In my mailbox

The Sun Magazine, Noetic Science Review and the Calkins Baptist Beacon arrived in the mail this week.

The Sun carried an interview with Jacob Needleman. In his recently published book, “The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders,” Needleman explores the concept that America was fashioned by the framers of the Declaration of Independent as a place where deep reflection and assessment of one’s values, motives and potential could flourish.

He explains that current American culture, which we are exporting far beyond our borders, does not support “a way of life that allows for the entry of higher forces into the world. Human beings are meant to do more than simply live out their physical lives on this earth. Humanity is meant to be a conductor of great forces, passing from above, through humankind, and back.”

Needleman says that unless there are communities on this earth for whom thinking actually does replace killing, we may not survive as a species.

“An important part of spiritual development is to understand the relationship of opposing forces. We need to develop a relatively calm and impartial appreciation of what is resisting us, and why.”

The Noetic Science Review interviewed Duane Elgin, author of “Voluntary Simplicity” and “Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future,” who paints a chilling picture of the cultural and ecological dangers we face, yet offers an optimistic view of the possibility for humankind’s survival and evolution into a more mature species. He encourages us “to not just cut back on consumption and ease our busy schedules, but to live a life with purpose, in which every action is the result of a conscious choice.”

He says that we have an opportunity to create a harmonious world culture.

“For the first time in human history,” he writes, “thanks to various information technologies, all the world’s great religions are available for our inspection and practice. We are discovering the deep, common truths at the core of all spiritual traditions; the golden rule, the power of compassion, the importance of looking beyond materialism. One essential truth is to use this world as a place of learning, not as a place for distraction.... We have an opportunity to bring the different aspects of East and West together. If we honor both realms, the result is a paradigm of learning.”

The Calkins Baptist Beacon, sent to all postal patrons in Narrowsburg, and Berlin and Damascus Townships, as a counterpoint, drives a wedge between Christian and Islamic traditions in its articles about whether Christians and Islamics really worship the same God. Calling Islam “an evil doctrine which spawns violence and hatred in the lives of those who honestly believe them,” the articles do not support Elgin’s principle that there are common truths at the core of all spiritual traditions. On its best face, it has Bible-believing people trying to convince Koran-believing people that their religion is wrong.

The Beacon serves as a wake-up call that we actively work to rediscover the deeper hope of America and its vision of what humanity is and can become. Its unbidden arrival in our mailbox serves to show us how important is it that we are vigilant in promoting peace and knowledge. In its ignorance, it moves us to learn about challenges that face us in this modern day world.

My mailbox revealed this week that our differences will foster either ignorance and fear, or the capacity for reflective consciousness.

Together let's make a conscious reflective choice.

Laurie Stuart, Editor