Equality is primarily about establishing a society that is fair to all its members.  It is not about economic equality as this appears unattainable but is concerned about providing the same treatment to everybody regardless of economic standing.  Even so, it remains a tall order to achieve.

Many factors that have been embedded by society, practices, and traditions, often end up presenting obstacles to the attainment of equality.  Gender, age, work positions, and money have exerted their own influence in how society looks at equality which can be very confusing.  There is a need to focus on the universal meaning since personal meanings are typically subjective.  Subjective interpretations always end up providing unequal treatment  to those affected.  It will always be in favor of one and to the detriment of another.

Equality is easier said than done, easier to legislate than to put in practice, and easier as a vision than a course of action.  More than any form of equality, it is social equality that is often put to the test. This will in effect be equal rights under the law regardless of sex, race, origin, class, age, and sexual orientation.  This will also include equality regardless of beliefs, religion, opinion, language, and state of health.

Perfect equality is nowhere to be found in the real world.  It remains an elusive dream of people that has to be continuously worked for.  There are simply too many biases to overcome and so many preconceptions to set aside before any comprehensive course of action can be formed towards true equality.  Humans like talking about it but are rather slow on the action especially if they would be adversely affected by the change.

Politics is a very significant factor that prevents complete equality.  As long as some people have more power to lead the decisions toward their end, there will be people who will have less.  That is just the simple truth about equality.

What is the logic behind the philosophy of giving ?  How much should we give?  To whom shall be give?  When shall be give? Why on earth should we give?

How much should we give?

“As much as we can” , such is the ideal answer to this question of how much.  There is a saying that we do not truly give unless it hurts to do so.  When we give something that is clearly in excess of what we need, we are expected to do that.  And because it does not  require considerable sacrifice on the part of the giver, it does not fully answer to the real essence of giving.

To whom shall we give?

By natural order, we give to our loved ones.  We reserve what we have and then pass it on to them because that is again an expected thing.  The meaning of giving is magnified when we give to those we don’t even know because we know they need it and we can help them through it.  It becomes even more noble when we give without being asked.

When shall we give?

The most obvious answer is: “At any time it is needed”.  Giving cannot be limited like a scheduled thing as in once a month or once a year.  We give because we see the need and we choose to act on it. 

Why on earth, should we give?

We give because it is part of our essence as a human being .  We are less of a human when all we know is how to take.  Giving makes us like ourselves more because it gives us a chance to discover something good in us.

People have not been created equal in terms of material wealth, talents, and physical attributes.  This truth provides us the chance to give where it would matter most.  By giving, we are able to share a part of us with others that will serve us in the end.

Man is especially proud of having free will - that which gives him the ability to make conscious choices without being limited by any form of constraint.  Whether this is true or not has been the subject of various contentions between philosophers.  Some view free will as an illusion created by man to attribute to himself a certain control over his destiny when in fact all his actions are but natural results of the process of cause and effect. 

Going into the inner intricacies of personal philosophies about free will necessitate understanding about what freedom means to each mind.  When given a choice between good and bad, a person can choose the good and claim that he chooses to do so.  Others can contradict that the choice for the good is only a predisposition for something that has been decided in the past, meaning that the choice was made because it was pre-determined that it was the good thing to do.  This is then countered by the proponents of free will as a clear exercise of such ability since the person can always choose the bad and yet he doesn’t.  And so the circle of reasoning continues with each having a point against each other and yet being unable to fully convince people of their absoluteness. 

Many religions point to a greater power who determines the destiny of each individual.  Science attributes genetics and biochemistry for predispositions.  Free will enters the picture when a decision is made in spite of such determinants and predispositions specially where there are no physical restraints that can affect the outcome. 

There is a question of free will when in spite of absence of any constraint; a decision is arrived at due to necessity.  How much freedom does that represent when there is no other recourse aside from the chosen one?  Men bereft of the idea that they have free will turn out more fatalistic in nature being resigned to whatever life has in store for them.

Are standardized tests the best for students? This is a question most educators are asking themselves. In recent years, it has been found that while the intention of standardized testing was noble, the reality is that students are suffering from it rather than learning from it.

There are several patterns emerging that show how some students are benefitting and how some are not. New York state public schools report that the Black and Hispanic demographics score the lowest compare to their White and Asian peers in math. Also, those in that are from low-income homes are getting scores up to 20% lower than their classmates in standardized tests. It does seem strange that tests designed to be fair and equal to all are showing these results, making demarcations among various demographics.

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A personal philosophy sums up what we as a person value most in our lives.   It is a reflection of the heights we wish to achieve and provides a clear idea on how we intend to go about it.  A philosophy does not merely sound-off our wishes but the most fervent desires and beliefs that define who we are. 

Views and opinions may change in time but a philosophy remains fairly constant.  There may be changes in how it is said or written depending on the age and experience of a person but the underlying principles will be the same.  Thus, if a child is brought up in an environment of fairness and justice and effectively imbibe the related values, it would be a safe assumption to say that the philosophies he would later hold on to would be grounded on fairness and justice. 

This simply means that we do not just produce a philosophy out of the blue because it sounds good and is approved by our peers.  There is always a reason why a person comes up with a particular philosophy in life.  It is developed through time and cannot be convincingly created without any basis. 

Every person has a personal philosophy.  Whether it is articulated or not, it will dictate the actions and decisions we choose to make in life.  It forms part of our subconscious, telling us if we will be able to live with our decisions.  The moment we contradict our philosophy, internal chaos begins because we have assailed our own beliefs.

A clear personal philosophy serves as an effective guide while we try to negotiate our path towards our goals.  There will be many decisions to be made before we reach our objectives and the philosophy we hold in life will carry us throughout.  There are no hard-fast rules in forming one but it would probably be a lot better for humankind if the philosophies we fight for do not end up hurting another.

The word chakra originally came from Hindu texts which spoke about tantric traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. The word was derived from In Sanskrit it means “wheel” or “turning” in Hindi. They are thought of as “wheel like vortices which can be found in the various points of the body of living things. They are seen as “force centers” that are filled with energy. Human bodies for example hold hundreds of these.

However, there are seven major energy centers which function as transmitters, receivers as well as processors of life energies. Every single point relays to our levels of consciousness. The different types of energies -physical, spiritual, emotional and mental all have distinct traits correspond to their respective functions, their connection to the many glands of the body’s endocrine system and the seven colors of the rainbow. These forces form a network within the body, mind and spirit which interrelates as a holistic system.

Understanding the various chakras enable us to understand ourselves and make use of these to build harmonious relationships and improve our selves including our physical and spiritual relationships. In a way they function as entrances where emotions flow into so that they are felt and expressed. The beliefs and attitudes we have created in our minds run through these chakras and then they are scattered to our organs and even the cells and tissues that comprise them.

Knowing how these influence our bodies and minds enable us to make better choices and decisions which are based on balance and awareness instead of running like a headless chicken when we are affected or swayed by forces we cannot control.

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Crystal therapy is a therapeutic method of healing which enables spiritual healing and growth. Records show that it was used thousands of years ago inn Ancient Egypt, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

It is believed that crystals resonate unique vibrations based on their mineral content, intrinsic geometry and color frequency they radiate. They are placed around or in key areas of the body to help clear and release negative energies in order to heal and restore balance. They can also be swept over the body, carried or worn.

Our bodies have an electromagnetic system also known as a vibrational energy system. Crystals on the other hand function as great electromagnetic conductors which have the capability to interrelate with our energies. They carry vibrations that can activate energy midpoints in our system, thus giving off positive effects such as restoring a person’s well-being.

During therapy, a variety of crystals or stones are used to release imminent obstructions that block the flow of energy in the body in order to reduce mental and nervous stress. Afterwards, individuals feel a profound state of calmness. It becomes easier for them to let go of negative attitudes and habits and they become more in tune with themselves and their lives.

When using crystals, it is important to cleanse them before usage because they may carry negative vibrations as well. They can be cleaned with running water or placed in direct sunlight or moonlight. The latter is considered the most powerful cleaner. Pure sound vibrations such as the sound of a bell or gong can also cleanse a crystal’s energies.

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Lifestyles have changed in the past decade. For most of us it is like living in the fast lane every day. There is so much to be done and there is so little time. As a result, we become stressed and this results in many illnesses and even death.

Studies show that stress is the common cause of anxiety. It damages our body and mind, causing panic attacks, lack of sleep, phobias and many more. Apart from these, it also triggers health diseases such as heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, eczema, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and alopecia.

Other signs of stress include headaches, palpitations, wheezing, irritability, low energy, poor memory and increased emotions.

Stress is often caused by finance, work and relationships. Treatments vary and drug induced ones can sometimes cause more problems instead of fixing it. We must keep in mind that in the end it is up to us. Our perspective and choices lead us to the kind of life we choose.

Here are some tips to reduce stress:

Identify what causes you stress and do something about it. It may be easier said than done, but let’s face it, we only get stressed if we let it get to us.

Reduce stress by being more organized. Make a list of personal and professional priorities and make time for them. Keep an organizer, so that you won’t forget anything.

Allow yourself to be emotional at times. You are human and it is normal to laugh or cry when needed. Keeping these emotions can result to long term issues.

Learn how to value yourself. Make a list of your positive qualities and go through it whenever you feel down.

Find your passion. It may be a hobby, a sport or even volunteering for a cause. Outlets help you cope and make you feel good about yourself.

Learn to relax wherever you are. If you feel like losing control, take deep breaths until you feel better.  Meditate when you can. Simply close your eyes and imagine yourself in a beautiful spot where you would want to be.

Write down how you feel. It lets you release your feelings and makes you feel better. Keep a journal. It is always nice to look back and know how you were able to cope.

Take a break. Go on a holiday whenever you can. It allows you to recharge. It also helps you learn new things and gather new experiences. Plus it gets you away from stress.

Lastly, learn how to do nothing. Keeping quiet and still helps you think clearly.

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Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system or a way of life taught by Confucius in the 5^th-6^th century BC. Some see it as philosophy or religion, as an “all-encompassing humanism that neither denies nor slights heaven”.

Confucianism is known to be a combination of ren also known as “benevolence or humaneness” of people within a community. It is a reflection of excellent character in accordance to li or ritual norms, yi or the moral disposition to do good, zhong which is loyalty to one’s nature, shu or reciprocity and xiao filial piety. Altogether they are seen as de or virtue. Confucius also believes that it is necessary to give up one’s life “passively or actively for the sake of upholding cardinal and moral values.

These beliefs are all characteristics of a positive view of human nature and faith that all human beings are gifted and can do wonderful things. They are all capable of improving, being taught and reaching a certain level of perfection through ‘self-cultivation and self-creation’.

Confucius saw heaven or T’ienas a personal universal force and he regarded it as positive. This belief was contrary to what people assumed that he was a skeptic or agnostic who did not believe in a higher power.

Confucianism does not have specific rituals or practices apart from its ‘ethical principles’. Most of these so called practices are a combination of Taosim, Buddhism and Chinese religion.

This way of thinking has a huge following. It has become a moral compass, even influencing political and spiritual life in China. It has even spread out to neighboring Asian countries such as Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam and Japan.

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Meditation is a state where the made goes into a deeper level of thinking or awareness. Through meditation you gain a better hold of your emotions and reactions towards things and situations. It helps you become more patient and allows you to easily let go of negative attitudes such as anger.

The first thing you should do is to make time to meditate. Set a certain time of day, preferably in the morning to meditate. Making it part of your daily routine will yield better results. A friend once told me that meditation is spiritual hygiene –a way to let go of negative feelings.

Next, find a quiet and relaxing environment that is free from noise or other distractions. It will help you calm your mind and clear your thoughts. If you have a strong sense of focus and you can meditate amidst the hustle and bustle then feel free to do so.

Sit on level ground preferably on a cushion with your back straight so that you can breathe easier. Let your arms fall freely on your sides or put them on your lap. Make sure every part  of your body is relaxed. Find a better posture or position if needed.

Focus on how you breathe. Get into the rhythm and recite a mantra such as “uhm” repetitively if needed. You may say it out loud or in your mind. Visualize a relaxing place and allow yourself to be there. Calming thoughts and images make meditation easier.

Lastly silence your mind. Let thoughts and feelings flow without judgment. Send off the negative things and keep the good thoughts and feelings. Let it envelope you. Maintain the fuzzy and warm feeling from the positive energies and allow them to flow.

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