Recently I read something that
caused an eye-opening AHA moment for me. However, for the life of me I cannot
remember where I read it. I just want you to know this observation is not
original with me. The eye-opening thought was an observation concerning the
difference between Individualism and Being Independent.
Here in the U.S. we are
witnessing a movement couched in the framework of old-time freedom and
independence – as in our 18th century patriots who fought the
British for our independence. However, this newfound sense of “fighting for
freedom from government” or protesting government’s “encroachment on our
individual liberties” is NOT what our
Founding Fathers were doing. Our Founding Fathers were not simply against the
British government. More importantly, they were collectively FOR
self-government and personal self-restraint for their common, collective good. Their
sense of collective freedom rested on the necessity of collective
responsibility.
We have confused a 21st
century sense of individualism with our Founding Fathers’ 18th
century concept of freedom and independence.
What is missing from today’s
“patriots” is this sense of collective personal interdependence – this
willingness and acknowledgment that each individual operates with
self-restraint for the common, collective good of the nation. It is a belief
that we are all in this together. We all protect each other. We all respect
each other, even if we differ. We all respect the democratic process, which
means we encourage the voting process, respect the opinion of the majority, and
operate within the “rules” if we want to change the majority opinion. It is an
understanding that we, as a country, are only as strong as the weakest part of
our citizenry.
Individualism, as generally
expressed today, is much more like the independent freedom as expressed by
explorers, early mountain men, or the earliest settlers. It is an understanding
that you are on your own, must make your own way, solve your own problems, and
– most importantly – survive.
A sense of individualism is
absolutely necessary for individual survival. By necessity survival is based on
the concept “It’s all about me.”
A sense of interdependent
personal freedom is absolutely necessary for a democratic society. Collective
freedom rests on a sense of collective responsibility. By necessity a
democratic society is based on the concept “It’s all about us.”
These two concepts are not the
same. An individualistic concept of freedom may be collectively expressed as
anarchy. An interdependent concept of social commitment may be collectively
expressed as a representative democracy.
That set of distinctions really
resonated with me.
Immediately I thought of similarities
with the “me-ism” of growing segments of our population, exhibited in a growth of
the use of social media and an “I-Am-A-Star” mentality – the kind of drive that
motivates someone to post Facebook pictures of themselves or Tweet about their
shopping experiences at a mall.
From a spiritual point of view
this all may lead to a further sense of separation – solidifying the sense that
“I am me and you are not,” and I have to take care of me and mine. If that idea of individual separateness continues
our spiritual growth as humankind will suffer a setback. On the other hand this
“Star” mentality may lead to a growing sense of Oneness – a sense that others
are truly NOT so different from me – a sense that, in truth, we are all united
as one single human race living on a beautiful blue orb floating in space. This
is the type of social media use we have already glimpsed in the Arab Spring
uprisings.
If the latter occurs, perhaps we
will continue to evolve towards a caring, sharing interdependent society rather
than a competitive, individualistic survivalist social system.
Time will tell.
Although these messages are
mostly for me, thanks for listening. As always – feel free to forward this
message to your friends, family, and those accompanying you on your spiritual
journey.
Don
#1 February, 2014
Copyright, 2014
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