What’s really going on in the world today?

Are we heading towards a new enlightenment or the apocalypse?

I’m fascinated by world events. Not just what’s happening, but how people view those events. It’s amazing how 2 people can see the same events and have 2 totally different opinions.

Taoism is very interesting for me because it is ultimately based on simple observations. There is nothing hidden unless we are unable or unwilling to see and feel.

Why is it better to drink green tea in the summer and black tea in the winter? The answer is clear if you are able to feel the difference. Trial and error is the great tradition. The answers that have been left behind are always based on simple observations.

Each organ is associated with a different sound. Initially we try these sounds based on faith, but after a while the difference can be felt. These sounds were not written in stone by a god or magically divined from entrails. They are a product of exploration and attention. Ultimately, they are based on simple observation.

But world events are anything but simple. Observation is rarely direct and never full. We usually get our news from a few sources. They can be mainstream or fringe, but Taoist they are not.

So I’ve been fascinated when people on this board discuss world events. What judgments can be made based on simple observation? There are so many complicated subjects that it is impossible to understand them all.

How do you grow a plant? Soil, water, and sunlight can easily be controlled. Simple observation.

How do you grow a nation’s economy? Not so easy to control or study. If you try and make it simple, how much are you ignoring? My simple answer will not be the same as yours.

And so world events… I’ve tried some of the resources listed on this board. I always ask “Are the observation simple?” and “What are they missing?”

I recently heard of a program that’s going to air this Wednesday about the extremist agenda in the world today. What’s really interesting is that it’s a program based on simple observations. It’s also interesting because many have not heard this information anywhere else. If you’re interested in world events and you have CNN’s headline news, think about watching the Glenn Beck program 7pm or 9pm eastern this Wednesday.