Seeking New Solutions
IDEAS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
February, 2004
Vol. 3, Number 2
   
Read Selections on
Leadership from the book,
World Diplomacy:
Leadership (four rules)
World Diplomacy
(vol. 1, no. 10 - Oct., 2002)
Leadership(Criterion 1) World Diplomacy
(vol. 1, no.11 - Nov., 2002)
Leadership(Criterion 2) World Diplomacy
(vol. 1, no. 12 - Dec., 2002)
Leadership(Criterion 3) World Diplomacy
(vol. 2, no. 1 - Jan., 2003)
Leadership(Criterion 4) World Diplomacy
(vol. 2, no. 2 - Feb., 2003)
Other excerpts from the book
World Diplomacy:
Introduction
World Diplomacy
(vol.1, no. 2 - Feb., 2002)
Hope for the Future
World Diplomacy
(vol. 1, no. 9 - Sept.,2002)

 

Archives 2003: Read previous monthly selections
January:
(Vol. 2, No. 1)

Leadership Criterion 3: Leaders are dedicated to solve the problems of the planet

February:
(Vol. 2, No. 2)

Leadership Criterion 4: Leaders create cooperation and hope.

March:
(Vol. 2, No. 3)
Avoiding Dictatorship in a Free Society — Part 1
April:
(Vol. 2, No. 4)
Avoiding Dictatorship in a Free Society — Part 2
May:
(Vol. 2, No. 5)
Art and Politics
June:
(Vol. 2, No. 6)
Living the Good Life
July:
(Vol. 2, No. 7)
Core Values
August:
(Vol. 2, No. 8)
The Tour de France — A
Sporting Model for Diplomacy
September
(Vol. 2, No. 9)
Teaching Teens — Part I
October
(Vol. 2, No. 10)
Teaching Teens — Part II
November
(Vol. 2, No. 11)
Moving Forward
December
(Vol. 2, No. 12)
Worls Peace in Less Than a Month?

 

© 2004 SNS Press. All rights reserved.

Global Consciousness I

Starting this month Seeking New Solutions E-zine begins a series of seven articles on the senses that create global consciousness. Just as there are five physical senses that contribute to our awareness of the physical world, there are seven psychological or spiritual senses which contribute to our awareness of the social and political worlds that influence human life and define the way human beings live on this planet.

Consciousness is not just perception, but it is also how we translate our perceptions into action. Consciousness defines our relationships. It defines our vision of human purpose and of social responsibilities. The senses which contribute to global consciousness are essential for creating socio-political relationships and policies which contribute to the fulfillment of human life and to the preservation of our planet.

When leaders and diplomats are people of global consciousness, we will realize the universal rights of freedom, prosperity, health and happiness which only a world at peace can achieve through mutual respect and cooperation. Global consciousness recognizes the needs of humanity and the planet and motivates people to meet them.

<<Global Consciousness I: The Sense of Economy
<<Global Consciousness II: The Sense of Gratitude
<<Global Consciousness III: The Sense of Justice
<<Global Consciousness IV : The Sense of Beauty
<<Global Consciousness V : The Sense of Responsibility
<<Global Consciousness VI: The Sense of Unity
<<Global Consciousness VII: The Sense of the Sacred

The Sense of Economy
Adapted from the book World Diplomacy by Richard Sidy
Chapter VIII, "Global Consciousness."

The sense of economy is the use of all resources for the improvement of human life and of the natural environment which supports it. It is the sense that knows how to apply energy, time and materials in the right amount for the right purpose. The sense of economy is the wisdom to use resources to meet the most essential needs. It is like justice acting in the material world, promoting the equilibrium and balance between taking and giving back.

If resources are used to create pain and suffering rather than to create health and well-being, then that is evidence that there is no sense of economy in those who control resources. The resources of our earth—time, energy, people and matter— exist to promote life, liberty, personal fulfillment, and unity. That is their purpose. That purpose prescribes the basic rights of all people. It is the responsibility of society to advance these rights within the framework of equilibrium and balance. Waste, pollution, debt, and deprivation in any sector of society or nature indicate that there is no sense of economy. When resources are used to separate, exclude or punish people or when their use creates unhappiness, fear, and want, the sense of economy is absent.

The pure sense of economy is demonstrated through cooperation—amongst people, between nations and with nature. Cooperation comes from the awareness of the unity of all existence and from the desire to realize the highest potential of all working together in harmony. The sense of economy is expressed through integrity. Integrity is the awareness of the unity of means and ends. Goals can not be achieved with integrity if the means to reach them violate the laws of economy. In other words, good results cannot be achieved by hurting people or nature in the process.

In this materialistic world it is rare to consider economics as a spiritual awareness. However, when expressed as a balanced use of resources for the betterment of both the user and the resources, it will create prosperity in a universally humane and ecological way. The sense of economy, when governing human production and consumption, will always improve the human condition and lead to progressively higher levels of self actualization and spiritual fulfillment.

© 2004 Richard Sidy


Archives 2004
Read previous monthly selections
January: (Vol. 3, No. 1)
The Four Freedoms
February: (Vol. 3, No. 2)
Global Consciousness I
March: (Vol. 3, No. 3)
Global Consciousness II
April: (Vol. 3, No. 4)
Global Consciousness III
May: (Vol. 3, No. 5)
Global Consciousness IV
June: (Vol. 3, No. 6)
Global Consciousness V
July: (Vol. 3, No. 7)
Global Consciousness V
I
August: (Vol. 3, No. 8)
Global Consciousness V
II
September: (Vol. 3, No. 9)
Is "Liberal" a Dirty Word?
October: (Vol. 3, No. 10)
Bullies in Our Political Culture
November: (Vol. 3, No. 11)
Can Idealism Solve Problems?
December: (Vol. 3, No. 12) Peace on Earth, Goodwill

 

top of page