The first part of the Prime Directive states that as members of the human species it is in our nature and to our benefit to seek pleasure and avoid pain for ourselves and others. To seek means to attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something. Throughout the Handbook, Dr. M. encourages U to strive to be in Peaceful Space and to Create Peaceful Space with others. To seek implies some kind of mental or physical effort, so Dr. M. also outlines the benefits to U and to others who make that effort.
To avoid means to keep away from or stop oneself from doing something. In the Letters to U, Dr. M. describes the Unpredictable Negative Consequences that are generated in the Ojiji Aiye (the Shadow World) by our negative thoughts and actions, and he explains how those negative forces take form and work their way back into the Pataki Aiye (the Material World). Don't you see and feel the unnecessary pain that people inflict on each other everyday? Does it feel like simple civility is losing in its battle against disrespect, rudeness, and outright disregard? What do you think?
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Oh yes! I can turn on the T.V. any time of the week and watch world news to hear the trepidation that people inflict on each other every day. For instance, CNN World Reporter, Cohen (2009) states that the six-year Darfur, Sudan war continues to bring death upon its people although considerably less than the 300,000 deaths throughout its history. Furthermore, in September’s Sudan Tribune (as cited by Cohen), it describes the state of conditions in the displacement camps. It states: "Nor does 'low-intensity' describe the present soul-destroying nature of existence within the camps: the relentless privations, the pervasive threats to health, the loss of hope, the acute sense of abandonment, and the anger and despair that relentlessly haunt daily existence.".
References:
Cohen, T. (2009, December). Darfur violence becoming a forgotten war. Retrieved on December 11th 2009 from http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/10/sudan.darfur/index.html
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