World peace is on a knife edge. The Secretary General of NATO has described the current state of affairs as “the most dangerous point in a generation“. That’s alarming, but it certainly isn’t hopeless.
World leaders need a hand, and it’s down to you and me, kid
When things are this volatile, we look to the world’s national leaders for solutions. Like children, we turn to mum and dad to sort out the mess we have made. But the leaders are human beings, too. They have weaknesses as well as strengths, as do we. Their positions of power and authority come not from some divine right but from the people who place them there, whether by election or by default. From that point alone, we all bear some responsibility for world peace. Looking more deeply, there is the question of collective consciousness, and that’s where we really can do something effective.
Consciousness is the key to world peace
In spite of all the time and energy national leaders put into their work, we’re still in trouble. Why? Because humanity’s consciousness as a whole is immature. We’re still in kindergarten. Living with the attitude “what’s in it for me and my friends?” will no longer hack it. Looking after number one does not create stability. A touch of selflessness and kindness, on the other hand, can cure a great deal.
A more altruistic society is essential
Governments know this but struggle because they reflect the consciousness of the country they represent. Altruism may be an ideal but it is impossible for a nation even to move in that direction if its millions of citizens have no taste for it. But we can choose to be kinder and more compassionate. We can choose to live ethically. Many do so already but it is an attitude that needs to become mainstream rather than a niche fashion. Then a more altruistic society becomes possible and world peace more than a pipe dream.
The importance of loving kindness in society is examined more deeply in the book Awakening Heart: The Blissful Path to Self Realisation
Leave a Reply