innocence, for it was the image he had built up in his brain, built from ignorance of truth, which made him do all the erroneous actions that brought about his demise. Right up to his death (July 2006), he never realized he was a victim of his narcissistic brain's dominance over his heart and everything he held dear, within his intrinsic values of life.

He was faithful to his fallacious ego/intellect, but treacherous to his valid heart's intelligent contentment. This is a woeful tale to reveal; nevertheless, it was a warning to every CEO and business person. Sadly, it was mostly ignored. Indeed, it should have been an alarm bell that went off in every persons mind.

Everyone needs to ask themselves if their egos' values are telling them to do things their heart does not agree with. Time has proven, in the past, very few did agree with their heart's intelligence. The present moment reveals, very few do understand their inner intelligence. No doubt, the future will report, very few will entertain simple truthful intrusions that interfere with self delusion, hidden within educated cleverness.

The seven questions that every person on earth needs to answer, to be true to themselves now, are:
Is the need for greed more significant to them, than the importance of their personal health and the well-being of other human beings? Are they slaves to their egos, so much so, that they can no longer locate the difference between expert opinions (which are just opinions) and the truth of each point in their lives, which requires trustworthy, affirmative actions? Do they consume foods and drinks that may upset the biological chemical balance of their mind and body, yet is enjoyed by the taste buds? Has alcohol, smoking or junk food become so habitual that they no longer consider changing until catastrophic illness strikes them down? Does their social lifestyle and media influence their decision making in every area of everyday living? Are their thoughts soaking up all the toxic sensational hype that the media feel they need to digest? Does their be-lie-f system help or hinder their true enjoyment of life, so much so, that being correct in other people's eyes is more important than living in serene genuineness? Do they feel stress and try to mask it with medication and advice that does not solve the cause of their distress? Most significantly, can a person define who it is,, inside their head, which is making their decisions for them? If Ken Lay (and others since) could have answered these questions in an authentic manner, no doubt he (and all the others who departed too soon) would be alive today, happily living with their family and friends. He (and all the others) was inflicted with a dis-ease of the egos educated, strict correctness, which eventually affected his (and their) hearts and other organs. It led to his (and their) early deaths. It is tragic how it all continues to be played out on the world-wide stage. Alas, he (and others) was totally unaware that, the invisible dis-ease in the brain, that has no medical definition or recognition, is brought about by the toxic, intellectual way of thinking, which has been adopted, as real, in place of authentic intelligence and wisdom, encompassing love and joy.

Unfortunately, to some extent, the same scenario will play out in millions of peoples lives in the future... Many will meet their demise far too early, long before their shelf life was due to expire. The brain's emotional illusions, within their be-lie-f system, will cause cancer, heart attacks and all other ailments, mishaps and wars, which come from venomous, erroneous thinking. A strong ego may be-lie-ve their business/social agenda is very important; however, it is no match for natural truths, which make the heart tick amicably on time.

Lay, fooled the investors in Enron, for a while ... He fooled most the employees in Enron, for a while...But most of all, he fooled himself most of his life in Enron, into thinking he was true to himself. In the end his heart had to break the news, in a terminal, dramatic manner, how unsound and mistaken he lived out his final years on earth.

We should understand, most people will not change, no matter what happens to them. They will just go through the motions, within the masquerade of changing on the surface...Still deceiving themselves, through their egos/intellects, toxic be-Lie-f systems. Humanity has certainly woven many intricate webs of guile and deception, which continues to fool the cleverest, intellectual brains in the land, into be-lie-ving in its own exactness.

As with Humpty Dumpty's(humanities) fall from grace, all the king's horses, all the religions, all the governments, all the universities, all the media and all the king's wo-men, have not got a clue... on how to stick humanity together again in this moment in time... Simply because the intellectual brain cannot discern, Truth ... from ... Be-Lie-fs. It is vital to understand; neither naturalness nor spirituality can be learned. It comes naturally at birth, and all we can do to get back to the naturalness is to strip the conditioned, memorized new normality from our minds.

Will humanity be able to save itself from extinction? Well, for sure, they will take it to the edge of the precipice and maybe someone will be able to make a new paradigm for future generations. The jury is still out and one can only hope they do not hang themselves.

Shakespeare has the final 400 year old words.
"Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all... to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!"

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About Michael Levy

Michael Levy is an international talk show host, philosopher, poet and author of 17 inspirational books which have never been marketed, for Levy feels authentic works will eventually find their place in humanity by word of mouth. His lack of education makes his philosophy unique in a modern world, where everything is analyzed and sophisticated by experts until all true meaning drains away. His works do not follow any past or present philosophers. Michael’s recent books  include That's Rich: Connect the Dots, also Well Well Well: Eat Well, Think Well, Live Well which is on healthy eating, meaningful thinking and authentic living. Michael's poetry and essays enhance many web sites, newspapers, journals and magazines throughout the world. He is a prominent speaker on health and wellness maintenance, stress eradication, wealth creation and development, authentic happiness and inspirational poetry. Why not visit Michael's new website with 5 new Blogs and lots of inspiration insights: www.pointoflife.com/

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