Well Being Journal Magazine Mar/Apr 2018 Vorige editie

When we think of pollution, toxic chemicals introduced into the environment by human activities come to mind. Agricultural pesticides and herbicides—which, along with other industrial chemicals, permeate groundwater and are flushed into streams and rivers, impacting lakes, oceans, and their inhabitants—are a major concern. Vandana Shiva writes about solutions in her article “Creating Pesticide- and Herbicide-Free Communities.” The subject of thought pollution is also entering the collective consciousness. Thoughts can be likened to frequencies, such as those used by radio stations. These frequencies travel unseen through our environment every minute. A lower or higher radio frequency can be received by adjusting a radio’s tuner. In a similar manner, thoughts are received by the brain. Who determines the station, or frequency, we tune in to? A thought of compassion tunes us in to harmonious feelings and to everything on that “station”: love, unity, understanding, patience, strength, courage, and peace. There is much compassion in the collective thought environment after people are injured in a national or local disaster. Judgmental thoughts, such as those of bigotry, bring instead feelings of separation, irritation, and fear. They affect the frequencies of collective thought in regions subjected to intolerance, violence, crime, or war. In such areas, there can be less openness to cultural differences and to change. It’s important to remember that we have the ability to shift these frequencies. Lynne McTaggert writes of the power of eight. Her research shows that when large group meditations for peace are held, crime in the area decreases. Forgiveness can be a challenge when we are faced with politicians who seem incapable of telling the truth, corporate “leaders” who are more concerned with profit than public health, and people who objectify one another.