SNS Press: Seeking New Solutions E-Zine

Global Consciousness VI

The Sense of Unity

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

Unity is a basic law of nature. Life itself is the result of unity and it is sustained by unity. Socially, psychologically, and politically human life has evolved towards greater unity. Today we are living in a world where everything from environmental concerns to sports and entertainment is global, pushing the human consciousness to overcome the sense of selfishness and to view the individual as part of an interdependent whole. Nevertheless, unity continues to be one of the last frontiers as people struggle to overcome the barriers of personal identity and the sense of separateness that it produces. Greed, nationalism, ethnic, and religious separation are still used by leaders of self-centered consciousness to divide people and make them competitive and fearful, rather than cooperative. Those who create policies which seek domination - of others, of nature, of economy, of ideas - rather than unity, are the greatest threat to human culture and survival.

The sense of unity is an understanding of a shared purpose and shared welfare in which diversity serves to enrich rather than to divide. The sense of unity produces peace where all are working together to fulfill the physical, psychological and social needs which produce security, quality of life and progress. The sense of unity as a motivating force for human values and behavior is constructive. It is what created civilization in the first place and what now is behind all movements and organizations that promote peace and human welfare. Selfishness and self-serving ideologies and doctrines are behind the destructive forces of hatred and the desire for domination that produce chaos, insecurity, and human suffering.

Cohesiveness, integrity, and the sense of belonging are the result of the sense of unity. These are psychological prerequisites which start on an individual level and form the foundation for successful relationships. They make people feel confident and not threatened by differences. When people are unified within themselves they become contributing parts of integrated social units which are the building blocks of successful societies which in turn become the building blocks of a world characterized by cooperation and peace. This progression of the sense of unity from the individual to society when continuing to humanity and to the natural world may produce individuals who see themselves as world citizens motivated to protect and nourish all of life on our planet.

What we must demand of our leaders is that they set an example of the sense of unity through their policies and attitudes, and create the necessary conditions for every individual to develop the sense of unity. Only then may people be free of fear and realize their potentials as constructive members of a world at peace. This sense is that which produces love and is the main element which sustains life and well-being.

(For more on leadership and the characteristics of leaders who have global consciousness read the Leadership Series)

<<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

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 VI	August: (Vol. 3, No. 8) Global Consciousness VII	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

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