wakingtimes--2020-08-31--WATCH – David Icke’s Inspiring Speech at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London

WATCH – David Icke ’ s Inspiring Speech at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
Yeah , David has been ridiculed , banned , de-platformed , censored , harassed , and generally abused by the establishment , but for good reason .
The powers that be have everything to fear from someone who speaks their truth and encourages others to step into their power .
Speaking at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London this last Saturday in Trafalgar Square , David addressed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was exceptionally inspiring and motivating .
Here ’ s quick panoramic of the crowd shouting ‘ Freedom !
” Quite an awesome sight to behold for those of us who ’ ve been wondering when the tide will turn and the momentum shifts toward a return to personal liberty and freedom from the global tyranny that is being constructed all around us .
Without commentary , we wanted to share this video for all those in need of a boost in this time of ongoing crisis .
Watch David ’ s speech here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event can be seen here .
Vic Bishop is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and OffgridOutpost.com Survival Tips blog .
He is an observer of people , animals , nature , and he loves to ponder the connection and relationship between them all .
A believer in always striving to becoming self-sufficient and free from the matrix , please track him down on Facebook .
This article ( WATCH – David Icke ’ s Inspiring Speech at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London ) was originally created and published by Waking Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons license with attribution to Vic Bishop and WakingTimes.com .
It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution , author bio , and this copyright statement .
Please contact WakingTimes @ gmail.com for more info .

WATCH – David Icke’s Inspiring Speech at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London
Vic Bishop, Staff Writer
Waking Times
Yeah, David has been ridiculed, banned, de-platformed, censored, harassed, and generally abused by the establishment, but for good reason. The powers that be have everything to fear from someone who speaks their truth and encourages others to step into their power.
Speaking at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London this last Saturday in Trafalgar Square, David addressed a crowd of thousands, and his speech was exceptionally inspiring and motivating.
“The rally, called under the slogans of “No More Lockdowns – No Social Distancing – No Masks,” among others, attracted more than 10,000 people aghast at the looming prospect of another lockdown being introduced, as talk of pandemic’s “second wave” dominates the media.” [Source]
Here’s quick panoramic of the crowd shouting ‘Freedom!” Quite an awesome sight to behold for those of us who’ve been wondering when the tide will turn and the momentum shifts toward a return to personal liberty and freedom from the global tyranny that is being constructed all around us.
Without commentary, we wanted to share this video for all those in need of a boost in this time of ongoing crisis. Watch David’s speech here. A full video of the entire event can be seen here.
Read more articles from Vic Bishop.
About the Author
Vic Bishop is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and OffgridOutpost.com Survival Tips blog. He is an observer of people, animals, nature, and he loves to ponder the connection and relationship between them all. A believer in always striving to becoming self-sufficient and free from the matrix, please track him down on Facebook.
This article (WATCH – David Icke’s Inspiring Speech at the Unite for Freedom Rally in London) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Vic Bishop and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement. Please contact WakingTimes@gmail.com for more info.


wakingtimes--2020-08-31--Robocop Is Here – New Police Helmet Scans For Signs of COVID-19 And Uses Facial Recognition

Robocop Is Here – New Police Helmet Scans For Signs of COVID-19 And Uses Facial Recognition Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
It took 33 years but Robocop is now here .
Well , not exactly , but the rise of the police state fueled by advancements in technology has given birth to a heads-up display equipped helmet sure to please the most anxious of peace officers .
It ’ s called a “ Smart Helmet ” and it can screen airport passengers for symptoms the COVID-19 virus as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records .
Public officials in Flint , Michigan can not provide clean drinking water to their residents but travelers to Bishop International Airport can get a glimpse of the new robotic cop helmets where they ’ re currently deployed .
Under the guise of screening passengers for COVID-19 , the Smart Helmet , produced by KeyBiz based in Italy , can scan travelers ’ body temperatures from over 20 feet away .
But the Smart Helmet is not limited to temperature body scans which any laser guided thermometer can do , not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installed which can provide the police officer with information related to outstanding warrants , if an individual is identified on a terror watch list or a no-fly list , and can read license plates for outstanding warrants , stolen vehicle information , criminal histories , etc .
Even if you are completely innocent , you will be subject to these scans .
Temperature scans can be done at a distance of 21 feet or less .
The helmets have already been deployed in Italy and elsewhere around the world .
Michigan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in excess of 100.4 degrees , more investigation into the traveler ’ s health will be conducted to determine if the passenger is too sick to travel .
We at TFTP have warned our readers for quite some time the COVID-19 pandemic would be used as an onus for a greater invasion of privacy .
Some of us here at TFTP are old enough to remember when boarding a plane was a simple as buying a ticket and getting aboard .
Fast forward nearly 20 years and there are quite a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is purchased .
First , your name , age , and birth date are checked to see if you ’ ve been added to a terror watch list , a no-fly list or otherwise .
Then , when you ’ re cleared to travel , you must soon possess a “ Real ID , ” Without it ( come October ) you won ’ t be allowed to fly .
Upon arrival to the airport , your identification is scanned and further checked in databases for any flags which may arise .
Afterward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emptied , your shoes taken off , your belts , hats , and metal jewelry removed .
You ’ re placed into a sniffing device to check to see if you ’ re carrying the scent of bomb making materials .
Next , your entire body image is scanned .
Later , a total stranger may pat you down and grope your private parts as you wait for the all clear sign to be given at which time you can retrieve your belongings .
But that ’ s only if the X-ray technician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has too many ounces in its container .
Now , it seems Mr. Robocop will take your temperature against your will , search through your criminal history and examine your facial features .
All of these things will likely be cataloged in another alphabet agency ’ s database .
The entire invasion of privacy will fall under the auspices of fears surrounding a fairly mild pandemic using slogans like “ it ’ s for your health and safety.
” And you thought it was about keeping America safe from terrorism .
Think again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good ol ’ days when the only danger in flying was smelling like cigarette smoke from all the puffers aboard .
Jack Burns writes for TheFreeThoughtProject.com , where this article first appeared .

Robocop Is Here – New Police Helmet Scans For Signs of COVID-19 And Uses Facial Recognition
Jack Burns, The Free Thought Project
Waking Times
It took 33 years but Robocop is now here. Well, not exactly, but the rise of the police state fueled by advancements in technology has given birth to a heads-up display equipped helmet sure to please the most anxious of peace officers. It’s called a “Smart Helmet” and it can screen airport passengers for symptoms the COVID-19 virus as well as provide the scanning officer with other vital records.
Public officials in Flint, Michigan cannot provide clean drinking water to their residents but travelers to Bishop International Airport can get a glimpse of the new robotic cop helmets where they’re currently deployed.
Under the guise of screening passengers for COVID-19, the Smart Helmet, produced by KeyBiz based in Italy, can scan travelers’ body temperatures from over 20 feet away.
But the Smart Helmet is not limited to temperature body scans which any laser guided thermometer can do, not in the slightest. Facial recognition software is installed which can provide the police officer with information related to outstanding warrants, if an individual is identified on a terror watch list or a no-fly list, and can read license plates for outstanding warrants, stolen vehicle information, criminal histories, etc. Even if you are completely innocent, you will be subject to these scans.
Temperature scans can be done at a distance of 21 feet or less. The helmets have already been deployed in Italy and elsewhere around the world. Michigan’s ABC12 reports if someone’s temperature is in excess of 100.4 degrees, more investigation into the traveler’s health will be conducted to determine if the passenger is too sick to travel.
Anyone who isn’t a passenger who registers a temperature above 100.4 degrees will be asked to leave the terminal building after police conduct some limited coronavirus contact tracing to find out what areas of the building may have been exposed.
We at TFTP have warned our readers for quite some time the COVID-19 pandemic would be used as an onus for a greater invasion of privacy. Some of us here at TFTP are old enough to remember when boarding a plane was a simple as buying a ticket and getting aboard. Fast forward nearly 20 years and there are quite a few things which happen the minute your ticket is purchased.
First, your name, age, and birth date are checked to see if you’ve been added to a terror watch list, a no-fly list or otherwise. Then, when you’re cleared to travel, you must soon possess a “Real ID,” Without it (come October) you won’t be allowed to fly. Upon arrival to the airport, your identification is scanned and further checked in databases for any flags which may arise.
Afterward, all of your pockets must be emptied, your shoes taken off, your belts, hats, and metal jewelry removed. You’re placed into a sniffing device to check to see if you’re carrying the scent of bomb making materials.
Next, your entire body image is scanned. Later, a total stranger may pat you down and grope your private parts as you wait for the all clear sign to be given at which time you can retrieve your belongings. But that’s only if the X-ray technician doesn’t think your hand sanitizer has too many ounces in its container.
Now, it seems Mr. Robocop will take your temperature against your will, search through your criminal history and examine your facial features. All of these things will likely be cataloged in another alphabet agency’s database.
The entire invasion of privacy will fall under the auspices of fears surrounding a fairly mild pandemic using slogans like “it’s for your health and safety.” And you thought it was about keeping America safe from terrorism. Think again, this makes me long for the good ol’ days when the only danger in flying was smelling like cigarette smoke from all the puffers aboard.
About the Author
Jack Burns writes for TheFreeThoughtProject.com, where this article first appeared.


wakingtimes--2020-08-31--German Court Overturns Protest Ban – Massive Anti-Lockdown March To Go Ahead

Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
Earlier in the week , we reported that authorities in Berlin had banned a series of planned demonstrations against the country ’ s COVID-19 lockdown measures – claiming they were organized by “ right-wing extremists ” and would lead to the spread of the virus .
The city said it would deploy several thousand police around the German capital this weekend , citing threats .
Notably , the German city did not ban a June Black Lives Matter protest in which approximately 15,000 people turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom had 17,000 registered demonstrators for the August 29 event before Berlin shut it down .
“ We are still in the middle of a pandemic with rising infection figures , ” said Berlin Interior Minister , Andreas Geisel .
“ This is not a decision against freedom of assembly , but a decision in favor of infection protection , ” he continued , adding that Berlin should not be “ misused as a stage for corona deniers… and right-wing extremists.
” About 20,000 people , including libertarians , constitutional loyalists , far-right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin on Aug. 1 .
But now , as Off-Guardian reports , the Berlin Senate ’ s decision to ban the coronavirus protest planned for this weekend has been overturned by the Administrative Court .
That said , the protest will still be under some restrictions – the court ruled that the organizers must follow all the laws and restrictions they are protesting against .
According to a report from Deutsche Welle : …the judges said protest organizers and participants must provide barriers in front of the stages where speeches will be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe social distancing rules and keep their distance .
Wearing masks was not included in the judge ’ s guidelines for the protest .
The court ’ s decision can be appealed by the Senate , but given the timeframe that seems unlikely at this stage .
Many thousands were reportedly traveling to Berlin regardless , as it was thought the protest organizers intended to go ahead in spite of the ban .
A similar protest on August 1st ( pictured above ) drew tens of thousands of people .
The Berlin protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world for a global day of action .
Protests are planned for London , Ottawa , Paris and Zurich .

German Court Overturns Protest Ban – Massive Anti-Lockdown March To Go Ahead
Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
Waking Times
Earlier in the week, we reported that authorities in Berlin had banned a series of planned demonstrations against the country’s COVID-19 lockdown measures – claiming they were organized by “right-wing extremists” and would lead to the spread of the virus.
The city said it would deploy several thousand police around the German capital this weekend, citing threats.
Notably, the German city did not ban a June Black Lives Matter protest in which approximately 15,000 people turned out.
Meanwhile, the Assembly for Freedom had 17,000 registered demonstrators for the August 29 event before Berlin shut it down.
“We are still in the middle of a pandemic with rising infection figures,” said Berlin Interior Minister, Andreas Geisel. “This is not a decision against freedom of assembly, but a decision in favor of infection protection,” he continued, adding that Berlin should not be “misused as a stage for corona deniers… and right-wing extremists.”
About 20,000 people, including libertarians, constitutional loyalists, far-right supporters and anti-vaccination activists, marched in Berlin on Aug. 1.
But now, as Off-Guardian reports, the Berlin Senate’s decision to ban the coronavirus protest planned for this weekend has been overturned by the Administrative Court.
That said, the protest will still be under some restrictions – the court ruled that the organizers must follow all the laws and restrictions they are protesting against.
According to a report from Deutsche Welle:
…the judges said protest organizers and participants must provide barriers in front of the stages where speeches will be held – and must regularly remind participants to observe social distancing rules and keep their distance. Wearing masks was not included in the judge’s guidelines for the protest.
The court’s decision can be appealed by the Senate, but given the timeframe that seems unlikely at this stage.
Many thousands were reportedly traveling to Berlin regardless, as it was thought the protest organizers intended to go ahead in spite of the ban. A similar protest on August 1st (pictured above) drew tens of thousands of people.
The Berlin protest is taking place alongside other events around the world for a global day of action. Protests are planned for London, Ottawa, Paris and Zurich.
By Tyler Durden | Creative Commons | Zero Hedge


wakingtimes--2020-09-01--Behavioral Modification – UK Covid Response Steered by Psychologists at the Behavioral Insights Team

Behavioral Modification – UK Covid Response Steered by Psychologists at the Behavioral Insights Team Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
In a recent speech to thousands of of people at the Unite for Freedom rally in London , banned , deplatformed , and censored truth-teller , David Icke , spoke about the fascistic nature of the global governmental response to Covid-19 .
Commenting on the fact that the UK ’ s response has not been prepared by medical experts , or even doctors , Icke pointed out that the response has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ namely by an organization known as The Behavioral Insights Team .
“ This , this whole subjugation and imposition of fascism on the human race worldwide is being run , not by health professionals even , but by psychologists just down the road there , yards from where we are .
The British government ’ s own private company called The Behavioral Insights Team , and it ’ s job is simply to study human psychology and then to play out what it ’ s learned to modify the behavior of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our kids more than anyone .
What they don ’ t want us to know , the biggest mind trick they play on us is this : they want us to believe that authority has power .
Authority has no power !
Authority ’ s power the world over is only our power which we give to them !
” ~David Icke The Behavioral Insights Team ( BIT ) is one of Britain ’ s many public policy-making organizations , although it was privatized in 2014 , in what is noted as , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privatised civil servants responsible for policy decisions.
” “ The Behavioural Insights Team ( BIT ) , also known unofficially as the “ Nudge Unit “ , is a social purpose organisation that generates and applies behavioural insights , officially to inform policy and improve public services , but using social engineering and techniques in psychology to influence public thinking / decision making and improve compliance with government policy .
BIT works in partnership with governments , local authorities , non-profits , and businesses to tackle major policy problems .
Originally set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nudge theory within British government , BIT became a social purpose limited company in 2014 .
[ 1 ] Its work now spans across seven offices , having run more than 750 projects in and conducted over 500 randomised controlled trial ( RCTs ) .
The Behavioural Insights Team is headed by psychologist David Halpern.
” [ Source ] Admittedly employing psychology and social engineering in the advancement of official government policy , the BIT is also known as the ‘ Nudge Unit , ’ a rather telling use of language .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and while surprisingly sparse , the posts on this page offer a glimpse of BIT ’ s vision for a post lockdown world , where human behavior is even more tightly regulated and controlled by big brother .
Commenting on the opportunity that Covid presents , the BIT notes : “ It is rare for us to have a collective moment to reflect and an opportunity to reset a range of individual and collective behaviours for the better .
Countries are at different points in this journey , and the UK and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends in New Zealand , which has now lifted all COVID restrictions , about which behaviours stick and which need more of a nudge in the right direction .
Collectively , we can and should use this unprecedented period of disruption to help bring about positive changes in people ’ s habits and behaviours to create a new and better normal.
” [ Source ] In other words , the BIT wants to play a role in helping to modify human behavior for the ‘ new normal.
’ So , if you thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old normal , you should know that one of the most influential private companies in the UK is employing cutting edge behavioral science and research to ‘ nudge ’ you and your family into obediently adopting an entirely new way of life .
In an article entitled ‘ Life After Lockdown : An Opportunity for Change ?
, ’ the BIT highlights three areas where permanent change will be needed : education , travel , and diet .
That is , how you learn , where you go and how you get there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quotes from this stand out .
Firstly , this one suggesting that apps can be used to direct people onto government preferred routes , which would require real-time tracking and tracing of citizens ’ whereabouts .
Furthermore , the BIT suggests that the ground could be marked with actual footprints to show people precisely where to walk and where to stand .
In the following example , the BIT suggests that online vendors , who are replacing brick and mortar stores during Covid as the lockdown shutters businesses , could be encouraged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that influences people ’ s buying habits in accordance with the aims of government .
The closing paragraph of this article comments on the idea that the Covid crisis can be advantageously used to ‘ reset ’ a range of behaviors , presumably behaviors which , at present , are unfavorable to the government ’ s agenda of increased behavioral control .
“ It is rare for us to have a collective moment to reflect and an opportunity to reset a range of individual and collective behaviours for the better .
Countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the UK and others should seek to learn from our friends in New Zealand , which has now lifted all COVID restrictions , about which behaviours stick and which need more of a nudge in the right direction .
Collectively , we can and should use this unprecedented period of disruption to help bring about positive changes in people ’ s habits and behaviours to create a new and better normal.
“ In another article entitled , ‘ Life After Lockdown : A Strong and Sustainable Economic Recovery , ’ the BIT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal finances of citizens .
In the following paragraph it is implied that the government could watch the personal bank balances of citizens , and give people recommendations on what to do with their money .
It ’ s not that much of a stretch of the imagination to envision the government ’ s perfect world , where people walk and stand where they are supposed to , where people unwittingly make purchases based on unseen influences , and where people are told what to do with their money .
Alex Pietrowski is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle .
He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com .
Alex is an avid student of Yoga and life .
This article ( Behavioral Modification – UK Covid Response Steered by Psychologists at the Behavioral Insights Team ) originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Alex Pietrowski and WakingTimes.com .

Behavioral Modification – UK Covid Response Steered by Psychologists at the Behavioral Insights Team
Alex Pietrowski, Staff Writer
Waking Times
In a recent speech to thousands of of people at the Unite for Freedom rally in London, banned, deplatformed, and censored truth-teller, David Icke, spoke about the fascistic nature of the global governmental response to Covid-19. Commenting on the fact that the UK’s response has not been prepared by medical experts, or even doctors, Icke pointed out that the response has actually been largely orchestrated by psychologists, namely by an organization known as The Behavioral Insights Team.
“This, this whole subjugation and imposition of fascism on the human race worldwide is being run, not by health professionals even, but by psychologists just down the road there, yards from where we are. The British government’s own private company called The Behavioral Insights Team, and it’s job is simply to study human psychology and then to play out what it’s learned to modify the behavior of the population, and they’re focusing on our kids more than anyone. What they don’t want us to know, the biggest mind trick they play on us is this: they want us to believe that authority has power. Authority has no power! Authority’s power the world over is only our power which we give to them!” ~David Icke
The Behavioral Insights Team (BIT) is one of Britain’s many public policy-making organizations, although it was privatized in 2014, in what is noted as, “the first time the government has privatised civil servants responsible for policy decisions.”
According to Wikipedia:
“The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), also known unofficially as the “Nudge Unit“, is a social purpose organisation that generates and applies behavioural insights, officially to inform policy and improve public services, but using social engineering and techniques in psychology to influence public thinking / decision making and improve compliance with government policy. BIT works in partnership with governments, local authorities, non-profits, and businesses to tackle major policy problems. Originally set up within the UK Cabinet Office to apply nudge theory within British government, BIT became a social purpose limited company in 2014.[1] Its work now spans across seven offices, having run more than 750 projects in and conducted over 500 randomised controlled trial (RCTs). The Behavioural Insights Team is headed by psychologist David Halpern.” [Source]
Admittedly employing psychology and social engineering in the advancement of official government policy, the BIT is also known as the ‘Nudge Unit,’ a rather telling use of language. The BIT website features a section on Covid-19, and while surprisingly sparse, the posts on this page offer a glimpse of BIT’s vision for a post lockdown world, where human behavior is even more tightly regulated and controlled by big brother.
Commenting on the opportunity that Covid presents, the BIT notes:
“It is rare for us to have a collective moment to reflect and an opportunity to reset a range of individual and collective behaviours for the better. Countries are at different points in this journey, and the UK and others should seek to learn from our friends in New Zealand, which has now lifted all COVID restrictions, about which behaviours stick and which need more of a nudge in the right direction. Collectively, we can and should use this unprecedented period of disruption to help bring about positive changes in people’s habits and behaviours to create a new and better normal.” [Source]
In other words, the BIT wants to play a role in helping to modify human behavior for the ‘new normal.’ So, if you thought you were going to return to the old normal, you should know that one of the most influential private companies in the UK is employing cutting edge behavioral science and research to ‘nudge’ you and your family into obediently adopting an entirely new way of life.
In an article entitled ‘Life After Lockdown: An Opportunity for Change?,’ the BIT highlights three areas where permanent change will be needed: education, travel, and diet. That is, how you learn, where you go and how you get there, and what you eat. Some quotes from this stand out. Firstly, this one suggesting that apps can be used to direct people onto government preferred routes, which would require real-time tracking and tracing of citizens’ whereabouts.
“Cities could encourage these shifts by working with apps like Citymapper and Google Maps to recommend quieter or more pleasurable routes, or encourage people to skip their last interchange or walk the last mile of their journey.”
Furthermore, the BIT suggests that the ground could be marked with actual footprints to show people precisely where to walk and where to stand.
“Schools or employers could also use this chance to prompt parents, pupils and employees to consider walking or cycling, potentially by marking footpaths with footprints leading to schools or introducing reduced speed limits or car restrictions around schools or city centres to reinforce this change, as Milan have indicated they will do.”
In the following example, the BIT suggests that online vendors, who are replacing brick and mortar stores during Covid as the lockdown shutters businesses, could be encouraged to structure their online stores in a way that influences people’s buying habits in accordance with the aims of government.
“Online supermarkets could use this change in habit to alter the choice architecture of their sites to encourage healthier and more environmentally sustainable food choices.”
The closing paragraph of this article comments on the idea that the Covid crisis can be advantageously used to ‘reset’ a range of behaviors, presumably behaviors which, at present, are unfavorable to the government’s agenda of increased behavioral control.
“It is rare for us to have a collective moment to reflect and an opportunity to reset a range of individual and collective behaviours for the better. Countries are at different points in this journey, and the UK and others should seek to learn from our friends in New Zealand, which has now lifted all COVID restrictions, about which behaviours stick and which need more of a nudge in the right direction. Collectively, we can and should use this unprecedented period of disruption to help bring about positive changes in people’s habits and behaviours to create a new and better normal.“
In another article entitled, ‘Life After Lockdown: A Strong and Sustainable Economic Recovery,’ the BIT discusses possible ways of interfering in the personal finances of citizens. In the following paragraph it is implied that the government could watch the personal bank balances of citizens, and give people recommendations on what to do with their money.
“They could prompt customers with higher-than-usual balances on their current accounts to split their spare money between an ‘indulgence’ pot to be spent as lockdown easens and a ‘savings’ pot for rainy days. The recommended default split could be adapted to each customer’s individual need and capability to build a rainy day savings buffer.”
It’s not that much of a stretch of the imagination to envision the government’s perfect world, where people walk and stand where they are supposed to, where people unwittingly make purchases based on unseen influences, and where people are told what to do with their money.
Read more articles by Alex Pietrowski
About the Author
Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com. Alex is an avid student of Yoga and life.
This article (Behavioral Modification – UK Covid Response Steered by Psychologists at the Behavioral Insights Team) originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Alex Pietrowski and WakingTimes.com.


wakingtimes--2020-09-01--Study Suggests That LSD Microdoses Could Replace Opiates For Pain Management

Study Suggests That LSD Microdoses Could Replace Opiates For Pain Management Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
According to a new study published in the journal Psychopharmacology , microdoses of LSD could be an effective tool for pain management .
In recent years , there have been many studies testing how psychedelic substances like LSD can be used to help with a variety of different mental illnesses , but this is the first study in over 50 years to explore its use as a pain killer .
Considering how addictive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , this could be a massive breakthrough .
The study was conducted by researchers with the Beckley Foundation and Maastricht University .
Amanda Feilding , Founder , and Director of the Beckley Foundation said that this breakthrough could potentially help with the opiate addiction crisis .
“ The present data suggests low doses of LSD could constitute a useful pain management treatment option that is not only effective in patients but is also devoid of the problematic consequences associated with current mainstay drugs , such as opioids .
Over 16 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disorder and many more will become hooked as a result of oversubscription of pain medication , ” she said in a press release from the Beckley Foundation .
Feilding added that more research is needed to figure out exactly how the substance interacts with the brain to suppress pain .
“ I am encouraged by these results as I have long believed that LSD may not only change the sensations of pain but also our subjective relationship with it .
We must continue to explore this with the aim of providing safer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring people in pain a step closer to living happier , healthier and fully expressed lives , ” Feilding said .
The results of the study showed that 20 microgram doses of LSD significantly reduced the patient ’ s perception of pain .
Jan Ramaekers , lead researcher on the study and Professor of Psychopharmacology and Behavioral Toxicology at Maastricht University , said that the pain relief experienced by patients on microdoses of LSD was comparable to harsh opiates like oxycodone and morphine .
“ This study in healthy volunteers shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analgesic effect in the absence of a psychedelic effect , as assessed with a cold pressure tests .
The magnitude of the analgesic effect appears comparable to analgesic effects of opioids in the same pain model .
These findings strongly encourage clinical trials in pain patients to assess the replicability and generalizability of these findings , ” Ramaekers said .
According to the most recent numbers from the CDC , more than 67,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2018 , and almost 70 % of those deaths involved a prescription or illicit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and journalist who takes a special interest in the counter culture , and focuses solutions-oriented approaches to social problems .
He is also a host of The Free Your Mind Conference and The Free Thought Project Podcast .

Study Suggests That LSD Microdoses Could Replace Opiates For Pain Management
John Vibes, Truth Theory
Waking Times
According to a new study published in the journal Psychopharmacology, microdoses of LSD could be an effective tool for pain management. In recent years, there have been many studies testing how psychedelic substances like LSD can be used to help with a variety of different mental illnesses, but this is the first study in over 50 years to explore its use as a pain killer. Considering how addictive and dangerous the painkillers currently on the market are, this could be a massive breakthrough.
The study was conducted by researchers with the Beckley Foundation and Maastricht University. Amanda Feilding, Founder, and Director of the Beckley Foundation said that this breakthrough could potentially help with the opiate addiction crisis.
“The present data suggests low doses of LSD could constitute a useful pain management treatment option that is not only effective in patients but is also devoid of the problematic consequences associated with current mainstay drugs, such as opioids. Over 16 million people worldwide are currently suffering from Opioid Use Disorder and many more will become hooked as a result of oversubscription of pain medication,” she said in a press release from the Beckley Foundation.
Feilding added that more research is needed to figure out exactly how the substance interacts with the brain to suppress pain.
“I am encouraged by these results as I have long believed that LSD may not only change the sensations of pain but also our subjective relationship with it. We must continue to explore this with the aim of providing safer, non-addictive alternatives to pain management, and to bring people in pain a step closer to living happier, healthier and fully expressed lives,” Feilding said.
The results of the study showed that 20 microgram doses of LSD significantly reduced the patient’s perception of pain. Jan Ramaekers, lead researcher on the study and Professor of Psychopharmacology and Behavioral Toxicology at Maastricht University, said that the pain relief experienced by patients on microdoses of LSD was comparable to harsh opiates like oxycodone and morphine.
“This study in healthy volunteers shows that a low dose of LSD produces an analgesic effect in the absence of a psychedelic effect , as assessed with a cold pressure tests. The magnitude of the analgesic effect appears comparable to analgesic effects of opioids in the same pain model. These findings strongly encourage clinical trials in pain patients to assess the replicability and generalizability of these findings,” Ramaekers said.
According to the most recent numbers from the CDC, more than 67,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2018, and almost 70% of those deaths involved a prescription or illicit opioid.
About the Author
John Vibes is an author and journalist who takes a special interest in the counter culture, and focuses solutions-oriented approaches to social problems. He is also a host of The Free Your Mind Conference and The Free Thought Project Podcast.
Image: rolffimages


wakingtimes--2020-09-01--‘Sentenced To Isolation Prisons!’ – College Students Across America Are Being Subjected To A Horrid

‘ Sentenced To Isolation Prisons !
’ – College Students Across America Are Being Subjected To A Horrid Psychological Experiment Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
College , long a fun and liberating experience for many young adults , has , as The Ron Paul Insitute ’ s Adam Dick details below , become a dreary and oppressive experience for many students living under the weight of a multitude of restrictions imposed at American college campuses in the name of countering coronavirus .
These restrictions are absurd from the perspective of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is not particularly dangerous .
This is especially the case for the teen and twenty-something students .
For these relatively young college students , coronavirus generally poses very little risk of death .
Further , most such young adults experience zero symptoms to minor sickness from coronavirus infection .
I have written about the draconian restrictions imposed at college campuses in the name of countering coronavirus , with some focus on Duke University , Syracuse University , and the University of Texas and Texas A & M .
These are not handpicked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed uniquely harsh rules in the name of countering coronavirus .
The problem is present at many college campuses across America , and it is devastating for many students .
Over at The Mass Illusion , Jordan Schachtel has collected testimonials of students who are living in depressing prison-like conditions at college campuses across America… “ The first two weeks of the semester have been very different .
At my university , I have to stay in my dorm .
Since my college courses are all online , keep in mind without any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not gotten to leave our dorm to make friends .
One way we socialize is opening up our dorm window & talking to people who are walking to their cars or back to their dorms .
Another thing we have to do is take a daily COVID report , if we do not pass this test , we are not allowed to leave our dorm and will not be allowed to go anywhere at school .
As well as a daily COVID report , we can only enter and exit through specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our keys to entering certain ways .
For example , if we are walking back from the dining hall , we have to walk to the parking lot behind our dorm to enter our building .
This can actually be very dangerous if we find ourselves in a situation we need to enter through the front door & can ’ t because it ’ s locked .
All my classes are online .
Though they are all online , I am still required to stay on campus , pay for on campus housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Interim suspensions if they break any of the “ rules “ including attending/participating in on campus or off campus gatherings of more than 10 .
Last weekend when we moved in our child , off-campus housing , helicopters were buzzing over the houses , there are people basically roaming around and spying on kids to bust them and we knew exactly what they were looking for .
Large gatherings .
It ’ s insane .
Daily check-in ‘ s of health prior to being allowed off campus .
If you think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you imagine what they have now ?
I get the common sense stuff but I really wondered what country we were living in with all of this excess surveillance.
” “ In June when housing deposits were due they said ‘ in person classes , no masks outside ’ no mention of tests .
All positive and happy and there ’ d be football .
My daughter …really wanted to go back to college as not being there … in the college environment , isolated at home was causing a lot of depression.. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours before the students move in week was to begin , OSU changed all the rules .
It ’ s a dystopian hell.
” “ Our son spent his first nights at college alone .
No welcome dorm pizza party .
No meeting the kids on his floor .
He walked campus alone .
You can ’ t eat in the cafeteria so take out food back to your room .
Masks required everywhere , in Baton Rouge in August .
Outside .
I don ’ t know how the kids aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One class is a ‘ learn on your own ’ and take a test .
No instruction .
He did manage to do virtual rush and joined a fraternity .
He said it was the only way to meet anyone .
His roommate did not rush and sleeps all day .
The school wants them to report symptoms daily on an app .
They have testing pods all over campus and want all the kids to get tested .
If you do test positive they force you into a hotel – alone for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room save for one hour a day with a mask on .
They turn off their room cards so they can ’ t escape back to their dorms .
We get emails weekly advising us to support our kids getting a test and ; behaving ; so they don ’ t have to close the campus .
It ’ s sick .
What are we doing ?
Why ?
If LSU does close and send the kids home we won ’ t go back .
Why pay out of state tuition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids of their college experiences ?
I ’ m just sick about this every day .
I hope someone can break thru the COVID fog and be brave .
Our kids deserve it.
” “ This is a horrible way to go to college .
[ Daughter ] was in tears last night about the prospect of the mandatory immediate quarantine while waiting for the test , as she has heard from others that it was taking 27+ hours to get the tests back on the slow days .
She is worried that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A lot of people are giving these kids grief for complying with mask orders , but I can tell you that these kids are just desperate for a return to normalcy .
They had everything taken away from them for 6 months , and are so afraid that it will happen again .
As far as why parents would send their kids back , my daughter has a really good scholarship – [ most ] of her tuition is paid .
We can ’ t risk losing it because we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without good financial aid .
What we are doing to this generation of kids is awful … common sense has been missing from this debate for months.
” It is heartbreaking to read of the forced conversion of an often positive and social campus life into a degrading and isolating confinement .
By Tyler Durden / Republished with permission / Zero Hedge Like Waking Times on Facebook .
Follow Waking Times on Twitter .

‘Sentenced To Isolation Prisons!’ – College Students Across America Are Being Subjected To A Horrid Psychological Experiment
Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
Waking Times
College, long a fun and liberating experience for many young adults, has, as The Ron Paul Insitute’s Adam Dick details below, become a dreary and oppressive experience for many students living under the weight of a multitude of restrictions imposed at American college campuses in the name of countering coronavirus.
These restrictions are absurd from the perspective of protecting people’s health given that coronavirus is not particularly dangerous. This is especially the case for the teen and twenty-something students. For these relatively young college students, coronavirus generally poses very little risk of death. Further, most such young adults experience zero symptoms to minor sickness from coronavirus infection.
I have written about the draconian restrictions imposed at college campuses in the name of countering coronavirus, with some focus on Duke University, Syracuse University, and the University of Texas and Texas A&M. These are not handpicked examples of campuses whose college administrators have imposed uniquely harsh rules in the name of countering coronavirus. The problem is present at many college campuses across America, and it is devastating for many students.
Over at The Mass Illusion, Jordan Schachtel has collected testimonials of students who are living in depressing prison-like conditions at college campuses across America…
University of Alabama
“The whole thing is a bait and switch. We’re being forced to pay to attend Zoom classes in our rooms all semester. A few of my friends didn’t even come back to town, and I don’t blame them. Why would they when they can get the same education at home? I only have two in person classes. Both meet one day a week. One is optional to go on Zoom if you prefer. The other allows five students in class at once. We’re going on shifts so Week 1 the first five go, then Week 2 the second five go, etc.” I love this university but if I knew when I was in high school that I’d be staying in my room all day, I would’ve never gone to any college.”
Tulane University
“No gatherings over 15 people. Everyone’s mental health is crumbling. Nobody is even sick and those who quarantine follow the rules. School requires asymptomatic testing and there’s no end in sight . My guy and girl friends are all miserable . So many have been like this is prison we can’t do anything. All bars closed in Louisiana. We gather at local parks and the cops come to shut it down. No fun ever allowed and no end in sight.”
University of Iowa
“They have ‘isolation dorms’ for COVID kids, but they are horrid. Guys in hazmat suits come … 2 week isolation, no visitors. Nurse on call but up to 3 hour wait if you need something … kids at school now are not getting tested so they don’t get sentenced to the isolation prisons.”
Middlebury College
“Students had to sign a health pledge that they had no say in developing. All students are confined to dorm rooms until COVID test comes back negative. No one is allowed off campus until at least September 15. No visitors on campus all year. School has a google form so that people can snitch on non-compliers. Town is terrified of students returning. This is in a county in Vermont that has had 5 cases and the entire state had 55 deaths. They have cancelled all fall athletic competitions. Students are back on campus, but most classes will be remote, with of course a 3% tuition increase. Professors active on reopening committees, so it is not surprising that they are pro lockdown. Local state senator wrote to [school president] and called college reckless for bringing kids back. They all want to live in a bubble, take the money that the college brings to the community, but have no actual interaction.”
Southern Methodist University
“Students must wear masks outside dorm rooms, cannot visit another dorm, etc. Threatened with draconian honor code violations if they violate the rules and orientation was declared all virtual at the last minute. Yet today, the athletes, with permission of and active participation by the University, were permitted to organize a BLM march through campus.”
University of Tennessee-Martin
“The first two weeks of the semester have been very different. At my university, I have to stay in my dorm. Since my college courses are all online, keep in mind without any tuition deduction, my friends and I have not gotten to leave our dorm to make friends. One way we socialize is opening up our dorm window & talking to people who are walking to their cars or back to their dorms. Another thing we have to do is take a daily COVID report, if we do not pass this test, we are not allowed to leave our dorm and will not be allowed to go anywhere at school. As well as a daily COVID report, we can only enter and exit through specific doors. The university has cut off our keys to entering certain ways. For example, if we are walking back from the dining hall, we have to walk to the parking lot behind our dorm to enter our building. This can actually be very dangerous if we find ourselves in a situation we need to enter through the front door & can’t because it’s locked. All my classes are online. Though they are all online, I am still required to stay on campus, pay for on campus housing, and buy a meal plan.”
University of South Carolina
“Roommates are terrified of making a mistake regarding masks, distancing and gatherings … the President basically ‘yells’ everyday that this is not sustainable and is threatening to shut it all down … kids are just waiting for the hammer to drop.” “It’s horrific. After four months of quarantine with no friends, she was desperate to go to campus so we encouraged it. I am sick with worry every day. Not about the virus. About the mental anguish and social isolation they are forcing on our kids.”
Vanderbilt University
“No roommates … all online classes, no in person activities, dining halls closed, libraries closed except under very strict guidance, no visiting another dorm room, 6-ft distance at all times, masks mandatory when not in dorm room, cannot leave the Nashville area, circles drawn on quad area, threats of suspension/expulsion for first offense, security guards posted throughout campus to enforce rules, kids encouraged to report non-compliance, etc. After having been on campus for a week, my daughter has not met nor spoken to a single person. She is in her dorm room in front of her computer at almost all times, and the only times she really leaves are when she picks up her to-go meals. This is a very depressing situation.”
College in University of Texas system
“All but made it impossible for Baptist Student Ministries to meet. Their meeting rooms are on campus and have to be cleaned 4 times a day. People have to remain 6 feet apart, mandatory masks at all times, temperature checks as people arrive, and student ID cards have to be swiped for contact tracing.” Student “wants to fight back but feels helpless, not knowing who may be reporting her actions. Very, very Soviet-like.”
University of Dayton
“They aren’t even letting kids go to class at all … it’s all on Zoom.”
Arizona State University
“We have one of the most ridiculous systems in the country. You are supposed to submit a daily health check on the ASU app which consists of 2 questions. If by any chance you forget to do that, your college account is put on hold. I am also a student worker … and I have to sit at a desk. There is no one around me for 6ft, yet they make me wear a mask for 6 hours of my shift. They do the same to students who are in a lab and are using the computers. Even when there is no one around you you are supposed to wear a mask. I still don’t know if masks work or not but making students wear them for hours and hours is ridiculous. “
The Ohio State University
Testimonial 1: “Interim suspensions if they break any of the “rules“ including attending/participating in on campus or off campus gatherings of more than 10. Last weekend when we moved in our child, off-campus housing, helicopters were buzzing over the houses, there are people basically roaming around and spying on kids to bust them and we knew exactly what they were looking for. Large gatherings. It’s insane. Daily check-in‘s of health prior to being allowed off campus. If you think this generation has anxiety issues before, can you imagine what they have now? I get the common sense stuff but I really wondered what country we were living in with all of this excess surveillance.” Testimonial 2: “In June when housing deposits were due they said ‘in person classes, no masks outside’ no mention of tests. All positive and happy and there’d be football. My daughter …really wanted to go back to college as not being there … in the college environment, isolated at home was causing a lot of depression.. so we let her go. 48 hours before the students move in week was to begin, OSU changed all the rules. It’s a dystopian hell.”
College in University of Texas system
“Everyday, I hear of some new restriction or rule that students are required to follow. Things have been even more significantly tightened even during this first week of school. Perhaps the most obvious instance is the Housing Department’s obsession with keeping students away from one another. Before the first week of school, Housing sent a decree stating that students were prohibited to have more than one guest in our apartments or dorm rooms at a time. This past Wednesday, three days after the beginning of the semester, a new email: we were now forbidden to have any guests whatsoever. Over the summer, new security cameras have been installed in the hallways of all buildings, aimed at residents’ doors.”
Johns Hopkins University
Testimonial 1: “1. 6 weeks ago, hybrid. Everyone back but sophomores kicked out of dorms, must rent a house or off campus to make room for freshman in singles. Jrs/Srs usually live off campus. 2. 3 weeks ago reverse course. Campus CLOSED do not come back. Sorry you signed a binding legal lease. 3. Many kids in apt/houses are going back (they ARE paying rent after all), to remote learn. 4. Couple off campus kids test +. 5. Hopkins sends threatening letter…no matter where you are, if you break Hopkins rules with masks, social distancing and being with more than 10 people, you can be expelled. 6. They urge people to rat on each other, and kids start FB page just for ratting.” Testimonial 2: “Just dropped my son (who is an athlete) off at Johns Hopkins. They shut down. Cowards. He lives off campus. His friends at Ohio St team may quit because it’s PRISON! Other places as well. Stay in your room, meals delivered to your dorm only allowed out 3 times. Insanity.”
St Lawrence University
“1 positive case out of 2k tests. Kids limited to ‘family groups’ and no more than four in dorm room. Masks when outside dorm and wrist band indicates you can go outdoors. Very limited social interaction.”
Louisiana State University (LSU)
“Our son spent his first nights at college alone. No welcome dorm pizza party. No meeting the kids on his floor. He walked campus alone. You can’t eat in the cafeteria so take out food back to your room. Masks required everywhere, in Baton Rouge in August. Outside. I don’t know how the kids aren’t fainting. All classes online. One class is a ‘learn on your own’ and take a test. No instruction. He did manage to do virtual rush and joined a fraternity. He said it was the only way to meet anyone. His roommate did not rush and sleeps all day. The school wants them to report symptoms daily on an app. They have testing pods all over campus and want all the kids to get tested. If you do test positive they force you into a hotel – alone for 14 days. Not allowed out of the room save for one hour a day with a mask on. They turn off their room cards so they can’t escape back to their dorms. We get emails weekly advising us to support our kids getting a test and ;behaving; so they don’t have to close the campus. It’s sick. What are we doing? Why? If LSU does close and send the kids home we won’t go back. Why pay out of state tuition for Zoom? Why are we depriving our kids of their college experiences? I’m just sick about this every day. I hope someone can break thru the COVID fog and be brave. Our kids deserve it.”
Western Carolina University
“Mandatory masking inside and OUTSIDE. Cafeterias are closed with take out food and long line. Families had until Aug 1 to decide whether to send kids and accept a no refund policy if kids were sent home. This meant you were on the hook for all loans and payments even if services were no longer provided. Of course at that time, classes reported as hybrid. Two weeks in, most classes have now switched to online only.”
Miami University of Ohio
“Ordered via an email to quarantine immediately so they could contact trace athletes … Ordered into an abandoned dorm immediately that wasn’t intended to be occupied this year. No supervision or help with moving. No elevators. Not cleaned. Communal bathrooms which makes no sense. didn’t matter if u hadn’t been to parties or around anyone who tested positive. Threatened with class 2 misdemeanor by the sheriff and code of conduct violation aka loss of scholarship if u went home. Most are now finally released. Campus is now testing 3000 students a week once the general student pop returns on 9/17. At any time you can be forced back into quarantine for 14 days due to contract tracing. The students are now not wanting to be around anyone else. They are told to ‘to treat every person as If they are sick’ so they don’t get caught in a contact tracing web so they essentially are being told to not interact with others but were forced to live in double occupancy which now makes them judge everything the roommate does because if your roommate is contact traced you are forced back into jail.”
Virginia Tech
“Only 15 people allowed to gather. Masks required outside their room anywhere..inside or out. All classes are online. Only 1 person can visit room and masks must be worn. Immediate suspension if caught violating. This is inhumane. It’s prison.”
Syracuse University
“My son goes to Syracuse – entirely dorm room bound and all classes online. As he was coming from out of state he and all other out-of-staters had to arrive two weeks early and they were dorm bound and had food delivered to the rooms. He received this hysterical message sent to the students on August 20th:”
Creighton University
“11 days to get the required COVID test back. Isolated the whole time. No in person eating at the dorms as a norm. Training in the heat with masks for hours. Masks 24/7 on campus inside and out. Social isolation. 2 classes a week in person, everything else virtual. Can’t come home until end of fall semester as you can’t travel more than 100 miles from Omaha. Aren’t allowed to go anywhere or do anything except local restaurant pick ups and run to the store. If you are mildly exposed to a person with COVID, 14 day mandatory quarantine.”
College of Charleston
Anon 1: “They are forcing them to all get tested, they can’t have anyone at all in their dorms, all common areas are closed except laundry. A lot of places to eat are still closed. Charleston has a mask mandate. They’ve got these kids, especially first year students terrorized.” Anon 2: “Mandatory masks and distancing or face suspension on 1st offense. Dorm policy even more draconian.”
College in University of Texas system
My son is a Freshman. All his classes are online. He chose to live on campus in order to experience a semblance of college life. In his giant dormitory, his room is only one with three guys. They have knocked on doors in their hall trying to meet people, and have been chastised and hassled by the RAs for being ‘radicals’ for simply reaching out to others. The chow hall staff does not allow these roommates to sit together at the same table. Tables are a radius six feet apart. Every interaction is actively discouraged. The general school population has adhered to the solitary confinement model. [Students] keep their heads down, masks on, and avoid even saying ‘hello’ walking around campus. My son has said their fear is palpable.”
Colgate University
“They have a very restrictive plan which we respect for managing COVID… but there’s nothing to manage the student’s personal experience. Even with negative tests… very restrictive. All classes are online. He can’t even socialize with the other students in the dorm. 1 hour outside once in a while … this was his time to mature, and become more independent. It’s been the equivalent of House Arrest with a stranger which would have been tolerable if things were allowed to open up. He can’t even go outside to speak on the phone in private.”
Rice University
“Weekly COVID tests. Can’t eat in the dining halls but are given meals in take out containers to be eaten in the dorm room. In person classes can’t be more than 25 and of course, masks required inside at all times except in your own room. Wearing mask when walking to class in the oppressive humidity. [Athletes] have to workout wearing masks! The coaches and trainers have to wear masks and face shield plus gloves. Players can’t use the locker rooms or team rooms this season! This is all crazy and sad!”
Boston College
“This is a horrible way to go to college. [Daughter] was in tears last night about the prospect of the mandatory immediate quarantine while waiting for the test, as she has heard from others that it was taking 27+ hours to get the tests back on the slow days. She is worried that she might be an asymptomatic case. A lot of people are giving these kids grief for complying with mask orders, but I can tell you that these kids are just desperate for a return to normalcy. They had everything taken away from them for 6 months, and are so afraid that it will happen again. As far as why parents would send their kids back, my daughter has a really good scholarship – [most] of her tuition is paid. We can’t risk losing it because we don’t have the means to pay for college without good financial aid. What we are doing to this generation of kids is awful … common sense has been missing from this debate for months.”
Lehigh University:
“In late July they announced the move to remote classes. This basically kicked them all off campus and caused a scramble for kids to secure off campus rental housing since the kids want to be at school. The university has all these COVID rules that they apply to these kids OFF Campus. Such as no gatherings of 10 or more people. They have enhanced their Hawk Watch security app to include one’s ability to rat out kids that are gathering together in excess. They are setting these kids up to fail at this because college kids are going to do what college kids do.”
University of Arkansas
“The housing staff, in particular the student staff, are really out for blood … the student staff wants people suspended for any and every infraction. Weve pumped so much fear down people’s throats for 6 months that I believe we are well past grace and patience.”
Wesleyan University
My child’s university is testing them twice per week & they must quarantine for two full weeks upon arrival, even if they test negative! They are not allowed visitors on campus & no one is allowed to leave, the entire semester! An asymptomatic positive test will result in isolation at a Hotel the university rented! What a scam! These are all human rights violations! No contact with friends, family or even known physicians for what, so the university can profit & the students will ‘learn’ to comply & become reliant/dependent. Kitchens are closed so they can’t even cook! No one was allowed to help them move in either! Single girls were literally trying to lug refrigerators across campus & up flights of stairs. No help was provided or allowed! As you probably know, many dorms do not have air conditioning.”
University of Wyoming
I can attest the stories coming out of universities really are as bad as people claim. They are online with classes until the end of September when kids will attend massively socially distanced/ hybrid classes. After the thanksgiving break, students then will leave campus and have finals online. We are being sent COVID saliva tests and any positives are treated like the plague even though there’s not a single case on campus. My university isn’t as bad as the others mentioned but I have a feeling when they get back to campus things will be worse. Im taking this as a gap year because I refused to comply with the draconian mask orders. It was bad enough I had to pay for three months rent after vacating school last month.”
University in PAC-12 Conference
My daughter had three COVID tests (they lost one) and an antibody test that she actually tested positive for. She had COVID in March. They told her that because she tested positive for the antibodies they were going to treat it as COVID and have her isolate until they could do a heart screening. She could not participate in her sport until done. We, her parents, asked if we could have her get a heart screening from a local doctor so to expedite things. They said no, they only want their own team to do the screenings. To top things off, she has to go before a counsel on Monday to defend herself from being at a gathering of no more than 30 people where someone has tested positive for Covid. She was told there could be a consequence for her actions.”
Baylor University
“The university has announced that there will be weekly mandatory tests … If any student refuses to take the COVID-19 test, they are subject to suspension or expulsion. Students are not making friends with their classmates … No one can recognize who’s who with a mask on, so there has been a significant increase of phone usage on campus and a significant decrease of socialization. Students show up for their in-person class, sit there, and head back to their apartment as soon as they are finished with classes. Everyone expects to move online before the semester is over. We all suspect that the university is postponing the move so that they can get the full tuition without much grounds for a lawsuit.”
Colorado State University Pueblo
“My daughter … was there not even 24 hours and was sent to quarantine because she ‘might’ have come into contact with someone who was in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. They made the students leave their own rooms and moved them into a room and they couldn’t bring their own bedding. The food they drop off is a frozen sandwich, orange, chips and soda The have to stay there for 14 days and won’t even test them. No outside testing is even allowed. The admin don’t know what they’re doing nor do they let them outside. They make the locks not work.”
College in Alabama
“The plan was to have in person classes, but a few weeks before the fall semester, everything went online. Even chemistry is being taught online, which truly boggles my mind. No in person tutoring sessions, no student activities, and virtual advising appointments are being pushed heavily. Students in the dorms (because somehow it’s safe to have people living on campus, but not going to class there?), must wear a mask in any of the dorm common areas, and congregating is only allowed in the laundry room and kitchen. No visitors. To their credit, they’re sending students who test positive home instead of locking them up on campus, but they’re only being given 24 hours to vacate the dorm. We get students from all over the state, not just local kids. And contact tracing is being pushed even if someone has a slight fever and nothing else.”
University of North Alabama
“We’re not allowed to have any visitors, nor are we allowed to go anywhere on campus without a mask. This makes no sense to me considering many of my peers commute and do not wear a mask at home and see different people every single day. I was also randomly selected, along with another 25% of the student population, to go get another COVID test done even though I was already tested a little over two weeks ago, receiving a negative test, showing no symptoms and completing my health check every day saying I don’t have any symptoms. And finally, most of my classes have been moved online due to COVID and social distancing.”
It is heartbreaking to read of the forced conversion of an often positive and social campus life into a degrading and isolating confinement.
By Tyler Durden / Republished with permission / Zero Hedge
Like Waking Times on Facebook. Follow Waking Times on Twitter.


wakingtimes--2020-09-03--The Seven Reasons We Obey Authority

The Seven Reasons We Obey Authority

The Seven Reasons We Obey Authority Get the latest Waking Times articles delivered to your inbox .
Sign up here .
Rebels are a very important part of society , but they rarely get the recognition they deserve .
They help us break through old norms and keep us from falling into groupthink .
However , human nature urges most of us to remain in our comfort zone even when it means less freedom or more difficult problems down the road .
Why is it the case that so many people ignore the outside world or pass it off as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaches their own doorstep ?
In a recent video , Brittany Sellner ( Brittany Pettibone before she married ) describes the seven reasons men obey authority , even when it is against their best interest .
“ As everybody knows , habits are extremely difficult to break and even if we have gripes about the state of things , accepting our imperfect reality seems better to us than taking on the daunting prospect of change .
Conversely… habit ceases to be a reason for obedience in times of political crisis ; kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a consequence of Covid .
Despite many of us not wanting to alter our habits , our habits were forcibly altered for us.
” “ The second reason for obedience is moral obligation which is obviously a motive that is very often found in religion , but politically speaking… some see it as a moral obligation to ‘ 1 ) obey for the good of society , ’ 2 ) ‘ due to the ruler having superhuman factors such as being a supernatural being or a deity , ’ which isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many Americans… 3 ) People see it as a moral obligation to obey because they ‘ perceive the command as being legitimate , owing to its source an issuer ’ .
For example , a mayor or a police officer [ would be considered under this reason ] , and 4 ) People see it as a moral obligation to obey due to ‘ conformity of commands to accepted norms.
’ For example , most people believe that a command such as not committing murder is a moral command and therefore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason for obedience is self-interest and this is perhaps one of the more common motives nowadays .
For example , most big corporations are immoral and seek to piggy-back off of current social and political trends in order to gain money , status , and approval .
Just look at all the corporations that suddenly became ‘ champions of social justice ’ after the death of George Floyd ; none of them gave a crap about police brutality and Black Lives Matter until it became in their interest to care .
This self-interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Famous and non-famous people have a lot to gain by falling in line , or… there is also a negative self-interest wherein the person doesn ’ t obey simply because they ’ re going to gain something but so they won ’ t lose everything : their reputations , jobs , social standing and future career prospects.
” “ Lastly , the seventh and final reason for obedience is the absence of self confidence among subjects , meaning that many people simply don ’ t have sufficient confidence in themselves , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves capable of disobedience and resistance .
Thanks to the internet , I observe this motive quite often .
Thousands of people decry on the daily that they ’ re miserable with the state of things and yet they do nothing because they have no confidence in their personal ability to lead , to organize a peaceful protest , to start a movement and so on.
” Although authority can be legitimate and meaningful , resistance to unnecessary acts of violence or draconian government injustice is often better for the individual and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although this is certainly not a comprehensive list , perhaps it will help you to better understand your own role in life and greater society .
About the Author Phillip Schneider is a staff writer and assistant editor for Waking Times .
For more of his work , you can visit his Website , Facebook Page , or follow him on the free speech social network Minds .
This article ( Brittany Sellner Explains the Seven Reasons We Obey Authority ) originally appeared at PhillipSchneider.com and may be re-posted freely with proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copyright statement .

The Seven Reasons We Obey Authority
Phillip Schneider, Staff Writer
Waking Times
Rebels are a very important part of society, but they rarely get the recognition they deserve. They help us break through old norms and keep us from falling into groupthink. However, human nature urges most of us to remain in our comfort zone even when it means less freedom or more difficult problems down the road.
Why is it the case that so many people ignore the outside world or pass it off as somebody else’s problem until it reaches their own doorstep? In a recent video, Brittany Sellner (Brittany Pettibone before she married) describes the seven reasons men obey authority, even when it is against their best interest.
#1 Habit
“As everybody knows, habits are extremely difficult to break and even if we have gripes about the state of things, accepting our imperfect reality seems better to us than taking on the daunting prospect of change. Conversely… habit ceases to be a reason for obedience in times of political crisis; kind of similar to what we are experiencing now as a consequence of Covid. Despite many of us not wanting to alter our habits, our habits were forcibly altered for us.”
#2 Moral Obligation
“The second reason for obedience is moral obligation which is obviously a motive that is very often found in religion, but politically speaking… some see it as a moral obligation to ‘1) obey for the good of society,’ 2) ‘due to the ruler having superhuman factors such as being a supernatural being or a deity,’ which isn’t something that I think applies to too many Americans… 3) People see it as a moral obligation to obey because they ‘perceive the command as being legitimate, owing to its source an issuer’. For example, a mayor or a police officer [would be considered under this reason], and 4) People see it as a moral obligation to obey due to ‘conformity of commands to accepted norms.’ For example, most people believe that a command such as not committing murder is a moral command and therefore, they obey it.”
#3 Self-Interest
“The third reason for obedience is self-interest and this is perhaps one of the more common motives nowadays. For example, most big corporations are immoral and seek to piggy-back off of current social and political trends in order to gain money, status, and approval. Just look at all the corporations that suddenly became ‘champions of social justice’ after the death of George Floyd; none of them gave a crap about police brutality and Black Lives Matter until it became in their interest to care. This self-interest can of course also extend to individuals. Famous and non-famous people have a lot to gain by falling in line, or… there is also a negative self-interest wherein the person doesn’t obey simply because they’re going to gain something but so they won’t lose everything: their reputations, jobs, social standing and future career prospects.”
#4 Psychological Identification with the Ruler
“The fourth reason for obedience is psychological identification with the ruler, meaning that people have a close emotional connection with the ruler, regime, or the system. I imagine you would have encountered a lot of this in, for example, Communist Russia or Nazi Germany.”
#5 Zones of Indifference
“The fifth reason for obedience is an extremely common one today and that is ‘zones of indifference,’ meaning that even if people are not fully satisfied with the state of things, they have a margin of indifference or a margin of tolerance for the negative aspects of their society and government.”
#6 Fear of Sanctions
“The sixth reason for obedience is the most obvious reason… and that is ‘fear of sanctions,’ which generally involve the threat or the use of some form of physical violence against the disobedient subject and induce obedience by power merely coercive, a power really operating on people simply through their fears.”
#7 Absence of Self Confidence
“Lastly, the seventh and final reason for obedience is the absence of self confidence among subjects, meaning that many people simply don’t have sufficient confidence in themselves, their judgement, and their capacities to make themselves capable of disobedience and resistance. Thanks to the internet, I observe this motive quite often. Thousands of people decry on the daily that they’re miserable with the state of things and yet they do nothing because they have no confidence in their personal ability to lead, to organize a peaceful protest, to start a movement and so on.”
Although authority can be legitimate and meaningful, resistance to unnecessary acts of violence or draconian government injustice is often better for the individual and his society and shows greater character than inaction. Although this is certainly not a comprehensive list, perhaps it will help you to better understand your own role in life and greater society.
Watch Brittany Sellner’s analysis on BitChute:
Read more articles by Phillip Schneider.
About the Author
Phillip Schneider is a staff writer and assistant editor for Waking Times. For more of his work, you can visit his Website, Facebook Page, or follow him on the free speech social network Minds.
This article (Brittany Sellner Explains the Seven Reasons We Obey Authority) originally appeared at PhillipSchneider.com and may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author credit, and this copyright statement.


wakingtimes--2020-09-03--Questions Of Our Time – An Opportunity To Find Our Quiet Awareness?

An Opportunity to Find our Quiet Awareness ?
An appropriate way to open this short essay is with a quote from a poem .
In this case , an extract from Rudyard Kipling ’ s If – If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you , If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you , But make allowance for their doubting too ; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting , Or being lied about , don ’ t deal in lies , Or being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hating… Yours is the Earth and everything that ’ s in it… Two things in particular pop out to me from this poem .
One is the act of , as we say , ‘ holding one ’ s own.
’ And the other , is the act of allowance and allowing others to be who they are .
In this current period of escalating disquiet and unease , it is becoming easier for any one of us to lose the grip on our centre – and to also ‘ lose it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising dissonance in social relations , and this aspect is likely to become fraught with increasing tension .
Humans are relational by nature – as social beings – and we naturally form a range of external entanglements .
It is these entanglements , both physical and energetic , that are liable to feel the strain as social alliances become a site of discord .
The point here , as Kipling says , is that we must ‘ keep our heads.
’ Modern life already provides enough stimulation for the average person .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be entering a period of over-stimulation – in terms of information , mis-information , and social anxiety .
There is little doubt that many societies and communities are going to experience further tensions in their social relations and alliances .
The current situation around the ‘ health security ’ issue is going to be expressed through the people as much as it is through our institutions of power and the media .
Each person is not only going to be making their own decisions and making up their own minds – they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people ’ s decisions and opinions .
And these may clash ; especially so if some people decide to forcefully project their opinions onto others .
Yet if people start to squabble amongst themselves , then they are inadvertently taking the focus away from the real issues .
Social tension and disturbances are a form of social distraction from what are the real issues .
And the real issues are about needing to distinguish between what are necessary truths and what are deliberate lies .
At this time , great energies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is crucial that each person employ their critical thinking rather than jumping into unconscious action .
In these times , we need to transcend our polarities and manufactured differences .
It is also likely that during this period , and beyond , there is going to be simultaneously a rising distrust in orthodox institutions .
Many people may begin questioning everything – from themselves , to their friends , communities , their faith , and the cultural and social institutions that they once trusted to tell them the truth and to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time an urgency to choose ; whilst others may also experience dissonance for not wanting , or knowing how , to choose at all .
Aspects of the human condition are going to come to the fore and be in the spotlight , perhaps unlike any time before .
As social beings , people exist within a great tapestry of external entanglements that also tug and sway at them – more than they realize .
Also , many of these entanglements are energetic and emotional , and they affect us personally .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a word , a look , a ‘ feel.
’ Many of us may become more sensitive now to such impacts as a feeling of social anxiety , distrust , uncertainty , and general doubt and insecurity begin to rise .
It will be vital not to allow situations and circumstances , no matter how unexpected , to take us away from ourselves .
It is a time to bring it all back and gather it in , and to not be so willing to throw oneself ‘ back out , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person moves away from their centre of gravity – the more they are dispersed and engaged in external entanglements – then the less grounded a person is .
It is time now to find our individual foundations and to build strong upon them – they shall be needed .
With critical observation , a person should be able to sense when someone , or something , continues to bring their energy down , and to act upon this observation .
Every person has the capacity to break free from this .
We should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this knowing .
It is no longer beneficial to be clinging to outdated energy attachments or relations .
What served us once may no longer be of constructive benefit .
It is time to choose our relations as we choose our alliances .
What worked once may well not work for now .
If anything , it is a time to realize , and choose , those relations that feed and continue to raise our energies .
It may be a time to be closer to family and friends – especially those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As we become more conscious about our relations , so should we choose to be in contact with those who empower us and strengthen our well-being .
We each need to know exactly where we are , and not just physically but , importantly , energetically , emotionally , and psychologically .
By allowing ourselves , we also allow other people .
By not judging ourselves , we are non-judgmental also for others .
We need to feel into and to sense where we each are in relation to this current transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit each person to know that which feels heavy and outdated .
It is an opportunity for slowing down our participation in less meaningful endeavors and to redirect to those pursuits that provide a sense of balance and calm .
It is time for quietness to be redefined as not boredom but peacefulness .
Humanity has entered a disruptive phase of its collective life and various waves of disturbance will be manifesting across societies and cultures .
We can call this a time of transition , as many do .
The question is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this question is answered , we shall experience different forces at play vying for their agendas and preferred outcomes .
These contesting forces are going to be providing many impacts and stimulation , as well as creating more confusion and friction between people .
These are times when potential entanglements can pull people in and , before it can be realized , we find ourselves reacting with emotion and energy that drains us .
We have always been encouraged to take an active part in our lives , and to not be afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are generalizations and can not be applied to all occasions and all circumstances .
We need to observe the context in any given situation .
Some people may believe that they need stimulus and excitement ; yet more often than not this is just a condition we have become used to .
There are always times when we need to step back , and to find a place or moment of quiet awareness .
And to breathe deeply .
To relax some of the entanglements that tie us up .
Take a look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
External forces/people/organizations are telling us to choose one thing over another ; one category over another ; one belief over another .
We are being pushed to accept a narrative by dismissing others .
And each time we make such choices , we are limiting ourselves in the creation of a customized bubble that surrounds us .
And this is a dangerous time to be living within bubbles .
The more we build our bubbles , the more we create separations in our lives .
We create separations from those things we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Modern life has somehow taken a road of division and separation rather than unity .
The life experience has become compartmentalized .
It is similar to the process of brainwashing where the subject is programmed to compartmentalize their mind – but now this is upon a global scale .
Human society is being driven into compartmentalized units by such topics as race , sexuality , religion , ideals , beliefs , and much more .
Yet these , at their core , are just mental positions .
Some people refer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the items we learn to identify with – I am ‘ this ’ type of person who ‘ believes ’ in ‘ this ’ and not ‘ that.
’ It is as if we are a child in a pick-and-mix sweet shop , filling our bags with our preferred sweets .
The more we travel down this path , the more we narrow the parameters for our life experience .
And the longer we have these additions fixed onto our life experience , the more rigid and heavy becomes our life .
Travelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling light .
Whilst some things are accumulated during the life experience , other things should be allowed to fall away .
And at all times , we should each seek those moments to find a place for quiet awareness – and to breathe deeply .
If we take time to breathe , we shall find that what makes a life experience flow smoother is not burdening ourselves with heavy energetic entanglements but rather with embodying conscious conciliation .
By actively seeking positive resolution , we allow things to move on rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porous instead of a thick viscous membrane that allows no new things in or no old things out .
In these times of increasing uncertainty , there is no space for unconsciously attaching to external identities , categories , or manipulated agendas .
Rather the contrary – we need to be fluid , observant , and in a good personal space .
And then from this space we can consciously choose conciliation rather than being drawn into conflicts that are not ours .
If I would say anything , it would be this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quiet moments .
Do not run from being alone with yourself .
Breathe deeply and do it frequently .
And take time to seek those opportunities for a space of quiet awareness .
Become the observer .
And keep your customized life bubbles porous .
And pilgrim – buen camino .
Kingsley L. Dennis is the author of Bardo Times : hyperreality , high-velocity , simulation , automation , mutation – a hoax ?
, The Phoenix Generation : A New Era of Connection , Compassion , and Consciousness , and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meaning in a Technological Age , available at Amazon .
Visit him on the web at http : //www.kingsleydennis.com/ .
Like Waking Times on Facebook .
Follow Waking Times on Twitter .

Questions Of Our Time – An Opportunity To Find Our Quiet Awareness?
Kingsley L. Dennis, Contributor
Waking Times
An Opportunity to Find our Quiet Awareness? An appropriate way to open this short essay is with a quote from a poem. In this case, an extract from Rudyard Kipling’s If – If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating… Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it…
Two things in particular pop out to me from this poem. One is the act of, as we say, ‘holding one’s own.’ And the other, is the act of allowance and allowing others to be who they are. In this current period of escalating disquiet and unease, it is becoming easier for any one of us to lose the grip on our centre – and to also ‘lose it’ with others. There is a rising dissonance in social relations, and this aspect is likely to become fraught with increasing tension. Humans are relational by nature – as social beings – and we naturally form a range of external entanglements. It is these entanglements, both physical and energetic, that are liable to feel the strain as social alliances become a site of discord. The point here, as Kipling says, is that we must ‘keep our heads.’
Modern life already provides enough stimulation for the average person. Now, social and cultural conditions are liable to be entering a period of over-stimulation – in terms of information, mis-information, and social anxiety. There is little doubt that many societies and communities are going to experience further tensions in their social relations and alliances. The current situation around the ‘health security’ issue is going to be expressed through the people as much as it is through our institutions of power and the media. Each person is not only going to be making their own decisions and making up their own minds – they are also going to be exposed to other people’s decisions and opinions. And these may clash; especially so if some people decide to forcefully project their opinions onto others. Yet if people start to squabble amongst themselves, then they are inadvertently taking the focus away from the real issues. Social tension and disturbances are a form of social distraction from what are the real issues. And the real issues are about needing to distinguish between what are necessary truths and what are deliberate lies. At this time, great energies of discord are at the human frontier. It is crucial that each person employ their critical thinking rather than jumping into unconscious action. In these times, we need to transcend our polarities and manufactured differences.
It is also likely that during this period, and beyond, there is going to be simultaneously a rising distrust in orthodox institutions. Many people may begin questioning everything – from themselves, to their friends, communities, their faith, and the cultural and social institutions that they once trusted to tell them the truth and to protect them. Many may feel at this time an urgency to choose; whilst others may also experience dissonance for not wanting, or knowing how, to choose at all. Aspects of the human condition are going to come to the fore and be in the spotlight, perhaps unlike any time before. As social beings, people exist within a great tapestry of external entanglements that also tug and sway at them – more than they realize. Also, many of these entanglements are energetic and emotional, and they affect us personally. We react instantaneously to external nudges whether it be a word, a look, a ‘feel.’ Many of us may become more sensitive now to such impacts as a feeling of social anxiety, distrust, uncertainty, and general doubt and insecurity begin to rise. It will be vital not to allow situations and circumstances, no matter how unexpected, to take us away from ourselves. It is a time to bring it all back and gather it in, and to not be so willing to throw oneself ‘back out,’ so to speak. The more a person moves away from their centre of gravity – the more they are dispersed and engaged in external entanglements – then the less grounded a person is. It is time now to find our individual foundations and to build strong upon them – they shall be needed.
With critical observation, a person should be able to sense when someone, or something, continues to bring their energy down, and to act upon this observation. Every person has the capacity to break free from this. We should trust ourselves now, and act from this knowing. It is no longer beneficial to be clinging to outdated energy attachments or relations. What served us once may no longer be of constructive benefit. It is time to choose our relations as we choose our alliances. What worked once may well not work for now. If anything, it is a time to realize, and choose, those relations that feed and continue to raise our energies. It may be a time to be closer to family and friends – especially those with whom there is a shared positive resonance. As we become more conscious about our relations, so should we choose to be in contact with those who empower us and strengthen our well-being. We each need to know exactly where we are, and not just physically but, importantly, energetically, emotionally, and psychologically. By allowing ourselves, we also allow other people. By not judging ourselves, we are non-judgmental also for others. We need to feel into and to sense where we each are in relation to this current transition that is upon us. It will benefit each person to know that which feels heavy and outdated. It is an opportunity for slowing down our participation in less meaningful endeavors and to redirect to those pursuits that provide a sense of balance and calm.
It is time for quietness to be redefined as not boredom but peacefulness.
Humanity has entered a disruptive phase of its collective life and various waves of disturbance will be manifesting across societies and cultures. We can call this a time of transition, as many do. The question is – a transition to what? Until this question is answered, we shall experience different forces at play vying for their agendas and preferred outcomes. These contesting forces are going to be providing many impacts and stimulation, as well as creating more confusion and friction between people. These are times when potential entanglements can pull people in and, before it can be realized, we find ourselves reacting with emotion and energy that drains us. We have always been encouraged to take an active part in our lives, and to not be afraid to ‘jump in.’ Yet these are generalizations and cannot be applied to all occasions and all circumstances. We need to observe the context in any given situation. Some people may believe that they need stimulus and excitement; yet more often than not this is just a condition we have become used to. There are always times when we need to step back, and to find a place or moment of quiet awareness. And to breathe deeply. To relax some of the entanglements that tie us up.
Take a look at what is going on around you. External forces/people/organizations are telling us to choose one thing over another; one category over another; one belief over another. We are being pushed to accept a narrative by dismissing others. And each time we make such choices, we are limiting ourselves in the creation of a customized bubble that surrounds us. And this is a dangerous time to be living within bubbles. The more we build our bubbles, the more we create separations in our lives. We create separations from those things we have excluded from our ‘customized’ world. Modern life has somehow taken a road of division and separation rather than unity. The life experience has become compartmentalized. It is similar to the process of brainwashing where the subject is programmed to compartmentalize their mind – but now this is upon a global scale. Human society is being driven into compartmentalized units by such topics as race, sexuality, religion, ideals, beliefs, and much more. Yet these, at their core, are just mental positions. Some people refer to these as ‘identities.’ These are the items we learn to identify with – I am ‘this’ type of person who ‘believes’ in ‘this’ and not ‘that.’ It is as if we are a child in a pick-and-mix sweet shop, filling our bags with our preferred sweets. The more we travel down this path, the more we narrow the parameters for our life experience. And the longer we have these additions fixed onto our life experience, the more rigid and heavy becomes our life.
Travelling a full life is perhaps more about travelling light. Whilst some things are accumulated during the life experience, other things should be allowed to fall away. And at all times, we should each seek those moments to find a place for quiet awareness – and to breathe deeply.
If we take time to breathe, we shall find that what makes a life experience flow smoother is not burdening ourselves with heavy energetic entanglements but rather with embodying conscious conciliation. By actively seeking positive resolution, we allow things to move on rather than clinging to us. Our bubbles become porous instead of a thick viscous membrane that allows no new things in or no old things out. In these times of increasing uncertainty, there is no space for unconsciously attaching to external identities, categories, or manipulated agendas. Rather the contrary – we need to be fluid, observant, and in a good personal space. And then from this space we can consciously choose conciliation rather than being drawn into conflicts that are not ours. If I would say anything, it would be this: don’t be afraid of the quiet moments. Do not run from being alone with yourself. Breathe deeply and do it frequently. And take time to seek those opportunities for a space of quiet awareness. Become the observer. And keep your customized life bubbles porous. And pilgrim – buen camino.
About the Author
Kingsley L. Dennis is the author of Bardo Times: hyperreality, high-velocity, simulation, automation, mutation – a hoax?, The Phoenix Generation: A New Era of Connection, Compassion, and Consciousness, and The Sacred Revival: Magic, Mind & Meaning in a Technological Age, available at Amazon. Visit him on the web at http://www.kingsleydennis.com/.