I love humans but I hate what we do. We can be so stupid cruel and selfish.

We make two fundamental errors in awareness that send us in the wrong direction. We see ourselves as individuals, and as a species separated and uplifted by grace. In acting upon these separations we perpetrate a lie; a dishonesty whose untruth ironically betrays our own best interests.

When we see ourselves as individuals we turn away from half the truth and end up angry and vile. Surely it’s true we‘re individuals, in control of our choices and the outcomes we find. However, we’re equally at one with all of creation.

When individuality is miscomprehended the world can seem a lonely place beset at every turn by fear of fight or threat. When instead individuality is understood as an opportunity and responsibility to become a grander and more gracious giver, a warmer world is filled with friends. Without compassion generosity and service we miss that in giving we receive tenfold.

When we see ourselves as a species uplifted above all things we risk our very existence. Witness the vivisection of value as the life of forests and seas are decimated, even as the very air we breathe is poisoned.

We imagine we’re the superior masters of the universe in some kind of Garden of Eden built for especially for our consumption. Yet because we’ve mistaken our considerable power as a superior royal right to rule with impunity over the lesser creatures we stand on the precipice of an unpleasant and bloody revolution.

To be sure as a species we do wield great power. However this power doesn’t assign us ascendancy. Stepping on an ant is a very big deal to the Ant! 

We aren’t the owners of the planet. Rather than being the despotic dictator ruling over the creatures we’re wiser to act as humble and respectful servants treading lightly as we go.