Ireland's karmic woes

Many of Ireland's problems have come about because it became infected by the illusion of achieving wealth and prosperity through speculation, financial gambling and over-borrowing - taking risks with money they did not have. 

I do not blame or judge them for taking advantage of a financial climate which enabled, even encouraged this conduct: a number of other countries behaved similarly and also have serious economic difficulties to resolve as a result. Furthermore, few people spoke out as this lavish spending spree was taking place throughout the  Euro-zone and it is ironic that some of those who managed the common currency and condoned it then are both critical of those in trouble now and reluctant to help.

Within a community, whether it is the EU, the IMF, a nation state or a village, there is a shared responsibility. The "elders" have a role to guide and advise the younger members, ensuring the community's affairs are conducted with integrity and proper management for the common good; the younger members listen and learn and do their best for the sake of the whole group not just for themselves, acting as best they can with discernment. If problems arise, everyone works together to resolve them. 

There is so much karma in all of this, isn't there? "What goes around comes around" as they say, and the karmic repercussions of decades of greed and materialism are becoming increasingly visible. The karma must play itself out in its own way as directed by the protagonists involved in this game of human and economic chess, which is why it does no good to blame or judge, for it cannot change the situation or the outcome. The pieces on the chessboard are in play with an unseen hand moving them deliberately and purposefully. The time for choice, in this situation, is over. Instead, lovingly, we watch, wait, and learn, and help where we can. It is our karma too.