This old saying came to me this morning as I was vaguely thinking about the state of affairs in the world, and how they seem to be trending in an ominous direction. Comparisons to 1935 in Europe are being used widely in the media, as the looming specter of fascism, totalitarianism and extreme right-wing power seems to be on the rise in multiple places all at once.
Seems.
Regular readers of this blog know that I have never blogged about political affairs, even though that was my métier (profession) in a past life, in my career in New York State government and politics.
From an early age, I have been fascinated by all things political, a trait I apparently got from my maternal grandfather who I never knew because he died before I was born.
But my Aunt Marie often talked about his deep, abiding love for politics, and the Democratic Party specifically. “You’d cut off your right arm for the Democrats.” My aunt recalled that my grandmother said this to him many times.
As struggling Italian immigrants in the Democratic-machine stronghold of Albany, NY, you were wise to be affiliated with the Democrats. When the ward-healer came around, you told him what you needed: coal, a job, a doctor, etc. And they took care of you – if you took care of them.
It’s also important to recall what those times were like for my grandparents, during the Great Depression when the specter of fascism, totalitarianism and right-wing power was on the rise in multiple places at once, including in the United States! (See Rachel Maddow’s podcast, Ultra, the true story of American extremism and sedition in World War II).
Many people will say, with great certainty, “I hate politics.” And with good reason, considering the news about the seemingly endless line of politicians bickering, stealing, lying. They’re all self-serving hypocrites, one would conclude, who care little about us.
But this awful, disgusting and frankly dangerous, side of politics hides a deeper reality: politics are infused into everything we do – from the workplace to the family to your social circle. And if one does not engage in politics, then you abandon the field, surrendering to the whims of the world.
By choosing to opt out of politics, you virtually lose the power of choice. You relinquish all agency, all ability to influence, protect, achieve, succeed or influence.
Withdrawing from politics makes someone a victim, subject to who-knows-what will soon be coming down the pike, whether it is in a relationship or on the world stage.
Politics is the art of the possible.
Politics is the art of compromise.
Politics makes strange bedfellows.
But my favorite quote about politics is by columnist Jimmy Breslin, who wrote:
All political power is primarily an illusion…
Mirrors and blue smoke, beautiful blue smoke
rolling over the surface of highly polished mirrors...
Which brings us to the interconnection between the political and the spiritual.
The Introduction of Chapter 21 of A Course in Miracles tells us that projection makes perception.
Projection makes perception. The world you see is what you gave it, nothing more than that. But though it is no more than that, it is not less. Therefore, to you it is important. It is the witness to your state of mind, the outside picture of an inward condition.
As a man thinketh, so does he perceive. Therefore, seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world.
Perception is a result and not a cause. And that is why order of difficulty in miracles is meaningless. Everything looked upon with vision is healed and holy. Nothing perceived without it means anything. And where there is no meaning, there is chaos. (Emphasis added).
The world we see is the direct result of what we think, what we believe. What we look for we will find.
We have this God-given power on an individual level – but even more powerfully on a collective level.
Wherever two or more are gathered….
From Matthew 18:19-20:
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or more gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
When two of us share an idea, then that idea is strengthened in both. It increases in power. That belief makes our perception a ‘reality.’
When it comes to politics, we cannot abdicate our responsibility, either on the material/earthy plane, nor on the metaphysical/spiritual plane.
Don’t like the world you see – in your home, in your job in your family, in your life? Your job is not to set it right, but to see it right!
“Dear God, I am willing to see things differently,” is a great prayer because it reminds us that we should only pray to change our minds!
It’s the old cliché: You can carpet the whole world to protect your feet, or you can put on a pair of shoes.
Our perception of the world requires we see beyond the illusion, the smoke and mirrors. Breslin’s quote is starkly accurate: the perception of power is all that matters. If people think you are powerful, then you are. You have power on that level of worldly, earth-based ‘reality.’
But if we open our eyes, we can shift our gaze and the whole scene will shift to meet our new beliefs, our new vision.
Truly the Emperor has no clothes, except the ones we think we see with our eyes.
So, in today’s political climate, with war, famine, disease and death looming large (or for too many people, already upon them), the question we must ask is not,
Why does God allow this?
but
Why do we allow this?
Many highly spiritual figures throughout history have engaged in politics on a level that affected profound change for the good for the lives and circumstances of millions, often in the face of “insurmountable” odds and facing great danger to their own physical safety.
An authentic spiritual life requires political awareness and activism. It is the only way to make the shift – first internally and then watch as the world transforms before your eyes.
It’s always darkest before the dawn, because we may be looking in the wrong direction. Instead, change your perspective, and it will brighten the horizon, and soon enough, dawn will break.
Blessings,
Johnny
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