Paradigm 3 Articles

1. Total Human Development and Harmony Through Synergism

Synergism and the Cosmic Human-- in Cosmology, Philosophy, & Spirituality

Synergism and the Biological Human-- in Anatomy/Physiology, & Biosphere (symbiosis, bio-diversity in ecosystems, etc.)

Synergism and the Social Human-- in Social Basics, in Economics, in Health and Health Care, in Aesthetics, & in Culture

THE 15 EMPOWERING PARADIGMS:

1. Total Human Development and Harmony Through Synergism

2. Holistic Health Care and Medicine

3. Deep Ecology and Harmony with Nature

4. Sense of History and Sense of Mission

5. Civics and Democratic Governance

6. Culture as Community Creativity

7. Light-Seeking and Light-Sharing Education

8. Gender Sensitivity, Equality & Harmony

9. Reconstructive/Restor-ative Justice

10. Associative Economics, Social Capital and Sustainable Development

11. Synergetic Leadership and Organizations

12. Appropriate/Adaptive Technology

13. Mutual Enrichment of Families and Friendships

14. Human Dignity and Human Harmony: Human Rights and Peace

15. Aesthetics Without Boundaries: 'Art from the Heart'

EcoSpirituality:
Awakening to the Aliveness and Beauty
in All Creation

By Rudolph M. Petalver

(The author, Rudolph M. Petalver, is the chairperson of the Spring of Harmony Internal Arts Club International Principles and Techniques of Natural Health and Healing)

Ecospirituality is a new perspective that arose out of the zeal and passion of the seekers among humanity to know the truth about life, to understand the meaning of existence, to explore the mysteries of the universe, and to capture the essence of nature and relations of man, earth, cosmos and God.

Insomuch as it digs into the core and essence of Life itself, ecospirituality can also be viewed as a major area of inquiry, the kernel of the so-called Deep Ecology or Inner Ecology. It adopts the metaphysical approach while employing the scientific and mystical methods of all disciplines-- the sciences, arts, humanities, philosophy, communication, education, theology, religion, politics and economics. It aims to provide for man the knowledge he needs to support and objectify his intuition and inspiration that all nature is spirit, sacred, interdependent and tends to perfection.

All is One

“Let children walk with Nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life.”
-- John Muir (1838-1914),
American naturalist, author, and environmentalist
Everything is Energy or Spirit that endures forever. As there is only one energy, there is only one substance from which matter rises. There is only one substance from which all in nature is fashioned. This Energy has many names depending on its levels and on the lens of culture, philosophy, religion or ideology that is used to explain it to us who seek to know and understand. But as what Romeo passionately tells Juliet, “what’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

     This energy has different vibrations. These different vibrations account for the appearances and diversity we observe in this three-dimensional world—minerals, plants, animals, humanity, elements, space, and invisible forces. The gist of this phenomenon is captured by the catch-phrase “Unity in Diversity.”
     As humans and non-humans are born out of one raw material, one primordial fabric and one substance while retaining our very essence which is Spirit or Energy, all are thus in essence brothers and sisters. All come from the same source, and this source is creative, intelligent, and filled with playful sparks.
     This energy or spirit is indestructible. It cannot be destroyed. But it can have infinite manifestations and expressions depending on the amount of substance the energy has chosen to transform itself into, the qualities of the matter produced, and the purpose with which that energy has imparted to the substance.
     To illustrate. Primal energy can out of the one substance fashion a matter that is cool and wet, giving rise to the element of water. If it significantly absorbs heat, which is another quality of matter fashioned from the one substance that is a condensation of the one energy, water turns into a vapor. Vapor has a state, that is gas, which is different from that of water, but still has the same essence as that of water. If on the other hand water significantly loses heat, water turns into ice. Again, the state is transformed into another one, solid. But still, ice has the same essence as that of water.
     Even without turning into vapor or ice, water itself can have multiple forms depending on its interplay with other forces and factors in the phenomenal world, which is this objective world as we know it. Water can be hot, warm, lukewarm, cool and cold. Thus, though there are many expressions, the essence of cool and wet remains. Hot water or cold water is still water, but water manifesting in hot or cold liquid. At the principle level, we say that Essence--which is one--remains, while the manifestations of the one--which is form, can be many. One is thus many. And many is one.
     Such principle allows us then to understand unity in nature. Life energy has many forms interacting with one another, yet remains one. As we are but parts of one living, growing system made up of the cosmos, our outer environment, and our inner environment (thoughts and emotions), we affect the non-human elements of nature with our actions, thoughts and words. If we abuse our stewardship role, we bring suffering upon the system, and ultimately to ourselves as we are part of that system. Will anyone volunteer to suffer and live in misery day in, day out? It is against nature to desire such misery, harm and suffering. If suffering is present, then the cause introduced should be neutralized and transformed into a cause that leads to happiness and enjoyment instead.

Life is Sacred

“The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.”
          --Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894),
          novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer
     Life is valuable. It is so precious that it must be cherished, promoted and preserved. It is an endearing gift from the source itself, the source that is eternal, the energy that is formless but now has taken form in a manner distinctly unique. Unique is rare. Unique is full of value. Each manifestation and spark of life is thus an expression in itself with no substitute. This manifestation in due time will be transformed into another form but retaining its fiery essence. Thus, while you are you and while outer environment is as what we know it is, appreciate, accept, and value its beauty and uniqueness apart from whether it has use to us or none, and if useful, whether it is of big use or of little use. Let each part of creation be a reminder of the creativity, playfulness, and wonders of the cosmos and of life energy. Let each part of creation be a reminder of the Grand Architect that fashioned it out of its majestic, immutable, intelligent creative and benevolent substance.
     Thus, let respect permeate our every relations with each member of the family of nature. We are called to acknowledge the uniqueness and beauty of each creation. We are called to see the light and truth of every tree, flower, river, valley, mountain, sky, and beast roaming, creeping or flying above. Much more, we are challenged to see every one, human or non-human, as a brother or sister, a valuable member of this grand biodiversity.

Be Filled With Energy

“It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others”.
           —Joseph Addison (1672-1917),
           English essayist, poet and politician
     The ancient masters, philosophers and the greatest among us in human history have affirmed and counseled “Man, know thyself.” Aside from taking an inventory of our skills, weaknesses, aspirations, habits, and strong points, such counsel bids us to be who we are, and to live and act as what we really are – spirits or energy beings with physical bodies to experience and enjoy life in this physical world, and hopefully leave this dimension filled not with torment, frustrations, hopelessness and powerlessness, but with wisdom and the knowledge of life, and thrilled by the alive passion and joyfulness of creation.
     It is unthinkable and unacceptable for ordinary man and woman to not eat, rest or drink everyday. Else, the physical body dies. If we accept and act as we are, that is as energy beings, then it will naturally become unthinkable and unacceptable for us to not let our energy body eat, rest or drink everyday.
     Our physical bodies are like cell phones. Every moment, we are stressed so much so that our energy gets depleted. For some, the depletion has become a chronic illness that makes them a stranger to happiness and enjoyment. We go low bat. That’s why we are called to be proactive and mindful of minimizign energy loss every moment. Energy zappers include worrying, doubting, not accepting the reality of a phenomenon, and spending too much time with people who are oversexed, regularly engaged into drugs, and chronically tired.
     How do we recharge ourselves then if we are busybodies? The normal ways are letting go of our worries, eating nutritious foods, drinking fresh juices and at least 8 glasses of water every day, taking nature retreats, reading and watching inspirational stories, and doing our exercise regimen.
     The ultimate and accumulative way of recharging not just our physical bodies, emotions and mind is to practice ulen (ultimate energy) techniques. These are short, practical, powerful and time-tested ways of accumulating energy and attuning to the source. In doing the techniques, we become ourselves. We behave as energy beings. We feed ourselves with our natural food, which is energy. We sustain ourselves. We show and affirm our acceptance and understanding of our nature, that is, we are spirit. We are energy beings.
     In the short workshop, Spring of Harmony shared to the symposium participants on the occasion of the World Environment Day (WED) 2009 Philippine Celebration in Batangas City, Batangas Province, three potent techniques were shared—Energy-Centering Exercise (7 minutes), Pentagram Technique (8 minutes), and Creative Visualization (5 minutes).
     Said techniques will naturally impel us to act as energy beings. With energy being accumulated everyday, our energy levels increase and soar to levels that allow us, even without persuasion, to develop an attunement with the source. Trust in the truth of cosmic laws replaces fear and uncertainty of the future and the unknown. Joy wells up in us despite the concerns we face in our lives. We become more introspective. We become enthusiastic to learn new talents and schools.
     Hope springs eternal within. Common sense is strengthened and develops into creative intelligence and ready intuition that leads to understanding of Life’s workings. Such intelligence and understanding leads us to Truth, and ultimately to freedom. For the first time, we awaken to life. We become passionate about living, and experiences the abundance in the Universe.
In maintaining high energy levels, we expand our being, and with it, our consciousness. The energy nourishes the spark within us and grows into a gentle flame that creates. What seems supernatural is found spontaneously natural.
As consciousness expands, we acquire new powers and give birth to higher possibilities. We expand and enlarge our capacity to know and to experience. We expand and enlarge our capacity to love.
     It is then that everything becomes spontaneous and natural. We become nature, producing many manifestations out of the emptiness of our profound potentiality. We experience abundance and joy amidst what those who cannot see experience as limitation and suffering. We embody life. We become life incarnate. We are Life, one with all, precious, unique, and ever progressing towards the infinity of Truth, Goodness and Beauty.
     Let us truly think, feel, speak, act, and perceive as Energy, as Spirit in the fullness of Eternity.
     Awaken to Light, Life and Love!