a l i v e & a w a k e

When I was living in Bancroft, we used to feed the birds. My favourite ones were chickadees. The more time they spend at the feeders, the more bold they became. They soon learned to trust us (the hand that fed them) so much so that at times they would feed from our hands (for a little guy -that's power!)

The most accessible "bird-food" we had in the house at the time was bread. I remember taking entire loaves of bread at a time to distribute to the hungry flocks. I felt very proud that I was helping these poor creatures to survive the freezing Canadian winter.

Then one day I heard some disturbing news. Apparently our wonderful bread doesn't have all the vitamins and minerals that birds need to live. In fact, all is really does is fill them up with "empty calories". They fly away feeling full, but nutritionally deficient.

That's how I would describe our society at large. We have been fed many humanistic philosophies and social programs and recreational events and scientific theories and governmental laws that have kept our lives packed full, but have failed to provide the moral, social, physical, economical and spiritual "nutrients" to really bring life.

The result is bankrupt lives producing broken marriages, disfunctional families, economic polarization of the rich and poor, disconnected and directionless young people, insolvable homelessness and unemployment as well as corruption in many levels of government. We are busy, but not happy. Moving, but going nowhere. Engaged in thinking, but not connected to truth. Our government's attempt to deal with the issues have largely been temporary, and usually have caused more complications than cured situations. It's sad, but I think it is time people heard this news. It may be disturbing, but if accepted it will begin the process of saving lives.

What is it going to take to being to restore people in our country to a place of wholeness and complete health? New programs to feed poor people? Another philosophical theory on how to better ourselves? A new law? No. These attempts are simply symptomatic solutions (see article on Inside-Out Change) I believe the answer is one that reaches to the very root of all the problems: the human heart. We need to change the human heart to change everything else.

From our hearts come our thoughts and actions. From our hearts come our ideas and theories. The human heart is the engine that runs all programs and events. It is also the heart that is the centre of morality and spirituality. It is the human heart that makes decisions to love our neighbour, or to give to the poor, or to oppress the helpless or to ignore injustice.

If we could somehow experience change at this level, imagine what the world would be like. What would your life look like? If you had a chance to get rid of the negative and evil desires within you, would you do it? If you could receive a new heart, become a new person, would you?

Jon