PEACE AND HARMONY IN 2007 AND BEYOND: PART 3

THE SECOND PATHWAY

The second refers to a double “I” term, INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY, a term coined by Taussig. First, let’s consider just the word “integrity” that has meanings of honesty and moral uprightness and also wholeness and soundness. We think about people of integrity in these ways.

When we add the word “intellectual,” we move into the realm of ideas and human development. That is, new information is being added regularly, with the result that the mindsets of people who keep up is changed in two ways - by new ways of thinking or perceiving the real world and also by perhaps deleting some ideas that no longer fit a new wholeness. As knowledge grows, so this flood of information affects our viewpoints about perceptions of the natural processes (the world of science), philosophy and religion, and perhaps also our values. Immersion in the understanding of distant centuries needs to give way to worldviews that fit the 21st century. Only then can we deal with current reality, e.g., the perceptions that come from quantum physics, molecular biology, current cosmology, and recently discovered religious writings, e.g., the Nag Hammadi manuscripts.

My own orientations are to finding viable ways of adjusting theology to such scientific advances, so I tend to feel strongly that continuing modifications of our worldviews are necessary. In some religious orientations, however, the world of science is sadly excluded and demeaned, and no adjustments to these changing viewpoints take place.

Taussig briefly mentions progressive congregations that include discussions of science, and other theologically oriented writers have indicated the need for this emphasis, e.g., Borg and Spong. Florida features technology as a key to attracting talent, thereby speaking to this issue in his context. The one of the Troika writers who does the best is Wilbur who has biochemistry roots.

Conversely, religious groups that ignore such advances become less and less relevant in the perceptions of intellectuals, the result being that such religious groups lose the vigor that Florida features.

THE THIRD PATHWAY

The last of the “I” words is INTEGRATION. Inherent in much of the above is the concept of breadth of thinking. Acceptance of diverse ideas, often in the context of being able to balance opposing ideas and integrating differing personal life styles are critical, all of which are opposite to exclusivity mindsets. The epitome of writers in this vein is Wilbur whose every thinking and every programmatic thrust includes the word “Integral” – his book title cited above, his Integral Institute, Integral University, Integral Life Practice and more. The breadth of his integration goes far beyond that of any other author because he has devoted his life to studying world religions, diverse philosophies, diverse life styles, and many cultures and the acceptance of all without any attempt to dominate. This mindset is the peak attainment of human beings, a transformative pattern that could lead to peace and harmony between many viewpoints. Read Wilbur and be prepared to immerse yourself in integrative thinking and have your mind stretched, strengthened, and changed. Ken Wilbur is the personification of integration.

Whether we like it or not, we are being forced into thinking more about integrating diversity everywhere. There is no way to avoid the trends engulfing us: a diaspora of Muslims and refugees from less developed countries spreading across the developed countries; trends of many people throughout the world for more freedom in eating, dressing, socializing, and entertainment styles; and more sophisticated technology, convenience of communication, and depth of intellectual thinking.

We are being required to balance differing - even opposing - ideas, accept cultural differences and life styles, and become considerate of and conversant on other religions and philosophies.

A VISION FOR 2007 AND BEYOND

To read these three authors would be a way to start thinking in these ways or, if you’ve read their earlier works, these three books would extend your understanding of their messages and themes. More importantly, if you adopt some of them and weave the commonalities of their thoughts into your own thinking, you will go a long way into greater inclusivity, intellectual integrity, and integration in your thoughts, actions, and maturation. And you will be able to function much better in places where work as it is changing around us whether it is in the neighborhood in which you live, the places you work, the places you worship, and with your avocational-interest friends.

THIS POWERFUL TROIKA OF “I” CONCEPTS CAN PULL THE CHARIOT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FORWARD AND YIELD A PROMISING, OPTIMISTIC, HOPEFUL LOOK INTO THE FUTURE. THE FOCUS IS ON DIVERSITY, BALANCES, AND INTEGRATIONS.

PICTURE IN YOUR MIND’S EYE A TROIKA, A HUGE SLEIGH, BEING PULLED ACROSS THE SKY BY THREE WHITE STALLIONS AND LOADED WITH ALL KINDS PEOPLE ENJOYING AN EXHILARATING RIDE TOGETHER. AND YOU HAPPILY IN THE MIDDLE OF ABOUT 200 HAPPY DIVERSE PEOPLE! THIS IS A VISION FOR 2007 AND BEYOND

PEACE AND HARMONY IN 2007 AND BEYOND: PART 1

A TROIKA AND THREE I’S

“Troika” is a Russian word with two pregnant meanings. The oldest is both real and mythological and refers to a means of transportation – typically a multi-passenger sleigh drawn by three strong horses. Thus it refers to a winter activity, and the image is of a cold, cold Russian day, passengers bundled in fur-lined parkas and heavy coats, and three powerful horses galloping across the snow.

The second is newer, less exhilarating, and unpleasant. The Soviet Union used triumvirates, NKVD troikas, to mete out extrajudicial punishments of anti-Soviet elements beginning in 1918 but more particularly in trials during the Great Purge. (Consult Wikipedia and “troika” for more.) Nothing that follows has this negative meaning! The number “three” was said to be the minimum for voting and decision-making.

However, I do invoke a triumvirate of people who have differing specializations, three writers of recent books. Those differences lead, surprisingly, to convergent meanings and are therefore worth our attention. That troika-style convergence is what I want you to realize.

Finally, I will conclude with a new troika – one vital for charting paths into the future – and the above title refers to A FUTURE-ORIENTED TROIKA THAT CAN LEAD US TO PEACE AND HARMONY in our conflict-ridden world.

THE AUTHORS AND THEIR BOOKS

The first is another in the well-known series by Richard Florida, this one titled THE FLIGHT OF THE CREATIVE CLASS: THE NEW GLOBAL COMPETITION FOR TALENT (HarperCollins, New York, 2005, 326 p.). His book is catalogued in three areas, all relating to the United States: intellectual capital, creative ability, and technological innovations. Florida discusses the features that typify cities and regions that draw creative talent so magnetically that economic growth results far more effectively than other places. Post-materialistic attitudes of yearning for job satisfaction, intellectual development, and personal sense of worth become the factors that drive choices of the most talented about where and how to live – anywhere in the world. One feature of these high growth areas is a surprise to many people. He encapsulates the importance of the features found in vigorous regions in his three “T’s:” Technology, Tolerance, and Talent.

The second is Hal Taussig’s, A NEW PLACE TO LIVE: PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY AT THE GRASS ROOTS (Polebridge Press, Santa Rosa, CA, 2006, 203 p.) He is a less recognized author of three previous books who is a theologian, minister, and lecturer and writes from a scholarly devotion to a developing movement in the United States. From traveling nationwide and a year of researching, he found, describes, and lists a growing number of these progressive churches (His incomplete list is of 1,000 spread among most mainline denominations including Roman Catholic ones and independent churches.) He characterizes this group with a clear set of features that belie the diversity of their origins.

The third is by a prolific writer for the past 25 years, Ken Wilbur: INTEGRAL SPIRITUALITY: A STARTLING NEW ROLE FOR RELIGION IN THE MDOERN AND POSTMODERN WORLD (Integral Books, Boston, 2006, 313 p.) His beginnings were in biochemistry, but he soon turned to philosophy, publishing his first and important book, The Spectrum of Consciousness, in his mid-twenties. It was followed by more than twenty volumes. His 2006 volume summaries and extends his concepts that are based on an extraordinary knowledge of world religions, an ability to integrate the world of science and theology, and a grasp of philosophy, all applied to the present and also projected into the future with its need for a practical perception of spirituality and a pragmatic philosophy of hope, broadly applied.

In summary, this is the Troika of authors, one a theologian, another studying economic development, and the third a philosopher. In my next two postings, it is the “I” words that will be discussed, each of which leads to a pathway for human progress. We will find valuable similarities in their thinking, findings, and conclusions.