A practical call to action for all

In the last decades many have shown a considerable capacity to learn and to grow.  Hand in hand with that personal development service and love for others has also grown.  Despite all this progress, the coming challenging decades will require abilities seemingly impossible from today’s perspective.  Given this, it is vital that we now seek urgently to fortify both ourselves and the communities we live in.

Often, we find ourselves missing something necessary for our growth, tranquillity and spiritual development. That ideal ingredient for any individual, community or institution is the understanding and belief that all are part of world-wide community.  Only when this concept is accepted can real progress, peace and the serious problems facing humanity begin to be solved.

In any endeavour whether material or spiritual a vision is required, an overriding clarity about the objectives to be achieved. It helps to have this in our minds at all times. Our purpose in life is clear, to work for the betterment of the world and to help humanity to live in concord and harmony.  To achieve this, we will require more than our own endeavours it will also require a vibrant, outward-looking community working alongside us.  The journey to our goal will have to entail both spiritual and material progress.  In order to build momentum, meaningful conversations with those around us are necessary and will help shape that very development. However, if the betterment of the world is to be achieved still more is needed. In order to trigger a society-building power, energies latent, but so far largely unexpressed, in humanity will have to be awakened.  It is worth focussing on some vital much-needed qualities.

Qualities of cooperation and mutual assistance will have to be developed to ensure human society advances in both progress and prosperity.  Sufficient moral vigour and spiritual health will prove basic necessities for individuals and communities everywhere.

The betterment of this world will be dependent on other basic qualities, singularly lacking in today’s society, such as unity, trustworthiness, mutual support, collaboration, fellow feeling, selflessness, commitment to truth, a sense of responsibility, a thirst to learn and most importantly love.  This is not an intellectual exercise in self-advancement it is a practical call to action for all.  Make no mistake, the degree to which we respond to the pressing needs of the age in which we live will determine all our futures and indeed those of future generations.

"The civilization of today, for all its material prowess, has been found wanting.."

The Universal House of Justice 

Collars and Cuffs, Confucius and Change

The world is ever more connected. In my family, there is a collection of the ladies journal from 1850 that originally belonged to my great grandmother. In these journals, there is regular advice on how to crochet collars and sleeves or make extraordinary hats and also some news. Much of the news is actually about the intricacies of court. Tales of royal events and all the nobility who also attended. Where they went and on occasion what they wore. Then, there is also actual news about events, murders, trials, court proceedings and accidents. In one memorable issue, there were details of a dreadful industrial accident in which many workers were killed and it was announced a charity had been proposed to help the widows and children of those who lost their lives. The following issue had a vigorous riposte to this suggestion. The writer said that the accident had not happened in his county and he saw no reason to be in involved in looking after strangers on the other side of the country. (Still in the UK!) Reading this I was suddenly struck by how far humanity has travelled in one century. 

Now when disasters happen anywhere in the world our hearts contract, we feel despair at other's pain and suffering. We can no longer comfortably draw the line around our own community and care for only them. Why? Because the heart that is open to love knows no boundaries. The child dying here or abroad feels like a harpoon to the open heart. Being able to only care about our own children and loved ones feels like a curtailed mean spirited love indeed. What do we convey to our children with our indifference to the suffering of others outside the family circle?

Another reflection of a perverted mindset is when I care only for my religious group and feel an odd vicious pleasure when those of a different persuasion suffer. Some hug their righteousness to their breasts and spit their hatred and loathing of the ‘others’. They interpret the suffering of others as God's justice. What an odd coldhearted and perverse mindset surely unworthy of the light of day.

In today's interconnected world we are shown the social conditions and suffering of people from all over the world. Our consciences are heavy indeed with the pain and loss of life that constantly plague the human race. We cannot blame it on God's justice. Inequality, discrimination and exploitation have torn society apart. Humanity is in turmoil and confusion and we all know we need real progress, not regression.

We are one human race and our well-being is linked with everyone on this planet. If our economic advancement is at the cost of sacrificing another nation, it will not end well. The selfish attitude that pursues economic gain without regard to the natural environment will not end well. The growing gap between the rich and the poor does not befit the nobility of either and will not end well.

The focus on self-interest, winning at all costs, whoever is damaged in the process, combined with a strange lethargy of conscience will not end well. 

Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness and generosity these qualities of spirit ensure things end well. The upliftment of society begins with each of us and in today's world, our consciences must be awakened at all costs. Only when we feel with a vibrant loving heart will we begin to take action for the good of society.  When we think globally and have long term worthy plans for humanity and act locally in our communities with short-term actions that are constantly reflected upon and adjusted, then progress can be built not just dreamed of.

"If you can practice these five things with all the people … courtesy, generosity, honesty, persistence, and kindness. If you are courteous, you will not be disrespected; if you are generous, you will gain everything. If you are honest, people will rely on you. If you are persistent you will get results.”

writing of Confucius

(551 BC – 479 BC)