Audio Version Of The Blog – 11.26.11

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The World Economy Needs Protection

Opinion: (Yakov Mirkin, Professor, Head of International Capital Markets Department, the Russian Academy of Sciences, from nr2.ru): “Numerous discussions of the EU leaders show that they cannot cope with the risks of the global financial system. Greece’s referendum means the declaration of Greek default, followed by the chain reaction of defaults of credit institutions.

“If Europe starts to look at the Greek debt as at its domestic debt, the problem will be solved gradually through emission and inflation. The problem is not the debt, but the debtor seeking the best conditions for himself and dictating terms to the lender.

“The Greek Government is unable to obtain the consent of the population on economic reforms and austerity measures. Even if now the ‘fire’ in Greece is put out, in a year we will see new areas of shocking debts.”
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Europe And Demographic Decline

Dr. Michael LaitmanIn the News (from the Demography Report): “Demographic change in Germany is marked by low birth rates and a declining population size.

“The population of Germany has been shrinking since 2003 and is now 81.7 million residents.

“According to models of the Federal Statistical Office, Germany’s population will decline to 65-70 million by 2060. …This trend is also accompanied by a decline in the working-age population.

“While the population is declining, the age structure is also shifting. …In 2060, every third person (34%) will be at least 65 years old.

“There are two reasons for population ageing: Germany has had low birth rates for many years.

“In addition, average life expectancy in Germany, as in other industrial countries, has steadily risen over the past 150 years by about three months per year.

“This trend will affect almost every area of life, society and public policy, giving rise to new challenges to social cohesion and economic prosperity in Germany over the long term.”

My Comment: The global integral crisis will force us to change and become a society of total interdependence, in which humanity will no longer be divided into countries and civilizations. So the problem of the aging of the Old World will disappear by itself.
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Loneliness: 25% of Americans Have No One To Confide In

Mr. Michael LaitmanIn the News: “Americans have a third fewer close friends and confidants than just two decades ago — a sign that people may be living lonelier, more isolated lives than in the past.

“In 1985, the average American had three people in whom to confide matters that were important to them, says a study in today’s American Sociological Review. In 2004, that number dropped to two, and one in four had no close confidants at all.

“Close relationships are a safety net, Lynn Smith-Lovin, professor of sociology at Duke University in Durham, N.C. says. ‘Whether it’s picking up a child or finding someone to help you out of the city in a hurricane, these are people we depend on.’

“The study finds fewer contacts are from clubs and neighbors; people are relying more on family…. The percentage of people who confide only in family increased from 57% to 80%, and the number who depend totally on a spouse is up from 5% to 9%, the study found. ‘If something happens to that spouse or partner, you may have lost your safety net,’ Smith-Lovin says.” (Source: USA Today)

“In this age of email, instant and text messaging, cell phones, and our super-sized-surpassing 300 million citizens–nation, the very idea that we are becoming increasingly isolated and disconnected from each other seems absurd. However, all of our cyberspace playthings are not satisfying our needs for closeness and friendship. Developing social networks beyond the family is a necessary survival skill. Feelings of isolation and loneliness in the extreme can lead to physical and mental illnesses. What accounts for so much social disconnectedness? Networks beyond the family is a necessary survival skill. Feelings of isolation and loneliness in the extreme can lead to physical and mental illnesses. What accounts for so much social disconnectedness?

“Most of us have little leisure time. Friendships require time and commitment. At the end of the day, most of us retreat home and want nothing more than to close the door on the outside world. We go indoors to be entertained by our electronic gadgets. For the most part, we are not hanging out or walking around the neighborhood to visit with neighbors. For that matter, we probably have not uttered a full sentence to the person next door since we moved into our house or apartment. Privacy and a do not disturb attitude are the mottos of the day.

“Traditionally, women have been responsible for developing the family’s social diary and maintaining friendships with other couples. Sustaining such a social network takes a great deal of time and energy. Most women today are working full time.” (Source: American Sociological Review).

My Comment: All these symptoms will grow until we understand their purpose: to show us that the only solution to all our problems is in mutual guarantee.
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The Question About The The Devil And Quran

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: Out of all the material published by you and Anthony Kosinec, it was  easy for me to synchronize all your teachings with the Holy Quran. This made it clear for me that both the Torah and the Quran came from the same source. However, I don’t see you talking at all about the devil or how he can affect our desires. Could you please explain from your teachings where you can position him or his effects? (Saudi Arabia)

Answer: All positive (giving) and negative (egoistic) forces exist only in a person himself. There is nothing outside a person but the concealed correcting force (the Light, the Creator), which manifests to the extent of our aspiration to become similar to it in our relations.

That is why “love thy neighbor as yourself” is the general rule of the Torah (the method of correction). There is no doubt that the Holy Quran is also a consequence of the same laws of nature (the Creator) that the Torah (Kabbalah) speaks of.
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There Is No Turning Back

Dr. Michael LaitmanThe laws of nature are irreversible. We’re unable to add anything artificially because the conditions within our society’s political, industrial, familial, and social systems force us to come to a mutual and integral interdependence. We will be forced to do this regardless of whether we’re rich or a regular worker, a jobless person, a student, or an elderly person.

Nature is locking us into a single general system and forces each person, in accordance with his status, qualities, and interrelations with the society to gradually transform. We can’t remain in our previous state.

Do you see what’s happening in the world today? Could anyone imagine that Germany would give Greece 500 billion dollars and then pardon the debt? Can you imagine Germans giving 500 billion to Greece? There is also Italy and Spain on the line. No one knows how this will end. However, people aren’t out on the streets protesting, they’re not trying to overthrow the government, and they’re not demanding their money back.

Imagine that we have 500 billion in the bank saved up by all of the country’s workers. This is the government’s fortune, and instead of putting this money into realizing the country’s needs, we give it to someone who we don’t even wish to know.

Why doesn’t this result in a civil war? I know Germany, I’ve been there and I’ve talked to the German people. People aren’t particularly happy with the situation, but no one is really opposing it. This is because people understand that for the politicians and the economists having to come to this decision was a lot more painful than for the rest of the people.

They are “sitting” on this money, and with its help they rule over the people and the nation. But if they’ve decided to part with this money, then things must really be bad. We are really that interconnected that I have to give to other countries and pardon the debt, just as I would give to my own nation. They realize the depth of the interconnection and see that the law of nature connects everyone and that this tie cannot be undone.

This is an inner tragedy for those who had to make this decision because parting with 500 billion dollars isn’t easy. Just imagine what your family would say if you took all of your possessions and money from the bank and gave it away?

What we are talking about here is a sense of total connection and necessity. The politicians see no other way out. We, the “small people,” don’t see it, but they do. This is why the biggest tycoons and billionaires will part with their money just as these politicians did, otherwise they won’t be able to exist. They will understand the necessity of this action. Totally paradoxical things are happening right before our eyes, we simply don’t realize it yet.
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From a TV Program “The Integral World” 10/30/2011

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Eternal Values

Dr. Michael LaitmanThe society of mutual guarantee is built in such a way that it obliges me to be its active participant all the time because with every effort directed at benefiting it, I receive huge fulfillment and enthusiasm. Every person working for the good of the society and helping it deserves respect and encouragement: medals, prizes, and praise, all of which give him huge pleasure.

I’m not filled by the dollars that I have in my Swiss bank account. I’m filled by the feeling of what I’ve got, a feeling of dignity, importance, usefulness, and wholeness. This is much more! And nobody can take this away from me.
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From a TV Program “The Integral World” 10/30/2011

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