UNSUCCESSFUL REVOLUTION
As I see it, all revolutionaries aim to overthrow what they see as oppression and abuse, and install a regime they believe is more humane, more caring - a regime that promises respect, and fairness.
Ultimately - whatever the surface ´ism´ of a particular revolution - whether Russian (1917), Chinese (1911), French (1789 - 1799), American (1775 - 1783), Cuban (1953 - 1959), or Iranian (1979) - in their hearts, all revolutionaries believe they are on the side of goodness. What does that mean? In the last analysis, I´d say that what it comes down to is that they believe they are on the side of Universal Love.
On this basis we can say that no revolution in human history has ever been successful - in as much as no revolution has ever successfully established the Reign of Universal Love on Earth. Why not – in my opinion? Because until now, no set of revolutionaries has ever been adequately trained in sustaining their capacity for Universal Love. As yet, no set of revolutionaries has adequately prepared their consciousness for such an epic endeavour.
Until now, no set of revolutionaries has even contemplated the possibility that the long-term success of the new regime they seek to install will depend entirely on the degree to which they themselves, and people in general - having educated themselves not only psycho-emotionally, but spiritually or existentially - have become able to consistently choose Universal Love.
IDEALISTIC TWADDLE
To those among us who have little or no experience of the transformation of their own psyche and awareness, these words might sound (at best) like idealistic, utopian ramblings, or (at worst) like absurd spiritual-lunacy. Even those of us who have experienced personal transformation, or healing, or awakening of some sort might wonder whether political revolutions and the evolution of consciousness are in any way compatible.
My friends - my brothers and sisters and non-binary siblings and everyone else, however you might like to think of yourself – in my opinion, even though it might take generations: it is only a question of education. However: I doubt very much that it´s an education the fundamentalistically-materialistic, machine-hearted, violently-efficient mainstream world culture will offer us. Why would it nurture its own overthrow?!
I believe that nurturing the consciousness that enables us to choose Universal Love is our primary revolutionary act. Cultivating the capacity to recognise the moment-to-moment existential choice between defending and promoting our own little ego show, or acting on behalf of the whole - and cultivating the capacity to act on that choice - needs to become our daily, self-educational, self-transformational, revolutionary commitment.
And for me, this is not a private matter. Sociologists talk about "the privatisation of spirituality" - the removal of overtly spiritual/existential concerns from the market place and from the political arena. "Meditate in private, if you like" is the message, "but keep it to yourself. And please don´t bring it to the office!"
No! How can we cultivate consciousness and Universal Love alone? We need each other. We need communities. And I say ´communities´ and not ´support groups´, because support groups can be easily, neatly bolted onto the A.I-infatuated, techno-intoxicated, production-and-progress-obsessed, centralisation and CCTV and control-obsessed, global mainstream. "Sure, do a little healing on the side! Why not?! What harm can it do?! Just don´t be late for work tomorrow morning!" Personally, I refuse to be segregated like that! I believe there are circumstances that favour the evolution of consciousness, and circumstances that thwart it....
Local community. Deep relationships. Responsibility for our locality. Contact with nature - with the trees, the animals, the insects and birds... with the weather, with the waxing and waning moons, with the equinoxes and solstices. Time out, down time, holy-days. Celebration, appreciation, gratitude. Local, poison-free food. Poison-free water. Creativity and contribution (as against wage slavery). I believe all of these things favour the evolution and transformation of consciousness - and that asphalt, street lights, traffic noise, plastic food, work-work-work, and junk, escapist entertainment don´t.
So here I see a second revolutionary commitment: to adjust our lifestyles in ways that support and enhance our primary revolutionary commitment (the development of our capacity to choose Universal Love).
This article is from Chapter 6, "The First Successful Revolution"
of the very expanded, third edition of "Love & Revolution",
due out this October.
For now you can download the first seven chapters for free here:
Then in October you´ll be able to download the whole book for free,
or buy it as a paperback (at cost of print and post).
We´re also working on a Audiobook of “Love & Revolution”
which will be available for free, as soon as possible.
Stay in touch by signing up for the blog here:
www.tribusconscientes.com/blog Mark Josephs,
"Mark the Mystic Activist"
Aragon, Spain
Autumn/Fall, 2024
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