In Search of Higher Ground:
Lessons from the 2000 Elections
by Sharon Janis (2000)
*** Find writings about the 2008 elections and other current topics on the Spiritual Social Commentary Blog at www.spiritualcommentary.com ***
As I have expressed in the book Spirituality For Dummies: “One way to look at this world is as a school for the soul. Your lifetime consists of experiences, tests, and lessons. Each person has societal lessons, race lessons, and lessons that are unique to the individual.”
Well, friends, welcome to our new national test – the presidential election of 2000. What screenwriter could have come up with a more creative set of situations and cast of characters? As reality-based television producers have discovered in recent years, fact is definitely more compelling than fiction, especially when no friend or reviewer is able to spoil the ending before we get there. We’re all watching this movie together. So, one spiritual truth we can apply to this situation is to enjoy the play of creation as it evolves before our eyes, and to participate in learning from it, both on a group level -- as a country and planet – and also on an individual level. A multi-faceted moral dilemma such as this election is not a bad thing, but rather an opportunity to explore and discuss our beliefs and institutions using this amazing and intricate situation. Toward that end, I’ll offer just a few thoughts that have arisen for me while watching these current events unfold. With all the endless round-and-round discussions and re-discussions of the same facts and numbers over and over again, why not make some good use of this situation in a way that will better our world and our own personal and spiritual evolution?
Sweet Land of Liberty
Don’t forget the big picture
For all the troubles, trials, and tribulations this nation has been through in recent years – from partisan attacks to lustful officials to the fate of a very cute child from Cuba being confiscated by armed militia – this is nevertheless a phenomenal country. Although not without exception, this land has borne the fruit of our forefather’s hard work and lofty dreams – the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Freedom rings out in every corner of this country – the freedom to speak and practice our beliefs without unreasonable harassment, the freedom to love, give, and live with an independence that has been equaled by few places in the history of this world. Thank God for that!
Now, of course, not all is utopian here. Mistakes are made, opinions conflict, and rules are questioned. All three have happened in this election. Therefore, instead of looking at this situation as a constitutional crisis that must be shoveled under the rug so a decision can be announced as soon as possible – why not take this time to check the system? Look to see how voting is taking place in this country. Invite complaints from those who feel their votes were intentionally or unintentionally thwarted. Learn from these mistakes, and grow from them. If need be, change the system completely, or at least make sure the current process is being followed properly as it is. We have all had a chance to learn more about how the democracy that we enjoy is set up, opening up the topic for more educated and specific discussion. Getting people more interested, educated, and involved can be very good for a country!
Seeing Beyond Black and White:
The world is as you see it
Over and over again we have had evidence of one fact about human thought – it is very opinionated! Those who believe in one person or one side of an issue tend to hold on to that conviction regardless of the evidence to the contrary. Very intelligent people can give equally good arguments for totally opposite opinions, yet without opening up to seeing the other’s point of view. This has been the cause of wars throughout human history, and it comes from a tendency of the mind to want to justify it’s current belief system – what you might call the Archie Bunker syndrome.
In each media-laden crises of recent years, you can find many examples of this. The folks who thought OJ was guilty knew it, and were not swayed even a bit when one of the main police officers blatantly lied about his prejudiced views and behavior right there on the witness stand. Those who thought OJ was innocent were not swayed even by highly incriminating evidence to the contrary. Those who supported President Clinton during his “attack from the right wing” continued to support him even when he wagged his finger into the camera and lied to the whole country. Those who were against Clinton did not acknowledge that 50 million dollars and endless hours of television programming, newspaper and magazine articles, and the attention of the country were basically about whether or not this poor fellow had some extra-marital liaison and chose to conceal the fact.
We need to learn how to put ourselves in others’ shoes, to see a situation from different sides at the same time. We need to learn to live with the discomfort that comes from acknowledging that everything in this world has many different levels and faces, and cannot just be put into clear boxes and charts. This is one way to use these kinds of worldly events to nurture our own spiritual growth. Because this transition to seeing more deeply into life – with a more balanced view toward greater understanding – is one of the primary goals of the spiritual journey. Letting go of entrenched ideas opens us to receiving greater fields of unified awareness that not only benefits the world, but our own soul’s journey.
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