Monday, July 16, 2018

Spirituality and Politics

The Mystery within...
“I’m spiritual but not religious” is a term I’m familiar and comfortable with, especially given America’s current political/religious climate.  So what would a spiritual/political climate look like, feel like and sound like in America?

First of all many Americans, myself included, would have a lot less stuff.  It would feel good because spirituality thrives when sharing our resources with others who have too little; and it feels good to thrive spiritually.  Corporations would work continuously to protect the environment and also proudly display their philanthropic efforts.  All workers would receive a just and living wage.  We would grow in respect for all of life.  Healthcare would be exceptional, universal, and affordable for all. Care of the born would be understood as a societal task with aid to families needing help and quality education available to all.  Abortions would become very rare.  We would be tolerant of people holding views different than our own and open to changes that demonstrate compassion versus blame and bigotry.  The arts and entertainment industry would deepen our understanding of what it means to be a spiritual people.  And we who profess liberty and justice for all would ask forgiveness from Native Americans and Blacks for our past colonial imperialism.  Politician’s voices would resonate from their hearts in support of the above.  This isn’t an impossible dream.  How America evolves really is in our own hearts, minds, voices, hands and ballots.     

I see great paradoxical promise in the scary political turmoil of our time that can give us all pause to reflect on our past, present and future.  Will the quest for more and more money enslave some of us while others languish in poverty?  Can the over consumption and destruction of our earth’s resources become an urgent understanding for a more reasoned and protective stance; or will we continue down a self-destructive path of no return?  Can we see it takes a healthy village to raise a healthy child to create a healthy future?  Can we replace judgment with compassion for others’ desperate acts?  Can we be open to being changed? True forgiveness of the other, and ourselves, heals relationships and is a never-ending need. The ability to love creativity is what spirituality is all about.  It exists in all of us.  Find and nurture it. In my heart, mind and soul I see no separation between spirituality and politics.

What if our scary political turmoil is designed to awaken us to a new era of forgiveness, empathy, compassion, love and generosity toward one another?                                 

7 comments :

  1. Teilhard de Chardin, Anne Hillman, and others think that we are, in fact, in the midst of the destruction that is the necessary ground for the next major evolutionary shift into a new consciousness - what Hillman calls a Consciousness of Love. I hope so. Because if not we're in real trouble.

    It's not likely that you and I will live long enough to see if this works out or not. So what do we do? We all have to do what all people, in all places and times, have to had do: whatever is set before us. Whether we understand the big picture or not. Whether we like it or not. And this always involves first looking to ourself, and then outward.

    You find the people, the things that will support you and nourish you on the way. And you, in turn, provide nourishment and support to the others around you.

    Gosh, that sounds so . . . thoughtful and heady. In fact, it can be confusing, or disheartening, or just roll up your sleeves and do it.

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    1. Thanks, Ann, for the reminder on the need for patience and taking the long view.

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  3. Excerpts from the interview with Martin Shaw in the second issue of Emergence Magazine (online). The article is titled Mud and Antler Bone. https://emergencemagazine.org/story/mud-and-antler-bone/

    If you love something, does it not affect the way you behave? I’m surrounded by people telling me, these are the end of days. I’m surrounded by people telling me that statistically there is no way out. Do you think I’m gonna take that remotely seriously? No. Because life is more magical than that. Stories are far more unexpected than that. And whilst I think it is utterly appropriate to bend our heads to the grief of our times, I’m not, as a father, going to be telling my children anytime soon that all is doomed.
    . . .
    We are not going to get a story worth hearing until we are broken open by our own consequence.
    . . .

    Much opportunity is heading toward us disguised as loss. And we’re going to need stories—deep, powerful, alchemical stories—to help guide us through such a time.

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  4. WOW! Terrific wisdom. Thanks for passing it on Ann.

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  5. Spiritual Self-Help Books I have read all the comments and suggestions posted by the visitors for this article are very fine,We will wait for your next article so only.Thanks!

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  6. The way one lyrist has written, "Hum logo ko samajh sako to samjho dilbar jaani; jitna bhi tum samjhoge utni hogi hayerani".. US State recognise Kashmir genocide?

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