SNS Press: Seeking New Solutions

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November, 2010
Vol. 9, Number 11

 

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DEPARTMENTS

A hopeful approach for the future of international relations.

Redirect teen rebellion towards idealism and self improvement.

Read excerpts from unpublished book: Science, Religion and the Search for God —Bridging the Gap.

Poems of society, the human condition, and spiritual discovery.

Our student activities and curriculum materials instill an environmental, cultural, and global perspective, and integrate various academic disciplines.

Featured Articles about Responsibility, the Future and Consciousness:

Hope for the Future
Series on Leadership
Series on Global Consciousness
World Peace in Less Than a Month?
Can Idealism Solve Problems?
Conflict, Harmony and Integrity
Human Programming and Conflict
Non-violent Political Change
Living Without an Enemy
Protecting Children: Words and Deeds

 

 

 

 

This Month's Article

Meeting the Need

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

  • Politics that does not meet the need is false politics.
  • Philosophy that does not meet the need is false philosophy.
  • Society that does not meet the need is false society.
  • Economy that does not meet the need is false economy.

"What is the need?" one may ask.

The "need" is all around us, in all that we encounter in our daily life. Observe with compassion like the Little Prince. Our hearts know our responsibilities. The mind divides and excuses, while the heart unites and is true to one's consience.

"Isn't this too simplistic?" one may ask.

Life in its essence is simple. What is complicated is that humans resist the lessons that they need to learn in this life, by playing hide and seek with themselves.

The real questions should be:

  • "How may I live a life that is harmless and contributes the to the well being of the whole?
  • Must we as a society continue to live a life that is harmful to others and to the environment, and must we continue to cause conflict and suffering to others?"

"Shouldn't these questions be left to religion?" one may ask.

What is religion but the attempt to live rightly? Suffering is the symptom and indication of not living rightly. People are false to religion if they act to divide people and cause suffering, rather than to meet their needs.

"Isn't this just moralizing, with no consideration for harsh reality?" one may ask.

Reality is harsh when one feels separate from and competitive with others; when one is distrustful and negative. The harsh realities many now experience are caused by the consequences of past selfish living, not meeting the needs of others. It doesn't help when the false media exaggerates, deceives, and increases distrust and fear. We are not prey or predators in a jungle, we are human beings!

If living with a positive attitude, to meet the needs of others, seems impossible, one should try such a change and observe the results. There is no way to test the truth of this than by turning off the false media and doing it. In so doing, we may help build a supportive community.

What is simple seems the hardest because, as a society, we have complicated matters by our past fearful thoughts, feelings and actions, and created institutions that perpetuate false politics, false philosophy, false society, and false economy.

Instead of trying to undo the tangled mess of string, we need to start anew by weaving solutions to our problems in a proactive, creative and cooperative way. On the other hand, reactionary activities just pull the tangles tighter, causing a tug-of-war of frustration, anger, and blame. Simple, true living by first meeting one's essential needs and then the needs of others builds trust, is liberating and healing!

© 2010 Richard V. Sidy

Read Related Articles on SNS Press — Politics & Society

World Peace in less than a month?

Parallel Universes

Have we been willing Slaves?

Can Idealism Solve Problems?

Awakening

Read Related Poems on SNS Press

Making Friends

Battle

A Reasonable Life

Sounds of an Empty Promise

Nameless Beauty


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Archives Column Menu
archives archives archives
Archives 2002:
Vol. 1, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Hope for the Future
Six Part Series on Science and Religion
First Three Parts of the Series on Leadership
Archives 2003:
Vol. 2, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Series on Leadership continued
Avoiding Dictatorship in a Free Society

Art and Politics
Living the Good Life
Teaching Teens
World Peace in Less Than a Month?
Archives 2004:
Vol. 3, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Seven Part Series on Global Consciousness
Is "Liberal" a Dirty Word?
Can Idealism Solve Problems?
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All

Archives 2005:
Vol. 4, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Standing up for Humanity
Unity in Diversity
Thought and Imagination
Imagination and Healing
Lessons of Katrina
Intelligent Design or Evolution

Archives 2006:
Vol. 5, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Human Programming and Conflict
Non-Violent Political Change
Sustainable Development
Legalizing Torture
Living Without an Enemy
"Fast Food" is really "Slow Food"
Archives 2007:
Vol. 6, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
State of Fear
Criminal Justice
Culture Shock
Personal Ecology
Exploring the Mind - Parts 1 and 2
How Much Pain Can We Stand?
Archives 2008:
Vol. 7, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Beyond Ideology
The Imaginary Economy
Tribalism and the 2008 Election
Guilt, Shame and U.S. Justice
Have We Been Willing Slaves?
Are We Ready for the Future?
Archives 2009:
Vol. 8, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
Awakening
The Good New Days
The Time is Right
The New Anarchy
The Art of Living
Are Women Becoming More Unhappy?
From Cowboys to Cowed
Who are the Real Game Changers?
Archives 2010:
Vol. 9, Numbers 1-12

Read past articles including:
The Music of Place
Earthquakes and Other Awakenings
The Sense of Place
Why do People Serve?
Ecological Literacy
Organization or Organism?
Are we afraid of our Better Angels?
Choosing our Battles

Meeting the Need
Diplomacy Help for Teens Science and Religion Poetry Archives
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