Growth Online
> Knowledge Base >
Society's Growth >
New Insights into
Governance
Leadership
(top)
Impersonal Commitment that Sends One to the Top
When an individual makes an
impersonal [i.e. no personal ambition intended]
commitment to
his country, the country
seeks him out and
elevates
him to leadership.
(paraphrase of MSS)
Leader as Front of
Rising Tide
A leader of a nation
doesn't rise so much because of his talent, charm, and knowledge, but
because he represents a rising tide in the society. E.g. Clinton in the
US represented the Baby Boomers. What rising tide does you leader
represent?
Leaders rise to power as a
result of a compelling rising tide in society. The individual represents
an emerging element of society, and that is what pushes that person to
the top as leader.
The Inspired Leader
(Beyond the Social Influence)
The
inspired leader acquires the skills, attitudes and values of the
social collective but does not allow their attitudes or expectations to
limit his vision, aspirations or actions. He becomes a true vital
individual who acts on the society expressing his individual inspiration
rather than acting out the social formula. He becomes a leader like
Gandhi. (MSS-GJ)
Best Ways to Serve Your Country
It is by being sincere, courageous, enduring and honest
that you can best serve your country,
make it one and great in the world.
(The Mother)
Leadership by Systems, Not Leaders
The days of individual leadership are
gone and what we find now is impersonal leadership in the form of
constructive systems.
(MSS, N. Asokan)
The Individual is
Becoming the New World Leader
After the World War, the world has not thrown up a leader of world
stature. After the procession of intellectuals who wanted to shape the
world according to their ideas - Rousseau, Voltaire, Marx, Russell,
Sartre - in the last twenty-five years no single intellectual has
attained their stature. Leadership in war and thought has passed away
from the collective.
This is a phase of social evolution where
the INDIVIDUAL emerges.
Presently we have a leaderless world. It
only means the individual is coming into his own.
We see more and
more the initiative of thinking is moving to the public, which
means the individual is becoming more responsible to the nation.
It is high time that the citizen, at least mentally, must take greater
responsibility for the future of the country. We do see the phenomenon
of public opinion being taken into greater account.
The saga of
great leaders has gone and the era of the individual is being born.
Mind cannot offer
that leadership, as even intellectuals of that caliber are vanishing. It
is for each individual to become a thinker of the nation's political
future.
It is better that
that individual is the Spiritual Individual who invokes the Spirit and
lives by that Spirit. (MSS, abridged)
Leader Creates Higher
Harmonies
A great politician is not
just someone who takes an initiative or extracts the best of both sides
on an issue, but is able to create a resolution at a higher level that
both opposing sides can understand and benefit from. This is true for
any leader, manager, person of influence, etc. It is the essence of what
we mean by harmony.
Wisdom and Strength
Practiced by Leader
No leader has ever
attempted successfully in practice to reconcile wisdom and strength in
action. (MSS)
Structureless Power
Nehru presided over the government [of India].
Azad presided over the Congress. But Gandhiji was neither in the
government nor in the party. Nehru and Azad both obeyed him. His power
over the government as well as the party came not from external power,
but from inner Power. The power of Gandhiji was structureless and for
that reason was more powerful. (MSS)
Valuing Spirit Takes
One To Fame in Certain Domains
Whether one is in politics or administration
or public life, one rises to the acme of true fame he does not seek if
his values are spiritual.
Leaders Opinions, Views
Defers to Reality of Times
Despite his or her values,
ideals -- whether they be positive or negative -- the leader of the
nation is overwhelmed by the reality of his times. The events of Nature
take precedence over one's beliefs. One does what Nature beckons.
Great Leadership & Emotional
Intelligence
-What makes a leader great? A commanding presence?
Technical brilliance? The drive to work 80 hours a week? Or spending
thirty minutes each day in self-reflection? The answer is
self-reflection. Follow that up with highly trained listening skills,
persistent optimism and a bit of empathy and you have a leader who's not
only great, but superb.
-A steady stream of research
over the past decade has consistently identified emotional intelligence
as a much more powerful predictor of professional success than
intelligence or expertise. Highly emotionally intelligent managers
retain workers and encourage the productivity and innovation that make a
company shine. Instead of trying to micromanage, effective leaders bring
people together and inspire them.
-You must create an
environment where people feel valued to be creative.
-Individuals' self-interest
diminishes empathy and limits ability to see the big picture.
-The most capable leaders
demonstrate modesty and even shyness, giving credit to the organization
and their co-workers before themselves.
-The self-management aspect of
emotional intelligence includes acting with honesty and integrity,
especially in difficult situations. Executives must be flexible, and
know when to walk away.
-An executive who surrounds
himself with 'yes' men, creates a morally neutered environment. The
emotionally intelligent leader, in contrast, is aware of others'
feelings and is willing to admit mistakes.
-Emotionally intelligent
executives maintain accountability and are committed to ethical business
practices while they increase a company's profits. (East Bay Business
Times, extracted)
Negative Leaders
Reverse to Succeed
It is often the case that leaders of limited or even negative capacities
succeed by reversing their false instincts in the face of life's
abundant opposition.
The Stark
Reality
(Corruption)
They say power corrupts. Power changes the view or vision. One who has
been vehemently speaking against corruption, begins to be corrupt when
he comes into that power. At that time, he feels it is right to be
corrupt.
The President of the university Teachers' Union was
elected to the Syndicate from the Academic Council. The moment he became
a member of the Syndicate, he began to behave as the Management, to the
utter surprise of the union members.
These are persons who FEEL
the immediate environment and do not have a formed personality of their
own. To him, it was right to espouse the cause of the teachers while he
was their President and it was equally right to plead the cause of
Management while on the Syndicate.
That was his logic. When the
stark reality faces, his face undergoes a great change.
(MSS)
Accepted Givens of
Modern Life are Being Thrown Out
Several such statements - a leader is born, intelligence does not
grow, the throne is not for us, you must be born into the royal family -
are giving way to the modern realities. In modern times, all kinds of
people are becoming heads of state, PhD is awarded to people not
innately intelligent, based on training. It means leadership and
intelligence are acquired. (MSS)
The Gorbachev Miracle
Gorbachev single handedly
ended the Cold War. He also did something unprecedented in the history
of the world; he enabled a revolution that reversed things to the
opposite while in power, while representing that old system which he
destroyed. And he did it bloodlessly, which is perhaps even more
remarkable. It is a sign of the Force at work for sure, which creates
always in entirely new, unprecedented ways.
The Force and Churchill
Churchill won the second
world war through the
spiritual
Force
(from Sri Aurobindo)
that was sent to him,
which he did not know about.
Leadership is Strength that is Authority
All methods will ultimately conform to one rule or confirm one rule.
Whether it is a person, or a party or a sector of production or a
religious group that comes to power, they do so by strength that is
authority. Maybe the strength is his own or is
supplied to him by other groups. (MSS)
Source of Social Leadership
Social leadership emerges from the productive sector.
The more prominent that sector is, the more eminent the leader.
Destruction of Those
with Lack of Strength
Good and even great people
are often assassinated because they lack strength. Again perhaps Jesus
is an example. There are many others. Often these great people are
betrayed for lack of strength, as happened to Gorbachev when he was
harshly thrown out of office after saving the nation and the world.
Society is cruel.
Often great beings are
assassinated because of a darkness that surfaces in them, such as when
Lincoln is assassinated after backtracking in his mind about the
harshness of how he treated the South thought the South had been evil in
their slavery; or when Indira Gandhi gave in to her mother's
vindictiveness to being betrayed by her husband, when Indira allowed
herself to be swayed by her foolish son to allow for forced
sterilizations. there are many examples.
Untitled
The art of molding public opinion is a subtle art of great dexterity.
(MSS) [How?]
Society Evaluates the
Politician not the True Leader
A leader is valued (or condemned) for his political moves, which is a
vital reaction of society to a vital leadership. Likewise, a true
statesman is often ignored for his actions of truth that help the
society for its own sake; an indicator that society is vitally centered,
and thus like politics itself is false at its center of awareness.
On the Vital Worship
of a Leader
Unformed vital personalities are ready to adore the first dominant
person they meet. They look for a leader. When one comes their way, they
are ready. In such a population, hero-worship thrives. Such people
easily switch over from one leader to another. All that they want is
someone to worship, adore, hold up as an ideal. The longing heart
finds an adorable ideal, not necessarily that there is something to be
adored. (MSS)
Gorbachav Solution as
Higher Harmony
The Gorbachev solution that ended the Cold War was not a compromise of
conservative and liberal political values of the West, but an action of
a
higher harmony that both views could relate to; strength towards
the Soviets that would appeal to conservatives, and peaceful solution
and outcome that the liberals favored, though in reality it was an
integrated higher harmony that included yet transcended both. In this
way it was a creative solution from the causal realm of the Force moving
in the world.
Statesmanship
Compared to Objectivity about One's Self
Analogous to being a
statesman, i.e. one who cares for the well-being of society, for the
greater good above party prejudices, is to want to improve those aspects
of one's self that need improvement, shunning our own sensibilities,
prejudices, opinions, et al for the greater good of our evolving self.
Emergence of Lower
Individuals During Reversals for that Society
In times of reversal
in society, such as economic recession or social revolts, buffoons rise
in prominence.
Paralleling the Individual and Life of Society
Interestingly we can correlate the events and movements,
particularly at the turning points, of the earlier life of that
individual and the earlier life of that society in a parallel of one to
one correspondences.
Unprincipled,
Self-Seeking Leaders in the Cream of the Population of Nations
The cream of the population of nations is often under unprincipled,
self-seeking leaders of the society or government. (MSS)
Gandhi & Patriotism
Man loves himself, only himself.
His love of the family, though selfless to that extent, is also
basically love of his own self. It further extends to his community,
and his country.
His love of his country and the courage he
exhibits in sacrificing for her is termed as patriotism. Gandhi is a
soul great in itself because he aroused in the Indians the emotion of
patriotism while they were in love with the culture of the British and
were ashamed of themselves.
(MSS)
Also See Thoughts on
Business Leadership
MSS
Articles on Leadership
Emergence of National Leadership
True Leader and Public Opinion
Governance
(top)
See Thoughts on
Potentials of World Parliament
MSS Article:
Forms of Government; Shades of Democracy, Freedom, etc.
The Will that
Enables Success Beyond a Government Bill
Though a legislative or other government or institutional bill that is
of great benefit to the community may pass, it may fail in the course of
time because it was undertaken reluctantly. The collective's will is the
determinant and guarantees, where bills only indicate a potential.
Beyond bills there is the power of the Will that has a life of its own.
A Right (e.g.
Education, Equality) is Powerful Only When It Has Commensurate Power,
Knowledge and Capacity
Democracy was ushered in and every citizen was
accorded the right to choose the ruler as well as become the ruler if
he is chosen. The granting of the right is great, but the right
becomes meaningful only when it carries the commensurate Power,
Knowledge and Capacity. Universal education disseminates knowledge,
while Power remains the close preserve of the throne as well as the
elite. As science advances, technology develops, resulting in various
modern products that make life elegant and enjoyable. Equality as a
right is intangible and nebulous. Palatial buildings, status symbols
like car, capacity to contact VIPs, etc. are symptoms of power, even
symbols of power. These were the exclusive possession of the elite and
the royalty. Advancing technology enables the common man to possess
and enjoy what only the elite and royalty possessed so far. In that
sense, technology brings the exclusive power of the elite to be
distributed among all. Technology alone cannot do it. Someone has to
convert that technology into a product such as a car so that it
reaches all. Thus, commerce is the economic equivalent of democracy in
politics. Commerce is the social ideal of equality. (MSS)
Evolution of
Organizations
-
We can see a
progression of organization of various institutions as they move
from physical to vital to mental to spiritual
-
In nations of the
past -- e.g. Japan, China, and European nations long ago etc. --
there were often two armies of that nation fighting against one
another for power.
-
This became
[evolved into] the political parties of democracy. This is a
movement from the physical to the vital, with an emerging mental
support of idealism.
-
Still the two
parties (today) are often at each other's throats, as they are
intensely attached to their own position; a vital (still somewhat
close to physical) tendency.
-
One possibility
for the future is for the two party system to be replaced by two
groups, each holding various points of view, who come together to
collaborate to find common ground, or even better, new fresh ideas,
policies, possibilities, etc. They are not attached, or are at least
are far less attached to their own position, which reflects the
mental stage. Perhaps it will be multiple groups who come together
for this purpose, or one group with individuals of various points of
view. There are many possibilities.
-
At a further
stage such individuals can aspire to truly embrace the other side's
view, see the wisdom in the opposite view, see the integral
relationship between various ideas presented, see the relationship
to the whole, to the emerging possibilities, etc. This could be a
first movement toward the spirit, i.e. of spiritual mind. Members
can even open to the higher power to receive answers, and to gain
the cooperation of life; or go within to enable thereafter
intuitions of knowledge, etc. etc.
-
The specifics
I am presenting are speculations, though we can anticipate the
possibilities along an arc from physical through spiritual. If we
can thoroughly know the history of a particular organization,
including its segment of the arc to the present, we can sense what
that organization could become in its next highest iteration; or at
least individuals could sense through their new spiritual sense what
they individually can do to bring a further integration of the
members, of the ideas, of the forms of organization.
-
This approach can
be adopted for understanding, evaluation, and recommendations for
any organization.
-
Perhaps a
discipline of Knowledge of Emerging Potentials could be developed
based on a mental and mento-spiritual foundation.
-
Expert systems or
other new forms of software could prove very useful.
[MSS Comments]
The rule the whole is more than the sum of the parts can help
one cross the border at each transition.
Values in Government
The
values of governments are the values of any organization or
institution. Several values (or value-oriented capacities) in
government that jump out are: efficiency, honesty, responsiveness,
leadership (i.e. believing in leading), collaborative-capacity,
problem-solving, authority, compassion, strength, fairness, respect
for the individual, valuing education, progress, etc., getting things
done, following the will of the people, compromise, valuing the
progress of the individual, even the growth of the individual,
protection, security, support, open to the possibilities, valuing
planning, concern for the future of the people, valuing law and
authority, tolerance, diversity, unity (within gov't, and in nation),
the real truth of things (not just the surface), teamwork,
camaraderie, opportunity, embracing all sides of the truth (not just
one limited side), inspiring others, opening up opportunities for the
people, etc.
Best Ways to Serve Your Country
It is by being sincere, courageous, enduring and honest
that you can best serve your country,
make it one and great in the world.
(The Mother)
On Democracy
(top)
Reflects the Emergence of Our Mentality
Evolution, Spread of Democracy
Its Spiritual Source and Nature
Other
Reflects the
Emergence of Our Mentality
Democracy
is Indicator of Mental Stage of Development
The Mental
stage of social development is indicated by an increase in freedom,
democracy, mental inquisitiveness, human fulfillment, and higher
levels of organization.
(MSS)
Ascendancy of Mind
and Democracy
In addition to individual expression, the
ascendancy of mind has expressed at the societal level as well.
It expresses in the great movements in the last century that have led
to greater human liberty and freedom; to the emergence of democracy
throughout the world; and to the growing sense among the general
population that every person deserves to fulfill his potential in his
own lifetime.
Democracy in
Plane 2 of Mind
Democracy
emerges in the second plane of mind, (Vital Mental); i.e. where
sentiments, values, and ideals develop.
Social Evolution & Democracy
Humanity has evolved from a society mainly concerned with physical
realities, such as survival, fears and threats from without, and
complete deference to authority, to one engaged in vital interests,
such as expansion, trade, travel, social interaction with others, and
the concern for our own individual needs, wants, and desires, to the
present emerging mental stage where peace, freedom, democracy, the
fulfillment and empowerment of the individual, the emergence of fast,
complex organization, and the extraordinary power of thought to shape
our world for endless progress emerges. (MSS)
Evolution, Spread of Democracy
Democracy
Greece is where democracy was born. There was the British patronage of
democracy.
Martin Luther and Democracy
The first visible sign
[of emergence of democracy]
was Martin Luther's break with the Church by which he proclaimed
to the world that every man born is equal in the eyes of God. The
priest's special right to represent God to others was denied. Man, the
Individual, was thus emancipated from the thraldom of Church, the
organisation. (MSS)
From Monarchy to
Democracy
-Monarchy became
democracy when the entire population made this mental progress from
their physical existence
-Monarchy considered the common man's
aspiration to the throne as treason while democracy accorded him not
only the right to choose his 'king' but also the right to become one.
(MSS)
Democracy
and Development through Internal Motivation
The
transition of society from monarchy to democracy marks the replacement
of external authority by internal motivation as the driving force for
social development. (MSS)
Democracy, The
Industrial Revolution, and Social Development
The end of feudalism in Western Europe was
an important contributor to the onset of the mercantile era and the
founding of the great European commercial empires. The further
transition from monarchy to democracy stabilized the internal order
and provided the social foundations for the Industrial Revolution. It
stimulated innovation by encouraging the free exchange of ideas and
provided incentives for greater individual effort by legally
safeguarding property from arbitrary confiscation.
(MSS
How
Democracy has Shifted Power
The further transition from monarchy to
democracy has shifted power from concentration in a tiny aristocratic
elite to distribute it over a large number of elected political
leaders and administrative officials and through a increasingly
complex system of laws and judicial mechanisms. At the same time
democracy has extended the authority of the state enormously. In
addition to maintenance of law and order and national defense,
governments today exercise extensive and detailed authority over
almost every aspect of life, including all forms of transportation and
communication, manufacturing, export and import, banking, investment,
employment, health, insurance, zoning, construction, broadcasting and
preservation of the environment. Government in most countries today is
the single largest employer and most of these employees exercise a
measure of authority over some aspect of social life.
(MSS)
Democracy and Social Progress
Since 1980, a democratic
revolution has been spreading through Latin America, Eastern Europe
and, most recently, Africa, freeing hundreds of millions of people
from repression by authoritarian regimes. As peace provides a secure
external environment for international development,
democracy provides a stable and conducive environment within
countries for more rapid social progress.
Democracy raises human aspirations. It encourages individuals
to take active initiative for their own advancement. It facilitates
freer and wider social interactions. It releases greater social
energy. It vastly increases the dissemination of information and the
multiplication of new organizations. As the transition from monarchy
to
democracy was a catalyst for rapid
economic advancement of Western countries over the past three
centuries, the spread of democratic institutions today opens up
greater possibilities for global expansion.
(MSS)
Democracy and the
Aspiration for Progress
Spurred by the end of
colonialism and the diffusion of democracy, since then this revolution
has circled the globe and ignited a clamor for education, higher
levels of consumption and opportunities for advancement among billions
of people. The universal awakening of this urge for progress is
another compelling reason why the speed of development is increasing
so rapidly. (MSS)
The Majority & Minority in Democracy
-Rule of majority is the strategy of democracy.
-Democracy is
the rule of majority to which the minority consents mentally.
(MSS)
Democracy as
Catalyst for Social Development
Peace, social stability,
democracy, the increasing velocity of social transactions, the rate of
adoption of new technologies, and global influences and opportunities
are catalysts for social development.
(MSS)
Its
Spiritual Source and Nature
Spiritual Nature of
Democracy
Every man born is equal is the basis of
democracy. It utters a spiritual truth that in his depth, man is
spiritual, and all spirits are equal.
(MSS)
Birth of Freedom and Democracy
Sri Aurobindo says that the earliest preoccupation of man is the
search for God, Freedom, Light and Immortality. That is man's spiritual
quest. This is reflected in his social life as the quest for equality in
Knowledge, Power, Status and Capacity.
The first visible sign was Martin Luther's break with the Church
by which he proclaimed to the world that every man born is equal in the
eyes of God. The priest's special right to represent God to others was
denied. Man, the Individual, was thus emancipated from the thraldom of
Church, the organisation. Kings ruled the nations.
The divine
right theory sanctioned their right to rule. Democracy was ushered in
and every citizen was accorded the right to choose the ruler as well as
become the ruler if he is chosen. (MSS)
Democracy
and Fulfillment of Human Potential
Democracy and freedom is the basis for the full unfolding of human
potential. (MSS)
Other
Non-Warring of
Liberal Democracies
Liberal democracies do not go to war with each other. Self-defence
is an exception. (MSS)
Democracy for
Uneducated, Non-Secular Can Be Dangerous
The spread of
education and democracy after 1950 leading to a veritable democratic
revolution in South America, Eastern Europe, Asia and most recently
Africa has extended social freedoms to millions of previously
suppressed people around the globe. This, coupled with rising levels
of economic freedom and prosperity, has released people from near
total preoccupation with physical survival and freed their energies to
express previously suppressed tendencies. These events also illustrate
the inadequacy and potential danger of democratic freedom when
extended to populations with very low levels of education or to those
lacking a history or commitment to secularism. Democracy without
education and secularism can become a breeding ground in which
anachronistic, parochial or communal ideas flourish. (MSS)
Beyond Democracy to
Spirit in Human Evolution
Science, economic development, democracy, religion, and other
institutions and ideas and ideals are alone incapable of addressing
the evolutionary needs of the emerging collective life. If the gnostic
beings help establish this integral, unifying gnostic consciousness on
earth, it would provide a far greater power and knowledge than mental
man has for understanding and acting on the needs of the emerging
collective. (MSS)
ICPD Article -- Social Origins of Democracy
Politics
(top)
Political Wisdom
-Wisdom is the ultimate goal for the mind. Political wisdom is its
extension to the affairs of the nation.
-To be wise, one should cease
to look at the affairs of the world from one's point of view. One must
cease to be subjective.
-Objective knowledge of the affairs of the nation raises
wisdom to political wisdom.
-Indian wisdom tells us that such great
philosophical truths behind the history of nations are the same as those
behind our own personal life. It is there we can lay our finger on the
ultimate truth unerringly and with spiritual benefit. We can know of
events in our own life where our trust has been betrayed. It is the
right psychological raw material to work on.
-We must know the
self-existent spiritual GOOD beyond our own knowledge which is of good
and bad to gain the objective view.
(MSS, extracted and paraphrased)
Unprincipled,
Self-Seeking Leaders in the Cream of the Population of Nations
The cream of the population of nations is often under unprincipled,
self-seeking leaders of the society or government. (MSS)
Beyond the Political Opposites in Society,
Enabling Rapid, Vast, Smooth, Creative Progress
In the USA as elsewhere, there is a two-party system. It is an indicator
of democracy, as opposed to the oppression of monarchy and aristocracy.
And yet it is flawed relative to what it can be. The Democrats are
passionate about ending poverty, and many of their policies are very
helpful, but many are flawed. Their hearts are in the right place, if
not all of their ideas. The Republicans want to cut taxes, which is one
of a series of fine ways to stimulate the economy, and yet behind is a
virulent selfishness and greed in that approach that is cut off from the
social aspirations of people. Each side has positives that are wrapped
in negatives, or negatives wrapped in the positive. When you also add in
the political instinct, it can turn poisonous, as useful policy is
abandoned for doing what is expedient and in the interest of that party.
One of the ways America and similar countries
progress is through the opposition of parties
that are each flawed. And yet we now progress
through the interaction of these two conflicting
and flawed opposites. This is Nature's way of
progress through complementary contradictions,
here expressed in governance. She also expresses
elsewhere -- in fact everywhere. E.g. in
business through a traditional opposition of
executives and the remainder of the staff.
Through conflicts between nations; through
conflicts between lovers; even of ideas.
Everywhere we look, we will see such
complementary opposites that appear to be in
opposition, in duality.
As we rise in consciousness, the dualistic
nature of progress dissipates, and there is
growth and development in society through unity
that is also exceedingly diverse. We release
ourselves from a particular side to embrace the
Whole. (Where is the Whole? It is the sum of all
the truths of an object, and then some.) Life
progresses in this more conscious way through
positive energies only, not through an incessant
mixture of positive and negative. Even the
appearance of the negative in this new
consciousness is seen as positive in disguise.
As a result, progress is exceedingly fast, is
exceedingly smooth, is vast, and infinitely
creative -- replacing the slow and difficult
way of Nature that is our current way.
What is this consciousness
that sees the world in this new way? It occurs
when we take to rationality certainly, moving
away from our superstition and falsehood. More
than that it has the spiritual touch, which
expresses several ways: (1) a movement out of
ego and separateness; (2) a giving up of
exclusive points of view and the tendency to
take sides; (3) a connection within that sees
harmonies instead of dualities outside one's
self; that even sees the unity emerging from
conflicting opposites; (4) that acts in such a
way that opposition is never created. It is for
the future life, but we can each begin now by
connecting with the calm and serenity and joy
and love of our inner being and True Self. We
discover this spiritual Being by moving away
from the surface of life and connecting with the
silence within.
Evolution of
Organizations
-
We can see a
progression of organization of various institutions as they move
from physical to vital to mental to spiritual
-
In nations of the
past -- e.g. Japan, China, and European nations long ago etc. --
there were often two armies of that nation fighting against one
another for power.
-
This became
[evolved into] the political parties of democracy. This is a
movement from the physical to the vital, with an emerging mental
support of idealism.
-
Still the two
parties (today) are often at each other's throats, as they are
intensely attached to their own position; a vital (still somewhat
close to physical) tendency.
-
One possibility
for the future is for the two party system to be replaced by two
groups, each holding various points of view, who come together to
collaborate to find common ground, or even better, new fresh ideas,
policies, possibilities, etc. They are not attached, or are at least
are far less attached to their own position, which reflects the
mental stage. Perhaps it will be multiple groups who come together
for this purpose, or one group with individuals of various points of
view. There are many possibilities.
-
At a further
stage such individuals can aspire to truly embrace the other side's
view, see the wisdom in the opposite view, see the integral
relationship between various ideas presented, see the relationship
to the whole, to the emerging possibilities, etc. This could be a
first movement toward the spirit, i.e. of spiritual mind. Members
can even open to the higher power to receive answers, and to gain
the cooperation of life; or go within to enable thereafter
intuitions of knowledge, etc. etc.
-
The specifics
I am presenting are speculations, though we can anticipate the
possibilities along an arc from physical through spiritual. If we
can thoroughly know the history of a particular organization,
including its segment of the arc to the present, we can sense what
that organization could become in its next highest iteration; or at
least individuals could sense through their new spiritual sense what
they individually can do to bring a further integration of the
members, of the ideas, of the forms of organization.
-
This approach can
be adopted for understanding, evaluation, and recommendations for
any organization.
-
Perhaps a
discipline of Knowledge of Emerging Potentials could be developed
based on a mental and mento-spiritual foundation.
-
Expert systems or
other new forms of software could prove very useful.
[MSS Comments]
The rule the whole is more than the sum of the parts can help one
cross the border at each transition.
Best Ways to Serve Your Country
It is by being sincere, courageous, enduring and honest
that you can best serve your country,
make it one and great in the world.
(The Mother)
Valuing Spirit Takes
One To Fame in Certain Domains
Whether one is in politics or administration
or public life, one rises to the acme of true fame he does not seek if
his values are spiritual.
Those Against
Corruption Become Corrupt; The Stark Reality
They say
power corrupts. Power changes the view or vision. One who has been
vehemently speaking against corruption, begins to be corrupt when he
comes into that power. At that time, he feels it is right to be
corrupt. The President of the university
Teachers' Union was elected to the Syndicate from the Academic
Council. The moment he became a member of the Syndicate, he began to
behave as the Management, to the utter surprise of the union members.
These are persons who FEEL the immediate environment and do not have a
formed personality of their own. To him, it was right to espouse the
cause of the teachers while he was their President and it was equally
right to plead the cause of Management while on the Syndicate.
That was his logic. When the stark reality faces, his face undergoes a
great change. (MSS)
Other
(top)
Law
in Society
Law Makes Man
Civilized; Avoiding Law of the Jungle
Man is part of the society, an inseparable part of the society, which
functions by LAW. Man is part of the society, an inseparable part of
the society, which functions by LAW. It is lawful life that makes us
civilised. Without law in the country, it is jungle life where the
strong rule by a strong arm. (MSS)
Law that Enables Order,
Security in Society
Law is the outcome of collective living. Man living all by himself
is a law unto himself or the plane of life that generates law does not
arise. Living together makes order necessary. That which makes that
order possible is law. What each man requires and feels, other men too
require. It becomes a public perception. Perception matures into
understanding when the mind endorses what it observes. Mind lends its
mental force to that concept. An impersonal concept receiving the
endorsement of the individual conscience is the birth of a legal
necessity. Public conscience too can perceive it, can endorse it and
offer its sanction to codify it. It is law. The existence of Man
demands peace and order. Existence needs consciousness. Consciousness
needs law and order. (MSS)
Ultimate Law
On the surface, we see law; behind it is a higher justice. Further
beyond lies the world of dharma, which defies law as well as justice.
It is the Lord's Dharma. At its height, it can be only good.
(MSS)
Law of Society
In the courts, judgment is final; but a decree is needed to
execute.
Law lays down
the legal destiny of the society at large.
That is the constitution.
It is brought down to every walk of life.
Propriety, courtesy, procedure, custom, usage,
decency are the end expressions of the legal authority of the society
reaching the individual through the long arm of government.
(MSS)
Also See Thoughts on
Truth
Also See
Thoughts on Security in Society
Rights,
Human Rights
Man Must Step
Forward to Claim All His Rights
Man has the right to vote, he has the right to liberty, right of
assembly, right to express his opinion and enjoy many other
rights. Still, he does not have all
the rights that are his due. There
are
rights granted to him by the
government or society as a concession, perhaps in the spirit of
condescension or charity. Only when he emerges as an individual,
asserts his presence, comes forward to TAKE his
rights as his birthright, not as a matter of consideration,
will he come into his own RIGHT. [This is as MSS says elsewhere the
voicing of the Right of MAN, the individual. -editor] (MSS)
Untitled
the rise of democratic forms of government has been the result of a
revolutionary shift in the relative importance and positions accorded
by society to the individual and to the collective. This shift
involved a movement toward a more balanced relationship between the
rights and interests of the collective and the rights and interests of
individuals. It has resulted in parallel developments in the spheres
of philosophy, science, religion, economics, politics, education and
social culture. In the intellectual sphere it gave rise to the
Renaissance and the Enlightenment, in the field of religion to the
Reformation, in economy to the rise of capitalism, in politics to the
rise of democracy. (MSS)
Untitled
The idea of universe human rights and freedoms which we now identify
as the essence of democracy was at first cited as a justification for
redistribution of power to the commercial class and only much later as
a principle for extending rights and privileges to all citizens. This
shift continues today in countries around the world and may not yet
have reached its acme in any country. (MSS)
The Invisible
Movement of Rights in History, & the Emergence of Spiritual MAN in the
21st Century
There is an invisible movement in the air all over
the world which espouses the Rights of the oppressed. Now it is the
Blacks who are in favour, next it is the women. The street children
get their turn. The poor suddenly come into the favour of the world
and the whole world sings the chorus of the Right to Food, Right to
water, Right to Peace, etc. All types of Rights have emerged as the
target for the awakened world. It is a balm to the hearts of idealists
and visionaries the world over as the have-nots, downtrodden, the
oppressed and the invalids have now their share of the limelight. The
UN is the spearhead for most of these movements. The world is awakened
enough in her conscience that the world opinion readily swings to this
call. This development is imperceptible but unmistakable. I see behind
all these urges that MAN is emerging as someone to be counted
hereafter. The Spirit in MAN seeks expression, peeps out from its
hiding place. The symptoms are well-defined. He who seeks expression
is no longer the social man, but the Spiritual Individual. The 21st
century will be his century. (MSS)
End of Property
Rights & Law of Inheritance
The Mother argues for the abolition
of property rights and the law of inheritance. (MSS)
Evolution of Rights
Privileges were originally for the leader
only. Then the rights got extended
to his family -- royal family. Later it was for the nobles and
aristocracy, now it is the upper middle class. Finally it must be for
all. (MSS)
Rights & Mental Stage of Social
Development
-The mental stage
[of social development]
has established the
principle of human
rights and proclaimed the value of the
individual.
-We witness today the
confluence of factors that characterize the mental stage --
unprecedented political freedom, a global affirmation of the
individual and the
rights of the common man.
(MSS)
Rights to the Common Man
This transformation of the political
organization of societies which has extended basic human
rights at first to the middle class
and eventually to the common man.
(MSS)
Emergence of Rights in Society
Compared to Past
-Societies
in the past developed by a concentration of benefits of development
(knowledge, power, privilege and wealth) among a very small portion or
an elite class of its members. They are now distributing more of the
achievements of the elite to wider sections of the population out of
recognition that this makes the society as whole stronger and more
stable. Democratization, universal education, human
rights, social security and economic opportunity are
expressions of this movement.
-Societies in
the past suppressed, exploited or ignored the lower or weaker sections
of the population. They are now striving consciously to protect,
support and develop those sections through equal
rights and equal opportunities for less fortunate individuals
and weaker nations. (MSS)
Guaranteed Employment and Right of
the INDIVIDUAL
Guaranteeing Employment is not one more programme. It is a call to the
dormant world to wake up to the
Rights of the INDIVIDUAL. It is a
magnificent measure. And for the same reason, it will prove to be
explosive. (MSS, extracted)
Human Rights & Mental
Stage
Mental stage has established the principle of
human rights and proclaimed the value of the individual. (MSS)
Untitled
Democratic governments
are those in which fundamental human rights of individual citizens are
protected by the collective and in which the views of the
population-at-large, not just a ruling elite, are reflected in the
actions of government. (MSS)
Untitled
The idea of universe
human rights and freedoms which we now identify as the essence of
democracy was at first cited as a justification for redistribution of
power to the commercial class and only much later as a principle for
extending rights and privileges to all citizens. This shift continues
today in countries around the world and may not yet have reached its
acme in any country. (MSS)
Untitled
The third stage of social
development is one in which the mental component becomes more and more
predominant. This stage has three essential characteristics that
demarcate it from those that came before -- a great increase in the
practical application of mind to generate new inventions, in the
social application of mind to generate new and higher levels of
organization, and in the political application of mind to elevate the
status and rights of individual human beings. The first distant
origins of this phase in Europe can be traced back to the Renaissance
and the Enlightenment, when ideas began to gain freedom from
domination by church doctrine and traditional superstitious beliefs.
The mental component gained influence after the Reformation, which
empowered the individual to seek direct relations with God. It led
eventually to the proclamation of the political ideals embodied in the
American and French Revolutions and the establishment of human rights,
at first in principle and much later in practice. (MSS)
Also See Thoughts on History
