While
away with my daughter’s family for Thanksgiving, I was able to relax (and eat!
and eat!) and catch my spiritual breath. As I began to ponder the events of
Trump’s apparent election, I really began recalling all the similar movements
and events across Europe. After doing a little research I have had some ideas
begin to solidify in my mind. I want to share those thoughts with you today.
I have written earlier in November about
keeping informed and aware, as well as maintaining a check on fear and anger by
practicing acceptance, which is awareness without fear. Fear is a terribly
powerful emotion that is absolutely from our short-term-focused egoic minds. Fear, more than anything else, will cover up
the natural awareness of our Oneness, which is the natural state of our
spiritual Selves.
This message is to provide you with some food
for thought in order to assist you in dealing with your fear of what might
happen under Ultra Right-Wing political movements across the globe, including
under Trump.
Let’s start with a definition of right-wing
politics from Wikipedia and a few other sources: Far-right politics often involve a focus on tradition, real or
imagined, as opposed to policies and customs that are regarded as reflective of
the current situation. Many far-right ideologies have a disregard or disdain
for egalitarianism [believing in the
principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights], if not overt support for social hierarchy,
elements of social conservatism and opposition to most forms of “liberal/progressive”
political action.
The term
“Right-Wing Politics” is commonly used to describe ultra conservative populist
ideologies known for extreme nationalism and opposition to immigration, as well
as … fascism, … and other ideologies or organizations that feature extreme
nationalist, chauvinist, xenophobic, racist, or reactionary views, which can
lead to oppression and violence against groups of people based on their
supposed inferiority, or their perceived threat to the nation, state or
ultraconservative traditional social institutions.
Marine
Le Pen leads the National Front, a socially conservative, nationalist
political party in France. Frauke Petry is the leader of the
rightwing populist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany. Britain First
is led by Paul Golding. The
intimidation tactics used by the organization include “mosque invasions”, where
uniformed members hand anti-Islam leaflets to worshippers, and “Christian
Patrols” outside mosques which stir up hatred and often end in violence. Most
of the more-right leaders are not that rigid, such as Michael Howard, Iain Duncan Smith, and Nigel Farage. And now, of course we have Donald Trump here is the USA, who is excitedly supported by all
sorts of ultra right-wing groups who find his message very reassuring.
What all these groups seem to have in common,
within a whole spectrum of varying degrees, are distinct strands of very
extreme social conservatism, extreme nationalism, chauvinism, and xenophobic,
racist, or reactionary views of social values and of government at all levels.
Underneath all this, I believe, is a
combination of frustration-anger-fear-disillusionment as a result of not
“fitting in” with the new, emerging world many people perceive – and perceive
with fear and apprehension. This is a global phenomenon. This is not unique to the U.S. What is
happening in Europe is happening here. People feel left out and overlooked
because they have been left out and overlooked. [I am not referring to people
who have been victimized by war or cheated by illegal activities, or destroyed
by criminal acts.]
Another common thread the disaffected populace
fails to understand is that their feeling of being “left out” is a function of
their own refusal to adjust. So, rather than looking inward and dealing with
the problem of their desire to maintain their
cultural-social-political-religious traditions, they want someone to explain
why it seems the world has gone off and left them high and dry. In short, the
world is moving forward while they are steadfastly standing still. The result?
They are left high and dry.
Any politician who speaks the language of their
fear and anxiety will generate an emotional connection with these folks and
will be rewarded with their trust – and their votes. These politicians also
find themselves in a position to focus this emotional connection on whatever
target(s) they choose.
That is, in my opinion, where the danger comes
in. This is where we must be aware.
A positive political leader will attempt to
focus this emotional connection on our commonality or Oneness and provide
distinct, doable avenues of action to bring these disaffected folks into this new
global community we now live in. The guiding principle is usually some sort of
message of: “a rising tide will raise all boats” – not just a select few.
However, most politicians operate in a
shortsighted, just-get-elected mode. They will use the emotional connection
they have formed to focus their audience on whatever the politician senses
motivates them: anti-immigrant nationalism, continued male dominance (it’s okay
for men to have affairs, but not women; it’s okay for women to undergo
difficulties in obtaining contraceptives to control their reproductive health,
while ALL men easily can obtain Viagra to enhance their sexual performance –
with whom?), and other reactionary targets – e.g., gays, women’s health
decisions, law and order (with or without justice); building on the myth of the
universal principles of Christianity (defined, of course by the biblical
literalists) – as opposed to Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, humanitarianism or
altruism, etc..
We can understand the frustration and fear of
these many global citizens. We can
accept them as they are by being aware without fear. We also must be actively
alert, aware, and informed as to where politicians are directing their audience
to focus their stoked up and enflamed anger and fear. That’s what we can do.
To hate haters simply increases hate. To fear
the fearers increases fear. To do nothing increases apathy, which creates a
vacuum that will be filled by any organized fear-based activity. By not
succumbing to our fear, we allow our spiritual light to shine. By fostering
acceptance – being aware without fear – we are building the tolerance necessary
for the emerging Oneness our globalization is fostering.
I hope this helps.
As I’ve stated before, “I have to understand,
on a visceral level, who the “Me” or “I” really is when I am speaking or
thinking. The “I” that says to myself, “I really need a newer, more reliable
car” is a different “I” than the one that says to Spirit, “I can’t do this
anymore; help me perceive things the way You see them.”
Although these messages are mostly for me,
thanks for listening to me and getting to know me – warts and all. As always,
feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those
accompanying you on your spiritual journey.
Don
#1 Dec 2016
Copyright 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment