Post No. 546: Some more thoughts on Balanced Positivity

Note: posts on this topic can be found here, here, here and here. 

One Size Does Not Fit All

One of the sayings I have in my signature block is “one size does not fit all”. We are all unique individuals, and, with the exception of laws – which apply to all, many rules, guides, assumptions, conditions, etc apply to some, or even most people, but not necessarily all. Medical science seems to have finally realised it can go as far as it can with generic statistics, and there is a move towards more individually tailored medical approaches.

To some extent that has been there for some time – for instance, medical science acknowledges allergies to penicillin, which has possibly been one of the most life-saving medical inventions of the last century or so. But now, particularly with increased understanding of genetics, the potential is there to really develop personalised medical approaches – which is something I consider alternative medicine is either better at, or has often been attempting to be better at, than conventional medicine for quite some time. My experience with the system of applied kinesiology known as “Touch For Health” has been a good example of that, where the energy state of each individual is assessed. As another example, does this article show that homeopathy no good for anyone, or that science is still stuck in the one size fits all approach and that there may actually be people who benefit from homeopathy? (I’m not one of those people, by the way).

This principle of ‘one size does not fit all’ is an important tool for learning and guiding the application of knowledge, in my view, and thus seems to me to a good example of what constitutes Balanced Positivity.

Don’t Throw the Baby Out With the Bathwater

I know come to a point that I want to spend quite a bit more time thinking on: no throwing the baby out with the bathwater, which basically means avoid overreacting or reacting inappropriately. For instance, if your favourite band member wears a colour you don’t like, don’t ditch all their records (oops – DVDs :) ). On the other hand, it is important to stand up for matters of principle, so, for instance, I try to avoid buying from environmentally or socially irresponsible companies –and consider the proposed ban on such boycotts to be environmentally, socially and politically irresponsible, and something likely to encourage or support incompetent businesses. (Good businesses know about the importance of having a social contract.)

As another example, Pope Francis and his church unquestionably have their faults (they’re still homophobic, for instance), but the current situation under the new Pope is unquestionably better than it was under the former Pope (it is ‘less bad’, if you prefer). To fail to acknowledge that seems to me a bit like slating everyone who is not perfect - which is everyone, really - as being as bad as Hitler. OK, so that’s an absurdist extreme, but it does illustrate the weakness of the inflexibly idealist view that decries all gains until perfection is attained.

I actually experienced that in my lobbying days, when I was criticised for not holding off on intermediate changes until we could get all the changes we wanted - which assumed we were in a position of strength that we weren’t, ignores the realities of time cycles in the political world (some topics will not be accepted again once they have been put up, plus having pollies who are receptive may be a rare matter), and would have condemned more people to death and misery in the interim, which was completely unacceptable in my view – I’d buried enough people. (Interestingly, these critics often cited the aims of a UK based lobby group as what we should have done, but when I talked to those people, they actually were quite congratulatory of our success, and were appalled that someone could use their ambit claim guidelines in such a manner.)

To choose another example, I recently came across a link that raised some concerns about Marion Zimmer Bradley’s link to alleged child abuse, through her former partner (see this post of mine). In response to that, do I throw out all MZB’s books – which would be a major loss to me, but more concerningly, would restrict a source that I use in my feminist and other work, or do I keep using them but acknowledge the claims at the link in some way?

I’ve decided to keep using them, but that is partly because the information presented raises some grey areas around the response of partners when abuse is going on. Yes, ideally they should leave, but they also have to survive, and the USA has extremely poor resources for people in such situations (Australia is bad enough). I’ve also seen the denial that people go through when they are trying to come to terms with such flaws in someone that they love, and know that it is difficult. Think for yourself how it would be if the person you most trusted in the world turned out to be a notorious Mafia hit man (which has happened).

What I probably will do is what I often do when referring to Lobsang  Rampa: mention the flaw – which, in the case of Lobsang Rampa, is that he was misogynistic and homophobic, albeit perhaps more out of ignorance than malicious or evil intent. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Rampa is in many instances the most reliable and understandable source on many metaphysical matters. If I choose not to refer to Rampa’s books, I would be harming those who are seeking to try and learn, as there is NOTHING else that is comparable, rather than applying pressure that could lead to a change.

That also applies to MZB, but the companies that I boycott are in a position to potentially learn and respond positively to the pressure I and others bring to bear. In those cases, I’ll go without – as I did a little while ago, for example, when I tried to make my second choice of Internet browser work, rather than the one I prefer, because of an appointment that company had made (since reversed, thankfully, so I’m back to my favourite).

So it is very much a balancing act, and a case of making an informed decision, based on spiritual principles, on a case by case basis … and being prepared to reconsider and change my position if I come across more information, or a well argued, countering point of view. Nevertheless, my experience is that most people are not prepared to give enough up – I’m always mindful that what one is prepared to give up is a good indication of how genuine one may be in terms of being committed to principles, and although I’ve argued here for not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I think more people need to be prepared to make some sacrifices, and at least throw the bathwater out, people, for goodness sake! :) 

[1] BPLF = Balanced Positive (spiritual) Light Forces. See here and here for more on this. 
 
Love, light, hugs and blessings 

Gnwmythr  
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear"; ... aka Bellatrix Lux? Morinehtar? Would-be drýicgan ... ) 

My "blogiography" (list of all posts - currently not up to date) is here.  
I started this blog to cover karmic regression-rescue (see here and here), and it grew ...  See here for my group mind project, here and here for my "pagans for peace" project (and join me at 9 PM on Sunday, wherever you are, to meditate for peace), and here for my bindrune kit-bag. I also strongly recommend learning how to flame, ground and shield, do alternate nostril breathing, work with colour - and see also here, and be flexible.

I am a Walker upon the Path of Balanced Positivity, seeking Spiritual Maturity. 

• One size does NOT fit all. 
• Don't be mediocre - seek to excel.  
• Gnwmythr's Stropping Strap: Occam's Razor only works if  the simplest solution is actually recognised as being the simplest, rather than the one that best fits one's bigotries being labelled 'simplest'.
• Our entire life experience, with all the many wondrous and varied people, places and events in it, is too small a sample for statistical reliability about Life.
• May the world of commerce and business be recognised to be a servant, not a master, of the lives of people.
• Ban the dream interpretation industry! 
• A home is for living in, not feeling, becoming or being rich or a “better” class than others.
• Housework is for ensuring a home is comfortable to live in, not competing to outdo or belittle others.
• Being accustomed to interacting via certain rules makes those rules neither right nor universal. 
• Like fire to the physical, emotions to the soul make a good servant, and a bad master. 
• Expertise at intimacy and emotional happiness is generally not the same thing as spiritual growth. 
• Any person, male or female, who has neither a serious health issue nor dependents and expects their partner to work to support them, is, spiritually speaking, little more than a parasite. 
• "Following the crowd" is not "going with the flow". 
• Armageddon is alive and well and happening right now: it is a battle between the indolence of "I only ..." and/or "I just ..." and/or "Everyone knows ... " and/or "they can ..." and what Bruce Schneier [2] calls "security theatre" on one side, and perspicacity and the understanding that the means shape the end on the other. Indolence vs. perspicacity, and expediency vs. honour.
• The means shape the end.  
• BPLF restraint of uncooperatives is NOT an opportunity for revenge or getting even - even unconsciously. 
• As words can kill, the right to freedom of speech comes with a DUTY to be as well-informed, objective and balanced as you can be.
• My favourite action movie of all time is "Gandhi", although I've recently come across "Invictus" and might put that one in to that category. However, I loathe the stereotypical action movie - and, for similar reasons, I loathe many dramas, which are often emotionally violent, more so in some cases than many war films. 
• All of the above - and this blog - could be wrong, or subject to context, perspective, or state of spiritual evolution ... 

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger [people]. JOHN F. KENNEDY (who was quoting 19th century Episcopal Bishop Phillips Brooks)

Jesus loves you.  Odin wants you to grow up. (Facebook meme, according to John Beckett)

We make our decisions. And then our decisions turn around and make us. F.W. BOREHAM

Females, get over 'cute'. Get competent. Get trained. Get capable. Get over 'cute'. And those of you who are called Patty and Debby and Suzy, get over that. Because we use those names to infantalise females – we keep females in their 'little girl' state by the names we use for them. Get over it. If you want to be taken seriously, get serious. JANE ELLIOTT  

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing. (based on writing by) EDMUND BURKE

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." EINSTEIN

We didn't inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we only borrowed it from our children ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Those whom we cannot stand are usually those who we cannot understand P.K.SHAW

Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, and the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change." SENATOR ROBERT F. KENNEDY (US Attorney General 1966 Speech) 

Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product ... if we should judge America by that -- counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. ... Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile." ROBERT F. KENNEDY 1968

Tags: Balanced Positivity, perspective, proportionate actions, response,

First published: Manadagr, 21st April, 2014
Last edited (excluding fixing typo's and other minor matters): Monday, 21st April, 2014