Introduction

Before going further, it is important that the word ‘sanity’ be defined as it will be used here. There are shades and nuances in the popular vernacular that could be confusing if used to interpret what you are about to read.

A definition of sanity as used here

This will not be an ultimately precise definition of the word, nor does it need to be. It will simply provide the proper angle from which to view it so as to understand the context in which it is used. The same goes for its opposites, ‘insanity’ and other synonyms like ‘crazy’ or ‘nuts’ or ‘whacko’ and the like.

Here sanity will be used to refer to a mind set that is composed of well-reasoned and non-contradictory decisions as to what is or is not true and real. Holding tightly to prejudice in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, for example, by definition is an act of insanity. It is neither reasonable nor free of contradictions (such as with the evidence).

Another common form of insanity is the self-lie. This occurs when you accept without reservation a demonstrable untruth as truth (which is called a belief). It is the act of accepting such ideas as beliefs that is the point where one crosses over into the domain of insanity.

If you are beginning to understand this, you have probably already noticed that neither you nor I nor probably any human who has ever lived can claim to be totally sane by this definition. We all accept insupportable propositions as fact from time to time. Some of us more often than others. Some much more often.

In other words, we are all partially sane and partially insane. The important questions are:

• How much of your perception of life is sane and how much is insane?
• How tightly do you hang on to your insane beliefs?
• Conversely, how easily do you correct such notions once there erroneousness is brought to your attention?
• Do you insist on surrounding yourself, as much as possible, with others who share your particular forms of insanity?
• Do you dig in and defend your insane beliefs to the proverbial last man?

There are other earmarks, but you should by now be getting the gist of it. Now, this may seem a bit far afield, but I assure you it’s not. Here’s why.

Insane beliefs are the greatest, perhaps the only true seedbed of fear, because they cause us to expect that painful events are on their way toward us, when in actuality they probably aren’t. At that point our self-preservation instinct kicks in and we start doing things we would not ordinarily do and that often have highly undesirable consequences. More on that later.

The main point here is simply this:

Frightened people do crazy things.

In our world, virtually every painful, destructive, violent, or in any way highly detrimental situation is born out of choices made for insane reasons. The truth of this assertion is abundantly clear of suicide bombers, but it is also true of a woman who chooses to walk away from any situation where she is challenged.

In both cases, the insanity is their belief that this action is the one that is most beneficial to them. In other words, they have convinced themselves that, “This is my smartest move.”

If every choice we each made, based on a belief that it was our smartest move, actually was, our lives, and the world in which we live them, would be virtually unrecognizable compared to what we’re used to.

It is often said that, “money is the root of all evil.” It is my contention that a far better version might be “Insanity [by this definition at least] is the root of all evil.”

And that is how this project got its name. Its purpose is to find the most detrimental insanities in our world, the ones that are causing the most human suffering. Then to help those who are doing the most to create that suffering see what they’re doing; that it is in fact not to their advantage and benefit; how it can be changed; that they will indeed be far better off after such change; and what they can do to make the modifications to heart and mind needed to effect such changes.

Okay. Lecture over. Now we can start looking at the methodology involved.

The basic approach of TWSP

The approach of this project is really quite simple at the abstract level. It goes something like this:

• Make a list of the conditions and situations on Earth that create the most suffering.
• Pick the one that is most devastating and also vulnerable to change.
• Find out who is contributing most to its creation and maintenance.
• Determine what fear drives them to make these choices.
• Look for the insane beliefs that create that fear.
• Determine the best ways to demonstrate to them that those beliefs are not true.
• Help them divest themselves of their blind acceptance of those beliefs.
• Watch while the problem disappears due to lack of interest.

As I said, this is all at an abstract level. When the rubber meets the road, things usually get a bit more complicated. That does not mean that they are impossible to change. It only means that the change requires more than flipping a switch. Here is a short list of some of the things that are commonly required in some amount, from very small to VERY LARGE.

• A deeper understanding of the factors involved.
• Determining action steps that will gradually move things to a better place.
• As Hippocrates would say, “First, do no harm.” In this case, don’t make it worse.
• Take the actions that are needed.
• Refine and reapply those steps.
• Lather, rinse, and repeat until the desired effect is accomplished.

There is, of course, a great deal more than that which is required, but these are some of the keys. If you’d like to join our mailing list to receive updates and news of scheduled events, sign up below.