Cruelty is so common today. We see it in the actions of most governments, in our families, in our entertainment, and in our children. It runs throughout all societies, and few ever deeply question the cause of it. We have accepted it as a normal part of our lives.

   In the U.S., we see how easy it is to go to war with people who have done nothing to us. They say they are bringing democracy and freedom to the enemy, while killing thousands of innocent people, and destroying their country. We see deformed children from the militaries use of depleted nuclear fuel rods made into warheads. And they act as though they are doing some kindness to these poor people by helping them become a society like the U.S. The U.S. is a very ill society, as most societies are.

   We see children killing children, parents killing their own children, and most people killing animals without a thought to how cruel that is.

   We are killing our environment in the name of progress and greed. We are being cruel to ourselves by destroying our home, and few really care.

   What is the cause of such thoughtless cruelty? You guessed it, the ego. Every time a man beats his wife or children, every time we put down someone for not being like us, every time we destroy another part of our forests, streams, rivers, and lakes, it is ego behind it all.

   We could say it is ignorance that allows such cruelty, but educated, capable, people, do most of the cruel acts taking place in the world. It is ignorance that is the problem. But it is the ignorance of what is really going on within our minds.

The ego is just an invented process of images identifying as a single, separate, individual being. It sees what it is conditioned to see, and believes it is seeing reality. Nothing it sees is real. Not that a tree is not real as itself, but the ego doesn’t see the real tree, for instance, it only sees its knowledge about a tree, its usefulness, its capacity to bring in profit, and perhaps its name. If we see a forest as something separate from our own life force, then it seems okay to destroy it. If we see another person as separate from us, then it is okay to do what we will.

   Slavery was okay for those in power. So the cruelty of enslaving people went unnoticed by most people in power. We are still enslaved by an unjust cruel system when it pays so little minimum wage that a person can only afford food, and the most basic necessities of life while those in power make millions. We see the, so-called, developed countries take advantage of the poorer countries for profit. We could not do this if it were not for our ability to remain blind to what is going on within our minds.

   We see children bullying one another to the point of one killing others out of frustration, rage, and hatred. We wonder how this can be? “What was wrong with that child? He/she must have been insane!” Those children were just expressing the society the ego has developed. From the time they were born they have seen thousands of killings and acts of cruelty as entertainment. They see our leaders going off to war, and killing millions of people in the name of god and country. In our movies we are brought to hate those who are seen as evil, and cheer when the “evil one” is killed. It has become a good thing to kill the evil ones, but we are all evil ones to someone.

   In some parts of the world it is seen as the “right” thing to do an honor killing of our sisters, wives, and children if they have dishonored the family. How incredibly cruel! We will kill, and cause such terribly suffering in the name of our self- image.

   So often it is our women, and children, who suffer the most from the egos wrath. We harm the most loving and gentle part of humanity. That is not to say that women and children are free of cruelty, but they are far less apt to be openly cruel than men.

   Religion is one of the cruelest diseases of any society. Not only do they teach people to feel guilty for just being human, and try to put so many horrible images into their minds, but also they feel it is their right to kill, or at least change the beliefs of those who see things differently. They do not realize that they are just based in images about reality, but are not real at all. Even if the founders of religions have seen, and understood reality, the followers have so altered their understanding that it is no longer true. Religious people do not see how cruel their religions are because they have been conditioned to think and act that way, no matter how insane it is to those who are not conditioned by such beliefs. They make their followers blind and fearful of questioning their own beliefs, so the nightmare goes on century after century.

   We do not need to be cruel. It is not a part of a healthy human being. Imagine what a world we would have if we all ended our acts of cruelty. We all have the capacity to love built in from birth. Deep down we know what is right and decent. We need no one to tell us this, yet we rarely see it because of the ego conditioning we all suffer from. We have become so detached from our real being, and blind to our actions. If we do not awaken to what is going on, and make a real effort to transform this world, there is little hope for any of us.

   The Universe has always been heading toward harmony, to a balance, and poise, which can be expressed as love. But if we destroy our home, and continue our blind cruelty, we, at least on this planet, will fail to mature into that harmony. If we take our part in this seriously, we will do all we can to find our own  harmony, and express it in our daily lives. We can bring about the transformation that will lead to real justice and freedom for all life. We have many problems that need to be solved but with the ending of ego, we will see the facts as they are, and act with intelligence and love in finding answers to solve those problems.

   Life does not have to be lived in fear. It can be a celebration of Life where all work together for the good of every other part of Life. It will not be easy, but cruelty can, and must, end. Each of you can do your part to help change our lives from insanity to sanity and loving-kindness. When we see what we are facing it can make us feel it is hopeless. But you can change yourself, which is the most anyone can expect to do. And your transformation can help your family, and friends to transform. It is our Life, and how it is lived is up to each one of us.  It is our responsibility, not some god off in space. We are the tools of transformation.