Politics in the New Age
The word “politics” is derived from the Greek word “politikos” which means the practice and theory of dealing with and influencing people. In most people’s minds, the word politics is connected only with governments and governing bureaucracies.
Most people believe it is about manipulation, trickery and lying. Actually, personal politics is about how an individual communicates and connects emotionally and intellectually with another or others. A person’s honesty, mood, eloquence and deportment are all integral components of a successful life.
These are usually developed by what the Greek philosopher, Plato, referred to as educating the complete, whole person, intellectually, morally, aesthetically and spiritually. Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to be involved in a New Age holistic re-treat at Sirius, www.SiriusCommunity.org in Amherst, Massachusetts, called, “The Personal Side of the Political and the Political Side of the Personal”. Since then, I have evolved a seamless life-style in which there is no separation at any level between my personality and my politics.
The early Greeks, who invented democracy, maintained that true democracy is not possible without a high quality education system that nurtures and informs the whole person. In our modern day society, this includes a public broadcasting system, such as the CBC, the BBC and PBS. The very first thing that a tyrannical, oligarchical or monarchistic politician does when they get into office is attempt to marginalize or dismantle the education system and the public broadcasting system. Some examples are: Nazi Germany, the U.S. under the Bushes, and Canada’s current regime. Such “leaders” use propaganda and highly manipulative advertising to “dumb down” members of the general public to the point where they either do not vote, or if they do vote, they do not have enough knowledge to make an informed decision. This is not government by, of, and for the people. It is mind-control by an elite. This is the opposite of a well educated population in a democratic country. If the founders of Greek democracy were here now they would be dis-heartened! Folks who are steeped in New Age values are often superb at expressing themselves, spiritually, environmentally and in inter-personal relationships. Many of them believe that politics is a waste of time and energy. I understand their dilemma. They fear being getting sucked into the Power vortex. I would share with them the idea that, to remain firmly rooted in the New Age Wisdom matrix, it is imperative to understand the Power vortex and refrain from energizing it. The Power vortex thrives on “negativity”. There is no such thing as negative!! There is just what is happening in the moment. If you project negativity, that is exactly what you will get. You will be sucked into reactivity and the Power vortex.
In the nine years that the current government has been in power, the Prime Minister of Canada, has never really exhibited a genuine smile, NOT EVEN ONCE??!! Why is this? When I was doing the research for this paper, I came across an article by Lawrence Martin published in the Globe and Mail on July 8, 2009, “A family tragedy that Stephen Harper has not forgotten”. According to the article, Harris Harper, the grandfather of the Prime Minister and the principal of a high school in Moncton, New Brunswick, committed suicide in 1950. The article mentions that, in 2009, the Prime Minister gave a eulogy for Saskatchewan M.P., Dave Batters, who also committed suicide. In his eulogy, the Prime Minister reflects on the question of whether people who reveal too much of themselves are vulnerable to depression. As most New Age folks know, quite the opposite is true. The more we open ourselves to others, the more joy we experience in our daily lives, our relationships and our interactions with the world, and the more likely we are to live a full human life.
This article was written in May of 2015 by:
Richard M. Haney, M.Ed., Ph.D. (Counselling and Mediation)
Richard has been practicing Wholistic Counselling, Coaching, Hypnotherapy and Mediation for the past 25 years in Ottawa.
Richard by phone: (613) 234-5678. By e-mail: richard@ottawacounselling.com