: : : Albert Einstein's discovery of the interchangeability of energy and matter (E=mc2} and subsequent studies into the irrational realm of quantum physics caused a revolution in 20th century thought which bridged the gulf between science and spirituality. Einstein's genius was to see (and express mathematically) the unity of Spirit and matter and to extrapolate a value system and purpose to human existence in his writings that echo most philosophical and religious traditions. It is a fundamental religious/spiritual experience to transcend our individual prisons to join with the whole, The One and the unity of all life. So then, it is a fundamental spiritual value to see the unity of all life on Earth and to seek compassion for Earth and all her beauty. Einstein adds that this is the path toward inner security.
: : : What better place to begin an articulation of spiritual values than here at the bridge between science and spirituality. If we adopt Einstein's statement of the unity of all life and draw upon all faith traditions that speak to this principle of unity and then couple these with the thoughts of contemporary 'Dancing Wu Li Masters' who are busily mapping consciousness, we will have an interfaith and science based foundation upon which to build a values and policy pyramid.
: : : For example, based upon the unity in Spirit of all beings, Jesus would say, "Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do unto me." Stated differently as policy: "The subjugation and oppression of defenseless peoples is in fact the subjugation and oppression of the entire human spirit."
: : : In Native "American and most indigenous peoples' traditions, the unity of all life is a 'given.' Thus, they state as a spiritual value the preservation of the quality and abundance of life for the seventh generation. Implied in this value is policy and leadership. Also, implied is responsibility and accountability.
: : : Speaking from a pagan perspective, this spiritual transcendence unto the unity of all life is facilitated and in fact made possible by communion with the Earth and Earth Spirit. For this and countless other reasons we consider the Earth sacred. Numerous spiritual values directly flow from this Sacred Earth faith: Balance (the Golden Mean), humility, meaning and purpose, reverence for Beauty, a sense of wonder and the Sacred Quest; values which can translate into policy and tools for any social movement. Balance is 'homeostasis,' that law which governs all Earth processes. Seeking to restore or return to a state of balance with the Earth means (as a policy) including Earth-based ritual and spiritual traditions in any interfaith gathering. It also means advocating for Sacred Feminine within traditional patriarchal religions. Globally, restoring homeostasis means adopting policies of appropriate technology, stopping the process of global warming and use of pesticides, strip mining, etc., but also it implies solidarity with indigenous peoples in their struggle against globalization and privatization of their land and resources. A value of seeking balance means directly embracing policies of sustainability in agriculture and industry. And, of course, it means putting an end to wars of conquest for resources.
: : : The myth of the sacred quest applies to our undertaking in the words of the Hopi Elder's message in 2000: "All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration." We are all on a sacred quest, one that will exact a great toll and present challenges to our belief systems, prejudices and preconceptions. The sooner we all realize this, the better.
: : : To this end I believe the spiritual values task force must stress the need for interfaith ceremony as an integral and contextual part of all political public gatherings and as the touchstone for spiritual guidance and revitalization of our Progressive movement. We should not be concerned about dogma but rather focus upon the Spirit which has the power to unify all hearts and all sacred traditions. All faiths must pour their holy water into The Well to lift up all hearts (even atheists}. Should we manage to create an interfaith movement of ceremony, song and celebration which can touch all hearts and spirits--we can not lose.
: : : Carl Jung spoke of the unity principle. He called it the Collective Unconscious and articulated its great creative and destructive power through the vehicles of symbol, myth and archetype. The destructive elements are what Jung calls, 'shadow'--our collective dark side. It is through the difficult process of accepting our own individual shadow and seeing this mirrored in those we once judged severely, that we gain compassion for others (including our enemies), and begin to touch the whole.
: : : Jungian shadow work holds as values: patience, compassion introspection and personal responsibility. Of these, I believe, personal responsibility would be the most difficult for many 'progressives' to grapple with, weaned as it were on decades of victim laden rhetoric, but it is a most important value for us to advance (whether it is a spiritual value is another question). Taking personal responsibility for your own life challenges and for the health and welfare of your family and community is a foundation for an ascendant culture. Indeed, this is an underlying principle of the "Millions More Movement" within today's African American community.
: : : From this very same community, a generation past, we witnessed the awesome power of non-violence--a primary spiritual value stemming from the unity principle of the human spirit. And if we speak of the non-violence of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., we also speak of the Prophetic Tradition of Judaism (and Christian Evangelicals) which he embodied. The Prophetic Tradition is and has always been the advocacy tradition for economic and social justice. It is the voice of moral outrage speaking Truth (with a capital 't') to power. That voice is alive today and I believe we would do well to articulate some of the underlying spiritual values contained in the Prophetic Tradition in the final document and relate them to the specific evils of our ruling class and their corrupt policies. If the Progressive movement is to have any relevance it must have the moral authority to indict the ethical bankrupt system of war profiteering, greed, cronyism, bribery, fraud and crimes known and unseen.
: : : On a practical policy level, the spiritual and the political may collide over issues such as abortion. The unity principle requires that policies be inclusive not exclusionary or divisive. Abortion is a divisive issue and would have that effect if we make it a hallmark of progressive policy. But if we, the Spiritual Values policy makers, choose to see abortion, or gay marriage for example, as the 'territory' of our spiritual values movement rather than its cause celebre, we open our hearts to the human drama and discourse of the soul and thereby gain compassion for both sides. From compassion and dialogue can emerge a bridge toward common ground. We can create a similar bridge to taking a moral stand against pornography and violence in the media if we cross those bridges over wedge issues we can defeat the Empire and regain our Democracy.
: : : Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to return to Einstein's call for compassion for nature/Earth and all its beauty as the path to inner security. At a time when fear-mongering and hate-mongering have obliterated any sense of security remaining in a world of uncertainty, love and compassion are vital forces to combat this evil couplet. The Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh comes to mind as exemplary of love in action (actually he wrote a book by that name). His poetry and life story speak to the depth of his spirit and compassion. Thich Nhat Hanh stresses the need for self-examination so that the spiritual work on our own violence is the path toward world peace (not hurling epithets at police). His words and presence made an enormous impact upon Cindy Sheehan and I would urge us to state these spiritual values of compassion, self examination and silence as a model to employ in public demonstrations against the war machine.
: : : I hope these thoughts prove useful....I have more....but that's it for now.
Namaste
Elliot
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