You wrote, "True and lasting peace requires something deeper: an inner evolution of human consciousness itself. Only when the human being changes from within, and the center of gravity shifts from the isolated self toward a wider sense of shared existence, can the roots of conflict truly begin to dissolve."
I couldn't agree more. And the stresses of these times are catapulting humanity closer and closer to that change point. By bringing the human frailties [greed: billionaires and corruption - lust: Jeffrey Epstein and his elite class - dehumanization of the "other": anti-immigrant policies, white nationalism, etc.etc.] that are at the roots of war and violence of every kind, to the fore, it is becoming clearer and clearer to the general public how we as a human species need to clean ourselves up inwardly, if we're ever going to realize our dreams and deepest values in our outer world.
“ One might argue that the recent resurgence of nationalistic and isolationist tendencies appears to contradict this vision. Yet I would suggest, rather, that it is precisely because a deeper psychological sense of oneness is slowly awakening within the human collective that these forces of division, separation, and self-assertive “me-first” impulses are rising in resistance”
We see this all over the world and if we’re willing to look sincerely, we see this in ourselves every time we have an opening to something deeper or higher. My sense is the more people are willing to see all these things in themselves and not look for blame (Epstein, Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, etc) the quicker the new consciousness will emerge. This is often difficult to understand as it sounds as though I’m absolving the actors of responsibility.
No. But if I look in myself for ways i override the needs of other for the same of sensual pleasure (not just ‘sexual’ but all sensory pleasures), to avoid pain, to get attention (“fame”) more material possessions (wealth) and to the extent there is a desire for others to do as i wish (power) then I can no longer put the blame “out there.”
Brother Lawrence expressed this so beautifully. A friend asked him how he could believe in Divine grace when he saw people doing such terrible things. He said that when he looked inside himself and saw what arose in him, he considered it the surest proof of Divine grace that humans hadn’t long ago destroyed themselves.
Well said, Marco!
You wrote, "True and lasting peace requires something deeper: an inner evolution of human consciousness itself. Only when the human being changes from within, and the center of gravity shifts from the isolated self toward a wider sense of shared existence, can the roots of conflict truly begin to dissolve."
I couldn't agree more. And the stresses of these times are catapulting humanity closer and closer to that change point. By bringing the human frailties [greed: billionaires and corruption - lust: Jeffrey Epstein and his elite class - dehumanization of the "other": anti-immigrant policies, white nationalism, etc.etc.] that are at the roots of war and violence of every kind, to the fore, it is becoming clearer and clearer to the general public how we as a human species need to clean ourselves up inwardly, if we're ever going to realize our dreams and deepest values in our outer world.
And then there is this:
https://aurocafe.substack.com/p/a-sunset-of-europe
Wonderful essay, thank you so much Marco!
This to me is the key:
“ One might argue that the recent resurgence of nationalistic and isolationist tendencies appears to contradict this vision. Yet I would suggest, rather, that it is precisely because a deeper psychological sense of oneness is slowly awakening within the human collective that these forces of division, separation, and self-assertive “me-first” impulses are rising in resistance”
We see this all over the world and if we’re willing to look sincerely, we see this in ourselves every time we have an opening to something deeper or higher. My sense is the more people are willing to see all these things in themselves and not look for blame (Epstein, Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, etc) the quicker the new consciousness will emerge. This is often difficult to understand as it sounds as though I’m absolving the actors of responsibility.
No. But if I look in myself for ways i override the needs of other for the same of sensual pleasure (not just ‘sexual’ but all sensory pleasures), to avoid pain, to get attention (“fame”) more material possessions (wealth) and to the extent there is a desire for others to do as i wish (power) then I can no longer put the blame “out there.”
Brother Lawrence expressed this so beautifully. A friend asked him how he could believe in Divine grace when he saw people doing such terrible things. He said that when he looked inside himself and saw what arose in him, he considered it the surest proof of Divine grace that humans hadn’t long ago destroyed themselves.
"Footprints in the Sand"
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
That during the low periods of my life,
When I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I asked the Lord,
"You said that once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way;
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
There have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"My precious, precious child,
I love you and would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
When you see only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."
— Mary Stevenson, 1936
In this context:
https://aurocafe.substack.com/api/v1/file/8856c728-084a-4512-ab96-d4330abcdfc4.pdf
(A compilation of statements by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother on War and Peace)
Please find two references which are congruent with your quote from Sri Aurobindo
http://www.dabase.org/12laws.htm
http://www.dabase.org/p4formula.htm
Thank you. Beautiful.