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Enough is Enough- The cause of Social Suffering is not a Mystery

Enough is Enough- The cause of Suffering is not a Social Mystery

Author Rodger R Ricketts, Psy.D.

Decapitations, mass killings, enslavement, enforced starvation, abductions, sexual assaults, and the persistent plight of poverty and conflict are tragedies that have plagued humanity throughout history. Now, with the advent of modern mass communication, these heinous acts are revealed in their complete brutality as never before, making it impossible for anyone to ignore how critical the state of human suffering can be. This heightened awareness now provides a powerful motivation to put an end to such suffering.

Although the abuse of war and the inhuman attitude exhibited by people to fellow living beings is not new, the causes of such actions are revealing themselves more clearly. With the use of teachings offered by the Buddha we are now better able to remedy this and eventually stamp out these negative urges. The teachings of the Buddha, which are over 2,500 years, are increasingly applicable in the modern times, especially with the help of contemporary scientific discoveries. Through these teachings, a highly detailed model has been laid down which incorporates the use of moral and psychological understandings giving a clear and rational way to stop the suffering of ourselves, other people and living beings because of our ignorant and harmful intentions/actions.

This is a moment of excitement in humanity as we have a clear platform to develop a civilization with a harmonious relationship with the earth and its inhabitants. As opposed to the promises made in the past by different religious and philosophical movements, that favored one group and disadvantaged another, the vision advanced by the teachings of the Buddha and supported by modern science is not that at all. The new vision eliminates fixed identities and addresses the causes of conflict. What Buddha offers is a nonviolent, radical, yet functional way out of all that: a peaceful way out that can reduce and eventually remove the sufferings that has haunted humanity since its dawn. That misery contains a lot of distress that is caused by the ignorance of existence in human lives which creates a separation with reality. It is an important realization to help us cure the pain we both inflict and endure. This view can be summed up by a quote from the well-known physicist Albert Einstein: The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal God and avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description.

It’s worth noting that not all people who suffer from violence experience it directly. This also impacts on the perpetrators of such acts. According to the Buddha, a person who chooses to commit violence out of anger, greed, ignorance, and selfishness has a deluded mindset. This is what lies behind the destructive behavior we witness in the world today and in the past. When this kind of mindset ignorance disappears, violence, greed, hostility, and selfishness will also disappear. The greatest benefit of the Buddha’s teachings is that when we learn and apply them in our lives, we will achieve happiness, compassion, dignity, and wisdom.

The time has come when the world needs to understand these doctrines, (not mystical, not esoteric doctrines), but Truths which are guidelines about human suffering and their solution, in a practical and factual manner. The Buddha never engaged in Esotericism, nor did he offer a metaphysical explanation of the suffering. Rather, by observing himself and others, he concluded that ignorance, a misperception of reality, was the true source of suffering. By eliminating this misunderstanding through Awakening, people can relieve themselves and others from suffering. The result of Awakening is peace, happiness and compassion with oneself and all living beings. We must recognize that we are all interconnected and interrelated.

The teachings of Buddha present to us an immense opportunity of overcoming our ignorance and living compatibly with a harmonious life. We are ready now to have a Renaissance- a new Renaissance that would incorporate contemporary insights including of psychology, ecology, neurology, biology, physics, etc. that would hold up the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha. This is the opportunity to make a remarkably positive future for humanity, it is the time to motivate a reformation, resulting in everyone being content and wise and suffering will no longer darken the face of this planet.

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Tags: Awakening, buddha, buddha's teachings, Buddhism, Happiness, Knowledge, life, meditation, philosophy, psychology, reality, religion, Science, Spirituality, suffering

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Categories albert einstein, Awakening, buddha, compassion, equanimity, Happiness, Health and Wellness, Human Suffering, ignorance, Neuroscience, Science, Spirituality, Transendence, wellbeing, Wisdom

Review of “Chapter 14 The Unity of All The God is No-Thing An Apophatic Assertion: An Introduction for Humankind’s Transpersonal Actualization– revised –”

1 May

This is an unsolicited AI review of a chapter from my book cited above that was sent to me in my mailbox. I include it here for your consideration of some interesting points.

Overview

This chapter offers an in-depth exploration of apophatic theology—an approach that emphasizes what cannot be said about the divine—while weaving together both ancient and modern perspectives on mysticism, existential philosophy, and scientific insights. The text positions the apophatic tradition as a valuable, though historically underrepresented, perspective within religious and spiritual discourse. Drawing on references that span neuroscience, quantum physics, and Buddhist teachings, the chapter paints a comprehensive picture of human consciousness as inherently interdependent and open to non-dualistic experience.

Strengths

Interdisciplinary Breadth
The chapter deftly incorporates insights from neuroscience, psychology, quantum physics, and religious studies. This interdisciplinary approach highlights the convergences of empirical science with apophatic wisdom traditions. By citing modern authors such as Thomas Metzinger, Steven Pinker, and others, the chapter underscores how age-old practices align with contemporary research on consciousness, perception, and cognition.
Clarity in Explaining Apophatic Thought
Despite the inherently mysterious and paradoxical nature of apophatic spirituality (i.e., knowing God through recognizing the limitations of what can be positively affirmed), the text manages to articulate the main thrust of via negativa in relatively accessible language. Concepts like “I-Thou” relationships, non-duality, and interbeing are introduced in ways that should resonate with readers from various backgrounds.
Use of Concrete Examples and Quotations
Several key figures—Martin Buber, the Buddha, Jesus, and others—are introduced as exemplars of non-dualistic insight. Quotes from Buber and Buddhist teachings concretize abstract ideas, showing how real people have incorporated “I-Thou” relational practices in daily life. This effectively grounds the sometimes lofty theoretical framework in personal and communal experiences.
Emphasis on Ethical Consequences
The chapter does not merely focus on the theoretical underpinnings of apophatic spirituality; it also details the moral implications. Themes such as compassion, empathy, and loving-kindness are shown to be organic outgrowths of a more unified awareness. This reaffirms how apophatic insights can have transformative effects on personal conduct and broader social relations.

Points for Consideration

Structuring and Transitional Cues
While the chapter is rich in content, it sometimes shifts quickly between academic, mystical, and scriptural references. Additional subheadings or transition paragraphs might help ensure a smoother flow, guiding the reader through the various themes such as neuroscience, historical background, apophatic theology, and interpersonal relations.
Integration of Scientific Perspectives
The chapter draws on a wide range of scientific sources—from neuroscience to quantum theory—to illustrate points about perception and consciousness. Occasional deeper explanation or a clearer bridge between the scientific claims and the apophatic viewpoint would further strengthen the argument. For instance, elaborating on how quantum mechanics influences the concept of non-duality, or how neuroscience specifically supports the idea of “co-creating” reality, could give readers a clearer sense of how the disciplines align.

Notable Contributions

Historical Context: The text illuminates how apophatic teachings have often been marginalized in favor of cataphatic approaches, offering a historical perspective on the conflicts that shaped religious traditions.
Contemporary Validation: By referencing modern experiments in psychology and linguistics, the chapter gives credibility to the notion that apophatic experiences are not only culturally or historically bound but also supported by scientific frameworks.
Comprehensive Reference List: The variety of references—from classical religious texts to works in cognitive science—serves as a useful resource for readers who wish to explore these ideas in greater depth.

Conclusion

Chapter 14 provides a comprehensive and thought-provoking account of how apophatic spirituality, grounded in non-dualistic awareness, transcends traditional theistic frameworks to offer a unifying and compassionate vision of existence. The blend of philosophical argumentation, empirical research, and ethical guidance offers a multi-layered examination of what it means to “know No-Thing.” Overall, the transformative implications for personal and collective well-being are powerfully conveyed, encouraging readers to contemplate and possibly experience directly the non-dual nature of reality.

Tags: Apophatic theology, Buddhism, consciousness, Knowledge, life, meditation, philosophy, reality, religion, Science, Spirituality