Do we need "a" reality? Carl Roger's prophesy of contemporary Canada!

Carl Rogers essay near the conclusion wrote "we are wiser than our intellects, that our organisms as a whole have a wisdom and purposiveness which goes well beyond our conscious thought. ...men and women, individually and collectively, are inwardly and orgasmically rejecting the view of one single, culture - approved reality. I believe they are moving inevitably toward the acceptance of millions of separate, challenging, exciting, informative, individual perceptions of reality. I regard it as possible that this view like the sudden and separate discovery of the principles of quantum mechanics by scientists in different countries _ may begin to come into effective existence in many parts of the world at once. If so, we will be living in a totally new universe, different from any in history. Is it conceivable that such a change can come about?" Roger's concludes his essay

"..that if nations follow their past ways, then, because of the speed of world communication of separate views, each society will have to exert more and more coercion to bring about a forced agreement as to what constitutes the real world and its values. Those coerced agreements will differ from nation to nation, from culture to culture. The coercion will destroy individual freedom. We will bring about our own destruction through the clashes caused by differing world views."

mms://64.41.121.56/saybrook.edu/NeedReality1.wma

He goes on to offer hope: "But I have suggested an alternative. If we accept as a basic fact of all human life that we live in separate realities; if we can see those differing realities as the most promising resource for learning in all the history of the world; if we can live together in order to learn from one another without fear; if we can do all this, then a new age could be dawning. And perhaps -- humankind's deep organic sensings are paving the way for just such a change."

mms://64.41.121.56/saybrook.edu/NeedRealty2QA.wma

I had an experience in listening to this - that it mirrored the disciples at the feet of Christ listening to the master. My response to first reading the quote and then listening to Roger's deliver the essay at a conference - I was struck by the polarization that he concludes would occur. The message mirrors what has happened in Canada's election. On the one hand a message of values that the world has abandoned - and how the described "zealots" want to make life where everyone is in agreement to the leaders demands versus those who appreciate the amazing diversity and wonder of everyone's powerful unique perception of reality and being able to honor and listen to each other.

Now as I hear the words that the state will have to apply more coercion to have people comply and give up individual rights in order to implement thier agenda I can understand the needs for prisons. When we hear and cheer for the death of Osama Bin Laden - we are allowing a precedent to be set that it is okay to seek out and kill another human being because their ideas may be contrary to our own. The years ahead with a "strong and stable majority government" should be looked at with sceptism and foreboding as to what lengths the "authority chooses to unleash on the masses" of oppressed people - blind to their oppression.

To be subversive is a calling Jesus had .... will you join him on the journey?

The Revolt of the Elites and the Moral Deficit

The May day parades are over for another year. Did you hear about the throngs of people who took part? In the years to come - their significance may once again emerge. The pendulum swings slowly over the ages.

The future became much clearer for Canada last night. The great divide between the rich and the poor - those with the right "stuff" will be able to victimize the poor - broken as simply stating it is only the result of their choices. Clarity will be shown by compassion and how we treat the strangers - beaten up and left by the side of the road on the path of progress of the free - market economy.

Perhaps the new jails and prisons will become the poorhouses where many will be forced to go when they have no other choice. What will be the color of the uniforms of the selected enforcement agencies?
Will they also be trained at Fort Benning? Or will the School of America - come to Fort McLeod in Canada?

http://soaw.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100

The need to have more dialogue and discussion to recognize the way forward is the tension and the tragic gap that we live in today.

The Revolt of the Elites and the Moral Deficit

If you have a sense of unease - perhaps George Monbiot will be able to help clarify the dilemma of the human condition.

http://www.monbiot.com/2011/05/02/the-lost-world/

May we all gain the vision of our time - as to which path through the wilderness we may take.