I saw writer Arbi’s answers to Gypsy Spirits survey. I thought about attempting to answer it.
I do apologize in advance because I type on mobile and have several typos if I don’t catch them as I go.
Fixed it because I apparently can’t copy paste right lol
1: There is a common expression - ‘strength of the human spirit’. How do you understand what is meant by the human spirit?
I’ve always felt this expression highlights the little spark or difference in what separates humans from “other” animals, since we are ALL animals.
I have often said to my children, “you have the higher thinking brain. Use it.”
That’s what “human spirit” equates out to for me.
Humans are animals but we have this ability to think higher than other animals. We have curiosity for knowledge and nature and cosmos. We ask questions. We seek answers.
And when something occurs or happens, we tend to come together and pull from “human spirit” to remedy and find solutions. We draw collected knowledge and help and work.
Even an individual in a perilous situation will try and pull from every part of their knowledge to survive because they know there are things on the other side of the experience that can help them. Thinking outside a purely instinct driven process.
When we do these things for ourselves, or together, it’s the closest to magical we become as humans.
2: What do you think has been the cause of conflicts & wars throughout history. Is it Politics? Religion? Human greed? Power? Racism? Ignorance? or something else?
Power.
Politics goes back to power.
Religion goes back to power.
Human greed goes back to power.
Racism goes back to power.
Ignorance goes back to power.
Every person who has started a war with whatever cause has always wanted to exude power over another for whatever reason they sold themselves in the shower that morning.
3: How do you see the purpose of human life?
I don’t think there’s a purpose. It would be nice…but I don’t believe we are any more important than a plant or animal. We are just here, living our lives on this celestial rock.
I do believe a beautiful human purpose would be for us, as a species, to understand our intelligence and power and do good with it. Save the world we live on for the things that can’t. Help the ones who can’t.
Humans are amazing beneficiaries of knowledge and wisdom and the only species to use it for every wrong reason.
4: Do you believe people can change?
Of course.
But I believe some people choose not to. Either from rigidity or fear.
Change requires a lot of pain. It requires having deep reflection of your self and flaws.
Even grabbing hold of your strengths can be painful if you don’t have the belief that you deserve them.
We naturally change as we grow.
We lose that along the way.
Sometimes it’s fear, hurt, society.
We get stuck on an idea of what we are as an individual. We get stuck in our trauma or self hate or self doubt.
But if a person can be real enough to examine themselves deeply, and learn and grow, then yes…you can change.
5: Do you believe the world is coming to an end and why?
On a cosmic level? No.
On a human level? We are getting very close.
The Universe will do what the universe does for as long as possible. It follows no commands and relentlessly moves on. It will die when it reaches the end of its fuel.
But humans....we may kill thisnplanet before itnwas supposed to die. We certainly will kill each other and all the live bestowed upon it.
For a species bestowed with knowledge, we are highly greedy and flippant for any regard to things outside our immediate wants and needs.
6: Do you believe this is all there is or do you believe in an afterlife?
I think this is it.
I don’t believe there’s an afterlife, per se.
Some times I do think we must go on as energy. Whether that energy is released in to the Earth or finds it’s way back to another life, I have no idea.
And sometimes I think we just die.
But whether we become energy or just die, I do believe the one life I’m living is it. There isn’t a grand finale or a redo or a continuation…so enjoy and love the life you’re in.
7: Do you think for yourself based on facts you have investigated, or get all information via media, a political/religious dogma or an individual?
I tend to believe, initially, what I think for myself. I usually have a very set core of non moveable, non negotiable ideas or morals that I’ll operate from.
But I like to listen. I like to discuss. I love info dumping. I want to know why someone thinks the way they think. If something particularly interests me, I like to research it.
I also am smart enough to know that I’m dumb. I’ll never know every thing. Not even about the things I’m heavily educated or passionate about. Listening to others gives me perspective and knowledge…but I tend to question everything.
8: Do you believe partisan politics will save the world, stop wars and unite humanity?
I believe politics of all kinds are what has always destroyed humanity.
I also know that we are so deep in to political control of everything that partisan politics is probably the closest we will ever get to trying to fix some of it.
But overall, unless humans as a whole don’t start doing better, politics won’t even matter. We will do it to ourselves.
9: Do you believe in a Higher Power?
No.
But I also don’t completely deny that there could be some force or energy that does influence us.
I think that’s thr part of me that is hopeful that we aren’t actually solely in control of it…
10: Do you see a conflict between science (evolution) and religion, or can they actually complement each other?
Essentially, I believe, the conflict belongs to religion. Science asks questions and wants proof. If Science is proven false or incomplete, it asks more questions and wants proof.
Religion says have faith as small as a mustard seed and don’t ask questions. They don’t want answers.
Science HAS tried to reconcile religion with Science but ultimately can’t find proof outside of some historic events.
Religion tends to even turn from other religion with similar events because it isn’t part of their faith.
I’ve always found it strange that Science will seek answers on connecting religions through fact and evidence and most religions won’t even acknowledge it because it’s outside the bounds of their faith and requires questions.
I often feel like if Science does finally connect all the religions (an example would be the flood stories from The Bible and The Epic of Gilgsmesh) and actually has proof of something higher....Religion would still turn away because it isn’t the religion they’re indoctrinated in to.
11: How would you define values and/or virtues?
I think most get their values and virtues in stages. The first edition comes from the ones bestowed upon us from our family and friends as children. The next edition come from the lessons we learn the hard way as young adults. Then we gain them from examining the first 2 sets and making tweaks…adding some ourselves, because maybe now we have the confidence to believe in ourself to make choices for ourself.
Then I feel we just keep tweaking them. Losing some, adding others… life gives new opportunities to add them all the time. Whether we adopt them or adapt old ones, it’s ever changing…but there are always some that stay at center.
12: How do you see a likely future for future generations?
I sadly don’t.
The way the world is moving…the way we treat it…housing crisis. Food shortage. Economic collapse. War mongering…
The glimmer of hope I see comes from the younger generation. Quite a few are trending towards a simpler life. They’ve grown up with technology and are separating themselves from the more nonsensical parts of it.
I see a lot more of the youth embracing human rights and equality for every one of them.
I don’t think this world stands a chance at the rate it’s going now…but if the younger generations keep pushing for things to go their way, it has a chance…and I think its important for us older ones, who see this happening, to stand up and hold the door open for them.
Loading comments...