The inauguration
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:37 pm
As this day marks the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one, it is my hope that the future will be brighter not only for the United States of America, but for the world as a whole. I watched the ceremony this morning and have to admit to being moved by the outpouring of sheer elation of about a million people on location, and perhaps millions more elsewhere.
On recent radio talk shows I have heard much criticism of this occasion, in particular the amount of money being spent. The critics were not mindful that those who attended did so at their own expense, that there was relatively minimal use of public tax-paid funds. The critics in my view cannot accept a fundamental trait, as I see it, of the human condition. Life in general is 95+% hard work, and 5-% reward, and it is the latter that drives the former. Further to this, in this small minority of time utilization, there remains the fundamental need for celebration. On a familial scale these are largely addressed by public holidays and annual vacations; on a grander scale, for which the latter is a reflection of the former (and vice versa, all of life is allusional), one more rarely has events such as this one, conducted quadrennially or octennially. Here the family unit is expanded, as it should be.
The new President made an astute point during the luncheon: the event is not about him, but about an evolution in a family for which he stands. The beginning of his speech reflected his humility, as it should have, for I believe he understands the underlying dynamics.
Let me say this about politics in general. As a rule, I have tremendous distaste for it. Not because I lack faith in human nature - I consciously endeavour to practice metaphysical principles in every aspect of my life, to try to "see" the bigger picture in everything, and I believe that humanity is a reflection of something that is both of it and surpasses it, and therefore must be fundamentally good. On the other hand, I perceive that people become involved in politics out of unrealistic expectations, due to no fault of their own. People look to politicians to provide something missing in their lives, and these things they seek, the true government, the true leadership, can only come from within themselves. On the night of the election, I got the strong impression Mr. Obama was becoming a political Messiah figurehead of sorts - and true messianism is very different from what is commonly believed. It cannot be ascribed to a specific person, time or place. I do hope that peoples' expectations will not become unrealistically high.
There is no question that the new President is very intelligent and his oratory seems to have the ideal combination of speaking from the heart and mind. Whether one is a partisan, bi-partisan, or (in my case) neither, one has to respect what he is trying to do. I hope that his work and influence will help others become more fully integrated and productive within themselves and their communities, a trickle-down effect. Ultimately I feel that neither he nor anyone else can be the ultimate solution to anyone's problems, they must be resolved at the individual level. He can however be a catalyst, that agent which he represents in the consciousness of each person, for change and growth.
I do feel that in the world's present spiritual condition, governments and institutions in general will be necessary. It appears this new administration has an opportunity to help others help themselves. The ultimate Declaration of Independence still remains, in my view, a personal event.
Ray
On recent radio talk shows I have heard much criticism of this occasion, in particular the amount of money being spent. The critics were not mindful that those who attended did so at their own expense, that there was relatively minimal use of public tax-paid funds. The critics in my view cannot accept a fundamental trait, as I see it, of the human condition. Life in general is 95+% hard work, and 5-% reward, and it is the latter that drives the former. Further to this, in this small minority of time utilization, there remains the fundamental need for celebration. On a familial scale these are largely addressed by public holidays and annual vacations; on a grander scale, for which the latter is a reflection of the former (and vice versa, all of life is allusional), one more rarely has events such as this one, conducted quadrennially or octennially. Here the family unit is expanded, as it should be.
The new President made an astute point during the luncheon: the event is not about him, but about an evolution in a family for which he stands. The beginning of his speech reflected his humility, as it should have, for I believe he understands the underlying dynamics.
Let me say this about politics in general. As a rule, I have tremendous distaste for it. Not because I lack faith in human nature - I consciously endeavour to practice metaphysical principles in every aspect of my life, to try to "see" the bigger picture in everything, and I believe that humanity is a reflection of something that is both of it and surpasses it, and therefore must be fundamentally good. On the other hand, I perceive that people become involved in politics out of unrealistic expectations, due to no fault of their own. People look to politicians to provide something missing in their lives, and these things they seek, the true government, the true leadership, can only come from within themselves. On the night of the election, I got the strong impression Mr. Obama was becoming a political Messiah figurehead of sorts - and true messianism is very different from what is commonly believed. It cannot be ascribed to a specific person, time or place. I do hope that peoples' expectations will not become unrealistically high.
There is no question that the new President is very intelligent and his oratory seems to have the ideal combination of speaking from the heart and mind. Whether one is a partisan, bi-partisan, or (in my case) neither, one has to respect what he is trying to do. I hope that his work and influence will help others become more fully integrated and productive within themselves and their communities, a trickle-down effect. Ultimately I feel that neither he nor anyone else can be the ultimate solution to anyone's problems, they must be resolved at the individual level. He can however be a catalyst, that agent which he represents in the consciousness of each person, for change and growth.
I do feel that in the world's present spiritual condition, governments and institutions in general will be necessary. It appears this new administration has an opportunity to help others help themselves. The ultimate Declaration of Independence still remains, in my view, a personal event.
Ray
