I was re-reading the Statement on Baha'u'llah and was struck by the first sentence:
“As the new millennium approaches, the crucial need of the human race is to find a unifying vision of the nature of man and society.”
A unifying vision. What does that mean? What would a unifying vision of the nature of man look like?
Right now we have a bunch of different views of the nature of man: In economics, we humans are defined as consumers, self-interested deal-seekers. Psychology views us as beings motivated by our unconscious desires. Biology defines us by our physical and chemical make-up. Medicine sees diseases that need to be cured. Business characterizes us as customers with money to spend. Government considers us taxpayers. Politicians court us as voters to be swayed to their point of view. Schools see us as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge.
But we know we are so much more than that. We love our children. We care for our neighbors. We volunteer for local and international causes. We give blood and donate money. We live, love, breathe, serve and strive. We ponder mysteries and seek to understand ourselves and others.
These are all spiritual activities.
What would happen if we were to view ourselves as spiritual beings first and secondly as consumers, producers, customers, taxpayers, voters and students?
How would our economics change? How would our schools be different? What would business be like? How would our healthcare support us? What kind of government would we create?
How would we act differently?
Posts
