XIII
Inquirer: How can I stay healthy
in body and mind?
Robert Waxman: All psychological
disturbances must be attended to with intelligence, skill and proper medical treatment. The inner part of you must be balanced
so future illness does not arise. Within your body, you are building your future temple. When you feel lonely, distraught
or angry, you must create a calm and bright spiritual outlook. You must change your perceptions and take a step back from
the emotions of the moment. You’ll need to take an honest, objective look at the causes of your distress and put your
situation in its proper perspective. Then, you’ll be able to rise above your negative thoughts and return to a state
of equilibrium.
Inq: So, controlling my moods will help to restore
my equilibrium?
RW: Yes, AWE will teach you how to understand your moods and how to overcome them by producing new thoughts of a cheerful nature.
This is how you build a healthy body.
Inq: What should I do when I’m stuck in a bad
mood?
RW: AWE will teach you that bad moods can be builders of character. These episodes in your life will be a test of your mental
strength and moral integrity. You can face these situations with courage and overcome them. You always have the power to change
your thoughts and stop thinking, “the worst is yet to come”. By observing your thoughts, you’ll learn about
yourself and how your mind works. You should continue to observe your thoughts consciously and deliberately. Soon you’ll
begin to understand that you are the architect and engineer of your mind and body. Even medical science has admitted that
a passionate spiritual life can be beneficial to healing and maintaining a healthy body.
XIV
Inq: Why is it so important for everyone to understand
the teachings of AWE?
RW: It’s vitally important to counteract the
degenerative tendencies of humanity. As you participate in this effort to sustain timeless ethics and morals, you’ll
be exerting a spiritualizing influence on all human life.
Inq: Can you give me an example of a degenerative
tendency?
RW: The competitive academic and social pressure that
parents impose on their children is one example. Some parents set up such a hectic schedule for their children that they’re
rarely home after school or on weekends. Many parents encourage fierce competition and bitter rivalries among their children.
If parents are not encouraging their children to follow their heart’s desire, they are displaying a downward tendency.
Inq: …and what would be considered an “upward”
tendency?
RW: Here are just a few: spending time with friends
and family, understanding and tolerating other’s viewpoints, cooperating in volunteer efforts, extending true friendliness,
eliminating violent or abusive behavior and living in a natural state of unselfishness and kindness. Most importantly, in
the words of Joseph Campbell, say to your children, “follow your bliss.”
Inq: Some would say that’s idealism not realism.
RW: Yes, these modes of human behavior are ideals
for us to strive for and live up to. That’s how idealism becomes realism.
XV
Inq: Is there something wrong with the collective
values of society?
RW: There are many analysts, writers, commentators
and speakers, who feel there’s something radically wrong with our collective consciousness. You’ll hear them speak
about this subject for hours but relatively few can tell you what should be done about it.
Inq: What are some of the problems that are caused
by a sinking collective consciousness?
RW: We can start with the exploitation and depletion
of our natural resources with little regard for conservation. The consequences are erosion of soil, devastation of forests,
pollution of the air and water, floods, droughts, and creation of poisonous wastelands. This is just one of a thousand examples
I could give you. These artificial ways of our “civilized” lifestyle tend to isolate us from a true understanding
and appreciation of nature.
Inq: So, how can society solve these problems?
RW: To counteract humanity’s disregard for the
future of the planet, there must be ethical, cultural and organizational efforts to instill within the next generation, a
sense of moral and social responsibility.
Inq: Why do most people ignore information about the
condition of the earth?
RW: Information, while useful, is not AWE.
True ideas are rooted in AWE. The mistake is made, quite often, that lack of information is synonymous with lack
of AWE. Sometimes, we think that a well-informed person is wiser than an uninformed person. True AWE is based on the power to know. You must be able to see beyond appearances
and recognize Truth. Those who have this sense of advanced intuition will automatically understand the deteriorating condition
of the planet. These individuals are trying to warn us about the inevitable consequences coming in the future.
Inq: Why can’t humanity tap into its collective
Power of AWE and start to replenish the earth?
RW: Right now the world is in a state of discord.
An inverted mode of thinking prevails that goes against the essence of AWE. Environmentalism and conservationism are unpopular. The prevailing collective consciousness is not concerned about
fuel efficiency, developing alternate fuels, disposing of nuclear and biomedical waste, the destruction of the ozone layer,
global warming, the declining quality of air and drinking water and the extinction of vital plant and animal species.
Inq: So, what can be done to lift the collective consciousness
of humanity?
RW: We must try to cultivate our ability to appreciate
the delicate balance of nature. We must honor and respect the importance of the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms. We must
develop a sympathetic understanding of nature’s divine architecture and recognize it as a precious gift that should
never be taken for granted. By using our intuitive knowledge of AWE we’ll be able to avoid future catastrophes.
Each kingdom of nature must express itself as originally designed. When this type of collective consciousness becomes a reality
throughout the globe, there will be a golden age of progress - beyond your imagination - that will finally ignite the collective,
worldwide, Power of AWE!