We, the People

This sense of dis-satisfaction isn\’t a new problem. It\’s been going on for as long as civilisation has reigned, and in just about every nation state that has ever been formed over the last ten millennia or so (since agriculture completely changed our way of life). There have been many political systems that have been tried during this time, mostly revolving around monarchies, authoritarianism and of course \”¦ democracy. There is no question that some of the greatest abuses seem to stem from dictatorships; we only need to look at Mao and Stalin to confirm this. However, on the other side of the ledger, we have Hitler who was democratically elected and kicked off the most brutal episode of war in human history! And of course dear old George W B who created the latest major conflagration in Iraq, in the name of democracy, resulting in, what can only be politely called, \”a mess\”.

And then there are the more subtle aspects of democracy. This has been the dominant political system of the last 70 years, and under its stewardship, inequality has risen, climate change is threatening our very way of life, and we\’ve polluted the world and burned down the rainforests more voraciously than any other inhabitants of our fair planet.

So rather than worrying about which politician or party to vote for, how about we put our attention on the make-up of the political system instead? Because if we\’re truly honest with ourselves, the main candidates are all offering pretty much the same thing it seems. They\’re simply sporting a different colour tie!

So what other assumptions are we not questioning in our lives? On the subject of politics, the NHS is of course the biggest political football going. Nobody is willing to openly admit the NHS is on the verge of bankruptcy, they simply want to rearrange the deck chairs as the Titanic goes down. Whilst grappling with the efficiencies of running a behemoth based on western medical practise, why not start giving some serious attention to more preventative medicine? And not just diet and exercise leaflets and other such things, which scientifically yield very poor results. But what about the plethora of complimentary therapies and treatments which are out there? If our meditation successes are anything to go by, we could probably save the NHS tens of billions of pounds a year, and help keep it a sustainable ship that can continue to do what it does best.

Another big political given is that economic growth is good. There are very compelling reasons for this. We look at footage of people in slums or on the savannahs of Africa, and we think \’no thanks!\’ And yet, the slums of India and the factories and villages of the Far East are some of the happiest places I\’ve ever been. And the wealthiest cities of the world (in the economical sense of the word)? They\’re some of the most unhappy and soulless places on the planet! Why not let us consider the Bhutanese model of Gross National Happiness rather than Gross Domestic Product?

We also never, ever question the monetary system. And yet, is it really in the interests of the wider populace that there is a monopoly on the supply of money? And is a fiat money system, where central banks can create money out of thin air and their client banks can create debt out of thin air, really the best way to promote the happiness, health and sustainability of the people? There are some very good arguments to the contrary. It seems to lead to greater levels of inequality, greater environmental recklessness and greater doping of the masses rather than promoting self-sufficiency. But anyone who questions it gets very quickly shot down in flames by mainstream media, academics, politicians and business interests (the writings of Murray Rothbard would be a good port of call for anyone wishing to understand the counter arguments).

And then there is religion, marriage and the good \’ole British institution of homeownership which similarly go unquestioned by many in those jurisdictions where the prevailing worldview is held as gospel.

So where do we go to look for answers on this multifarious set of deep and very meaningful questions for our way of life? All we can do is look within. And if we can tune into our purest, deepest selves, and if we can gain contact with something that feels bigger than our monkey-brained agendas, perhaps we can question these things without fear of not knowing the answer, without fear of finding the answer is completely opposite to what we\’ve always thought, or without fear that other people would never subscribe to our alternative model.

Ultimately, if we want big change in the world, we\’re going to have look at all of the systems that are in place and which are conveniently not being questioned, and maybe, just maybe, we\’re going to find some superior ways of doing things. But the only way we\’ll find something sustainable and uplifting is if we uplift our state of consciousness. And that begins with each and every individual choosing to set themselves free of the bonds of stress and negative programming, and starting to grow as a whole human being who doesn\’t seek love out of need, but of expression, and who doesn\’t seek a government to sort its problems out, but who sorts their own problems out and having done so, inspires and enables others to do likewise.

Indeed, as any political scientist can tell us, enlightened leadership is the most politically scientific complete model there is. But I would go a stage further and say that an enlightened collective will then lead to enlightened leadership as we, the people, are actually the ones who vote, at the ballot box and, at the checkout. It is our collective will which is shaping things and we are just as culpable as the people who are supposed to serve us. So in addition to voting for the chap with the colour tie you most resonate with, how about voting to empower yourself with a higher state of consciousness and an ability to see through the layers of cultural conditioning? How about allowing yourself to spontaneously make choices which benefit not just yourself and your family, but the whole collective? For you have the ability to echo in a whole wealth of change that can lead to an extraordinarily more rich and fulfilling life experience for you and the world in which you are part of.

Now that gets my vote!