I. Outer, Active Work
1)Transform conflict by listening more
deeply to a group or person you disagree with:
· Work to find higher common ground;· Refuse to become entrenched in a polarized position; but stand for principles;· Look for the grain of truth, the positive intent in your opponent’s position;· Build a higher synthesis of the best of both sides of an issue; a left/right synthesis finding the grain of truth on both sides.· Use a whole systems approach -- see how all issues are interconnected with each other and with other factors.
2) Build the new, don’t just fight the
old: Work with those
individuals and organizations most open to the new ideas and ways of
working; don’t try to crack the hardest, most resistant cases, as life
will eventually open them.
3) Commit to
action: put your money and time behind your values -- Join or
contribute to an organization that is effectively creating solutions
to social problems, such as war, violence, pollution, hunger, poverty,
etc..
4) Promote a
code of conduct for campaigns and for public life - Principles for
political leaders to sign on to if they want our support; demand
transparency.
5) Focus on
ethics and values in public debates on issues and in discussions
with friends and colleagues—people are hungry for deeper meaning and
spiritual ideas.
6) Create a
“salon” - a citizen dialogue or study group in your home to study
and discuss an issue, and then develop an action plan to address it.
7) Build public opinion: Write
letters to the editor of your paper and to your Congresspeople–
comment on current problems and
suggest solutions, voice support or opposition to important
legislation—your opinion is important.
8) Be engaged in the political
process – In a democracy,
it’s a spiritual responsibility to vote and education yourself
politically; as Jefferson said, “A people get the government they
deserve.”
II. Inner,
Spiritual Work
1) Watch or
read the news with a new lens, reflecting on problems and crises from
a spiritual perspective:
a) Examine the inner, spiritual
forces at work behind events—the symbolism and the deeper causes or
karma of an event or crisis
b) Observe the spiritual lessons
being learned by those involved and all of us:
· understand the meaning of the crisis by identifying with the participants· develop compassion and love for all involved in the event or crisis· reflect on how the event or crisis serves a larger purpose in human evolution
c)
Note the “coincidence” of the timing of
events and natural disasters with collective human thoughts and
emotions
2) Pray
– To invoke more enlightened leaders, to ask that our leaders be
guided by higher spiritual principles, to heal the divisions which
divide us and create a society that truly serves the good of the
whole.
3)
Meditate – To create inner peace and overcome fear; to receive
spiritual guidance for decision-making; to send positive, healing
energy to world crises.
4)
Invoke the soul of our nation - Honestly assess national strengths
and weaknesses, avoiding chauvinism, and visualize the nation’s soul
or higher purpose coming into greater expression, to create a more
just and peaceful world for all people. (For the U.S. a key soul
quality is loving, inclusive wisdom which serves the good of all
people.)
5)
Adopt a leader - Choose a political leader who has potential for
good, but who needs help, and follow his/her career; write him/her
letters of support; send your prayers and positive energy to help
alignment with his/her highest self.
6)
Energize the positive, rather than focus on the negative - Give
attention, energy and support to “best practices”--innovative
solutions that promote greater harmony, compassion and justice in the
world.
7) Build new
thought-forms - Understand the life cycle of ideas; listen
inwardly to receive inspiration to further human evolution; shape
ideas into clear thoughtforms, energize them emotionally with your
enthusiasm, promulgate them widely.
No comments:
Post a Comment