Today, January 15, 2024, the United States celebrates a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 95th birthday. This day holds great significance for American democracy and also serves as the formal beginning of the 2024 US presidential election year, with the first GOP Republican Caucus taking place in Iowa. The outcome of this election year will play a vital role in determining the future of the American experiment in self-government. The country has not faced a constitutional crisis of this magnitude since the Civil War.
As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is important to reflect on the values he stood for and fought for throughout his lifetime. A key aspect of his vision was the idea of a government that truly represented and served its people – a government of, by, and for the people.
In 2024, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in American history. The upcoming presidential election will determine whether we continue down the path towards true democracy, or if we risk losing our hard-won rights and freedoms to a monarchy-like rule.
At stake is not just the future leadership of our country, but also the very essence of our democracy. We must ask ourselves: are we willing to let one authoritarian leader — unfit to govern in a democracy —have unchecked power, or do we believe in the power of the people to collectively make decisions for the greater good?
So, let’s make use of the Great Invocation “with massed intent” as we commemorate this Holy Day dedicated to the memory of a racial avatar, the last MLK commemoration before the momentous year of 2025.
New Morning for the World “Daybreak of Freedom”
“There comes a time when people get tired – tired of being segregated and humiliated, tired of being kicked about by the brutal feet of oppression.”1
“We are going to walk non-violently and peacefully to let the nation and the world know that we are tired now. We’ve lived with slavery and segregation three hundred and forty-five years. We waited a long time for freedom.”2
“Before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence, we were here. For more than two centuries, our fore parents labored in this country without wages – and built the homes of their masters in the midst of brutal injustice and shameful humiliation. And yet out of a bottomless vitality, they continued to thrive and develop. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.”3
“Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality to all of God’s children. We cannot walk alone. As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”4
“We’re on the move now – neither the burning of our churches nor the beating and killing of our clergymen will stop us. We’re on the move now – my people listen! The battle is in our hands – I know some of you are asking, “How long will it take?” I come to say to you however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long because truth pressed to the earth will rise again. How long? Not long because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long because you will reap what you sow. How long? Not long because the arm of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”5
“When the history books are written in future generations, the historians will have pause and say, “There lived a great people – a black people – who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization.” This is our challenge and our responsibility.” “6
“I have a dream.”7
“The dream is one of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men do not argue that the color of a man’s skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a place where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of all human personality, and men will dare to live together as brothers. Whenever it is fulfilled, we will emerge from the bleak and desolate midnight of man’s inhumanity to man into the bright and glowing daybreak of freedom and justice for all of God’s children.”8
From STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM by Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright 1958 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From BEHIND THE SELMA MARCH by Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright 1965 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL by Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright 1963, 1964 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From I HAVE A DREAM by Martin Luther King, Jr. @ Copyright 1963 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From BEHIND THE SELMA MARCH by Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright 1965 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From STRIDE TOWARD FREEDOM by Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright 1958 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
From I HAVE A DREAM by Martin Luther King, Jr. Copyright 1963 by Martin Luther King, Jr.
@ Copyright 1958, 1963 by Martin Luther King, Jr. All the above used by permission of JOAN DAVES
Let the Lords of Liberation issue forth. Let them bring succour to the sons of men. Let the Rider from the Secret Place come forth, And coming, save. Come forth, O Mighty One.
Let the souls of men awaken to the light. And may they stand with massed intent. Let the fiat of the Lord go forth: The end of woe has come!
Come forth, O Mighty One. The hour of service of the saving force has now arrived. Let it be spread abroad, O Mighty One.
Let Light and Love and Power and Death Fulfill the purpose of the Coming One.
The WILL to save is here. The LOVE to carry forth the work is widely spread abroad. The ACTIVE AID of all who know the truth is also here.
Come forth, O Mighty One, and blend these three. Construct a great defending wall. The rule of evil NOW must end.
Beethoven Symphony No 3 in E♭ „Eroica“ Leonard Bernstein Wiener Philharmoniker
About 1,200 people were killed during the Hamas-led Oct. 7 assault against Israel, a majority of them civilians, according to the Israeli authorities. Israel’s retaliatory war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians, a majority of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials.
Warning of a long conflict, the Israeli statements exposed a growing dissonance between the domestic perception of the timing and goals of the war and increasing international impatience in the face of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On the 100th day of a disproportionate vengeful retribution against Palestinian civilians, with inhuman acts of criminal collective punishment conducted with impunity by the Israeli military, the world observes with dismay the complicity with which the United States continues to support crimes of war with taxpayers’ funded offensive weaponry killing Palestinian civilians. This is well beyond the more justifiable support for the defensive Iron Dome.
Of course, using civilians as human shields and taking civilian hostages are also war crimes to be universally condemned without any justification whatsoever, even in an asymmetric warfare. However, the disproportionate death toll of civilians is only comparable to the imbalance of power to negotiate a just and lasting peace between the warring parties. The genocidal rhetoric of Netanyahu and his extreme right coalition adds fuel to the raging fire.
This imbalance of power is the main reason why all previous peace accords between Israel and Palestine have not stood the test of time. This is made clear by Fareed Zakaria’s historical overview in his GPS Special: The Road to War in the Middle East aired on December 24, 2023.
In the last segment, despite Fareed’s biased question,
Do you think that fundamentally the problem is that the Palestinians, at some point, have not been educated by their leadership to recognize that, look, they’ve lost this long struggle, that they’re not going to get the whole loaf, they’re going to get 22 percent of that loaf? And you have to kind of admit that. And the unwillingness to admit that is — and, you know, the worry that if you admit that you will be assassinated or you’ll get outflanked by Hamas, that that’s been at the core of it, that there isn’t somebody who’s willing to speak honestly to the Palestinians and say, look, this is all we can get?
Fareed Zakaria
the former U.S. Ambassador Edward Djerejian aptly deflects such offensive and patronizing tone, replying instead with wise advice about the course of American diplomacy in this conflict.
At the end of the day there’s 7.2 million Palestinians and 7.2 approximately Israeli Jews in between the Jordan River and the Eastern Mediterranean. Neither one is going to go anywhere. They’re there. They have to divide the land.
Economic peace simply doesn’t work. But that was the trope, and that trope started in the Trump administration and the Biden administration obviously continued that with the normalization. I have nothing against normalization of Arab countries with Israel, but it was done at the cost of neglecting this central issue, the territorial aspects of peace between Israel and Palestine.
First, American diplomacy needs a deep understanding and appreciation of the basic facts on the ground in the Middle East and where the parties are coming from.
Second, we have to have a spine in our diplomacy. We have to be tough on both sides, or else nothing will happen. You know, we started off in 67 Israeli settlements. In U.S. government proclamations, Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, the Geneva Conventions of ’49.
You’ve seen over the years how the verbiage is that, oh, they’re an obstacle to peace, or they’re a problem. No, they’re illegal. The United States [must stand] tall on principle, and we have to do that with both sides: tough on the Arabs; tough on the Israelis. You have to be skillful in your diplomacy also.
The glimmer of hope is that I really do feel that October 7th is so consequential, akin to Yom Kippur in ’73. That the political landscape has changed. I hope one of the major lessons that everyone learns is that you cannot shunt the Palestinian issue aside and make it a secondary or tertiary issue, that you can make economic peace or peace for peace. We have to focus on land for peace.
And let’s make the hard decision to go for it. There’s a lot of diplomatic history in the archives on settlements, on territorial compromises, on Jerusalem, on refugees. There’s a body of negotiations that can be built on. Let’s get the leadership to get it done.
Former U.S. Ambassador Edward Djerejian has been working on diplomacy in the Middle East for more than 50 years. He’s been U.S. Ambassador to Israel, U.S. Ambassador to Syria and the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
May his words and experience light the way for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. On this 100th day of the War on Gaza, it is made clear that the military option is not a viable alternative for a peace accord among equals. -JB
A Fareed Zakaria GPS Special: The Road to War in the Middle East
Why has the Israeli–Palestinian conflict been so intractable for so long? Fareed talks with Palestinian scholar Ahmad Khalidi, Israeli historian Benny Morris, former US diplomat Edward Djerejian and more about the attempts, missed chances, and future prospects of establishing a lasting peace in the region.
Realpolitik is a system of politics or principles based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations. The term, which originates from Germany (meaning “the politics of reality”), is often associated with power politics. The approach is characterized by pragmatic and practical considerations, such as the survival of the nation, national security interests, and the balance of power, rather than by ideological or ethical premises.
In Realpolitik, decisions are made based on the factual realities at hand, rather than an adherence to any specific philosophical or ethical ideal. This could mean forming alliances with otherwise unfriendly nations or compromising on values if it leads to increased power or security. The philosophy behind Realpolitik has been practiced throughout history, though the term itself did not come into common usage until the mid-19th century in Europe.
The term “Realpolitik” itself is still widely used today and continues to refer to a system of politics or principles based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations. However, it’s important to note that while the term may remain the same, its interpretation and application can evolve over time and vary between different regions, political systems, and individuals. For example, the concept of Realpolitik has been associated with various political figures throughout history, from its originator Ludwig von Rochau to more contemporary figures like Henry Kissinger. Their approaches, while all falling under the umbrella of Realpolitik, may have differed based on the specific historical and political contexts in which they were operating.
Phrases like “power politics,” “pragmatic diplomacy,” or “political realism,” convey similar ideas and are often used in discussions of foreign policy and international relations. These terms, while not new, reflect the core principles of Realpolitik.
Confound not evil with the activities of the gangster or the criminal. Criminals and gangsters are the result of the emerging massed imperfections: they are the victims of ignorance, mishandling when children and misunderstanding down the ages of right human relations; the Law of Rebirth will eventually lead them on the way to good.
Those men are truly evil who seek to enforce a return to the bad old ways, who endeavor to keep their fellowmen in slavery of some kind or another, who block the expression of one or all of the Four Freedoms, who gain material riches at the expense of the exploited, or who seek to hold for themselves and for gain the produce of the earth, and thus make the cost of life’s necessities prohibitive to those not richly endowed. Those who thus work, think and plan are to be found in every nation, and are usually of prominence because of their riches and influence; however, they sin against light and not through ignorance; their goals are material and not spiritual. They are relatively few compared to the countless millions of men, but are exceedingly powerful; they are highly intelligent but unscrupulous, and it is through them that the Forces of Evil work, holding back progress, promoting poverty, breeding hatred and class distinctions, fostering racial differences for their own ends, and keeping ignorance in power. Their sin is great and it is hard for them to change, because power and the will-to-power (as it militates against the will-to-good) is a dominant all-controlling factor in their lives; these men are today working against the unity of the United Nations, [Page 669] through their greed, their determination to own the resources of the earth (such as oil, mineral wealth and food) and thus keep the people weak and with inadequate food. These men, who are found in every nation, thoroughly understand each other and are working together in great combines to exploit the riches of the earth at the expense of humanity.
The whole problem of evil is, however, too vast to contemplate here, nor is it advisable or wise to discuss the source of evil (not of imperfection), the Black Lodge. Energy follows thought, and the spoken word can be potently evocative: therefore, until one is a member of the Great White Lodge, it is the part of wisdom to avoid consideration of forces potent enough intelligently to use the latent imperfection in humanity and to impose the vast evil of war, with all its results and far-reaching effects, upon humanity. The Black Lodge is the problem of the White Lodge, and not the problem of humanity. For aeons the Hierarchy has handled this problem, and is now in process of solving it. It is essentially, however, the main consideration and problem of Shamballa, for it is connected with the will aspect, and only the will-to-good will suffice to blot out and annihilate the will-to-evil. Goodwill will not suffice, though the united and invocative appeal of the [Page 670] men of goodwill throughout the world-increasingly voiced through the Great Invocation-will serve “to seal the door where evil dwells.”
The Tibetan Master D.K.
Aligned with the principles of the New Group of World Servers, on the presidential ballot for the 2024 elections in the United States:
If you are a true conservative pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the United States:
vote Democrat, or
abstain from voting.
If you are a registered Democrat: do NOT stay at home. Vote Democrat on the presidential ballot regardless of the candidate and his/her flaws.
If you are an independent voter: vote Democrat.
This is NOT a partisan presidential election. The survival of democracy in the United States is at stake. Men and women of goodwill must support the Four Freedoms, here and now!
1944 pin from the re-election campaign of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
There is a door into an evil realm and into blackness, just as there is a door into a world of goodness and light.
The Tibetan Master D.K.
The progress made by humanity in the past two hundred years has lead to attention from the Council Chamber at Shamballa. The will aspect of divinity has made direct contact with the human mind. Thus, the latent goodwill in humanity has been evoked by the will-to-good from Shamballa. However, the will-to-power has also been evoked in selfish minds.
The origin of evil or the Black Lodge is a vast problem handled by the Hierarchy. Only the will-to-good can counter the will-to-evil, and the united appeal of men of goodwill, expressed through the Great Invocation, serves to seal the door where evil dwells.
It is behind that door and in dealing with the forces there concealed (and mobilized) that the Hierarchy is effective; the methods and modes whereby They protect humanity from mobilized evil, and are gradually driving the evil back, would not be understood by you who have not yet passed through the door which leads to the Way of the Higher Evolution.
The Tibetan Master D.K.
Freewill, Goodwill, Will-to-Good and Will-to-Power
The lines of cleavage have grown steadily until now they can be expressed in terms of a humanity which is oriented towards the higher spiritual and altruistic values and whose keynotes are sacrifice, group good and world understanding, and those whose focus is predominantly material and whose aims are selfish, animated by ambition and the spirit of acquisition.
It was the acuteness of this situation, and the wide extent of the cleavage, which induced the watching Hierarchy to permit a direct inflow of the Shamballa force (in spite of its attendant risks) to pour into the world. The objective was to stimulate the free will of the masses; the result upon them has been relatively good as it has led to the formulation and expression of the great world ideologies—Fascism, [Page 127] Democracy and Communism as well as that peculiarly distorted blend of Fascism and Communism which goes by the name of Hitlerism or Nazism. All these ideologies are fostered by the desire of the masses for the betterment of the condition in which the populace in any country lives and it has become focused, expressive and creative by the force of the Shamballa influence. But another result of this inflow of the will-to-power (power upon the physical plane and through the medium of form activity) has been to stimulate a certain group of outstanding personalities in many lands so that they have assumed control of the masses and can thus determine the policies and methods—religious, political and social—of the different nations. In every nation a relatively small group of people decide all important issues and determine all major national activities. This they do either by force, terror and deception or by persuasion, fair words and the application of ideological motives. Of this situation in the world the Lords of Destiny are availing themselves in order to bring the ancient conflict to an end and so enable humanity to pass into the new Aquarian Age relatively free and with a clearer understanding of right human aims, right relationships and man’s predestined future.
So great has been the progress of man during the past two hundred years that the Council Chamber at Shamballa was forced to take notice. As a result of this attention by the Great Lives around Sanat Kumara and Their interest in the affairs of men, two things happened:
The will aspect of divinity made its first definite and direct contact with the human mind. The impact was direct and not deflected-as had hitherto been the case-to the Hierarchy and from thence to humanity.
At the same time, the will-to-good from Shamballa evoked the latent goodwill in man, so that today and increasingly over the past one hundred years, goodness of heart, kindness in action, consideration for others and mass action to promote human welfare have spread over the Earth.
The Tibetan Master D.K.
Quotes from the Tibetan Master D.K. penned by Alice A. Bailey in the books published by the Lucis Trust.
Ray 1. Will Power. Transmitted through Aries, Leo and Capricorn.
As 2023 comes to an end, I’m struggling to make sense of the current world disorder, focusing on three major threats to our survival: Zionism in the Middle East, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the MAGA movement in the United States. They have one common theme: might makes right. They represent causes out of which other evils, such as (Hamas) terrorism, arise. Which makes me wonder, what is power? How can light, love and power restore God’s Plan on Earth?
In the context of the Capricorn full moon period overlapping Sol Invictusobservance this Christmas season, let’s review current thought forms created by humanity on this subject, and how can they can be repurposed for a future of right human relations, goodwill and peace on Earth.
-JB
Two key theories of international relations
Structural realism, also known as neorealism, and human nature realism, often referred to as classical realism, are two key theories within the field of international relations. They share a common premise that states exist in an anarchic international system and that they act primarily out of self-interest. However, they differ significantly in their explanations for why this is the case.
Structural Realism (Neorealism): Structural realism, as articulated by theorists like Kenneth Waltz, posits that the behavior of states is determined by the anarchic structure of the international system1. In this system, there’s no overarching authority above the state, making security a primary concern. States, according to structural realists, are rational actors that seek to survive by maintaining and increasing their power relative to other states. The focus here is on the system, not on the individual state or its leaders2.
Human Nature Realism (Classical Realism): Human nature realism, on the other hand, asserts that the behavior of states is driven primarily by human nature. Classical realists like Hans Morgenthau argue that it’s the inherent flaws in human nature, such as the lust for power, that lead to conflict and competition among states3. This perspective focuses more on the role of leadership, national character, and moral and ethical considerations in shaping a state’s foreign policy4.
In summary, while structural realism emphasizes the anarchic structure of the international system as the determinant of state behavior, human nature realism places more emphasis on the characteristics and behaviors of individuals and groups within the state.
Offensive and defensive realism are two key sub-theories within the school of structural realism in international relations. Both theories agree on the anarchic nature of the international system, but they differ significantly in their views on state behavior and security.
Offensive Realism: Proposed by John Mearsheimer, offensive realism postulates that states are power-maximizers1. In an anarchic international system with no overarching authority, states must always be concerned about their security. To ensure survival, they strive to achieve hegemony, as the best guarantee against attack is to be the most powerful state in the system. Offensive realists believe that states should constantly look for opportunities to gain power at the expense of others2.
Defensive Realism: Defensive realism, associated with theorists like Kenneth Waltz and Robert Jervis, suggests that states are security-maximizers3. While acknowledging the anarchic nature of the international system, defensive realists argue that an aggressive foreign policy often proves counterproductive, provoking other states to form balancing coalitions. Therefore, states should maintain a moderate level of power and pursue cooperative security arrangements to mitigate potential threats4.
In summary, while offensive realists see aggression as a necessity for states to secure their survival, defensive realists advocate for a more moderate and cooperative approach to ensure security in the international system.
Entropy in physics is a fundamental concept that describes the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. In the context of structural realism in international relations, it can be interpreted as the inherent unpredictability and complexity in the international system due to the absence of a central authority1.
Structural realism asserts that the international system is anarchic, and states are primarily driven by their self-interests for survival and power. This could be seen as a state of high entropy where there’s a high degree of uncertainty and disorder. Structural realists argue that this anarchic structure forces states to act in certain predictable ways, such as balancing against threats, which could be seen as attempts to manage or reduce this entropy2.
On the other hand, Teilhard de Chardin’s concept of the Omega Point presents a contrasting view. The Omega Point theory posits that consciousness and evolution are moving towards a maximum point of complexity and consciousness, known as the Omega Point3. This suggests a progression from high entropy (anarchy) to low entropy (hierarchy), driven by the evolution of consciousness.
In contrast to structural realism which views the international system as inherently conflictual and competitive due to its anarchic nature, the Omega Point theory suggests a more optimistic view of the potential for cooperation and integration as consciousness evolves.
In essence, while entropy and structural realism might highlight the disorder and power struggles in the international system, the Omega Point theory offers a perspective on how evolving consciousness could lead to greater order and unity.
Liberalism is a key theory in international relations that offers an optimistic worldview. It posits that international institutions and interactions can overcome the anarchic nature of the international system, leading to a more cooperative and peaceful world order1.
Democratic Peace Theory: This theory suggests that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other due to shared values, internal constraints, and the transparency of their political systems2. Democratic norms require leaders to resolve disputes through negotiation and compromise, reducing the likelihood of conflict.
Economic Interdependence: According to liberals, economic interdependence reduces the likelihood of war by increasing the costs of conflict and the benefits of peace3. High levels of trade and investment create mutual benefits and dependencies that both sides would not want to jeopardize through military conflict.
Institutionalism: Liberals argue that international institutions, such as the United Nations, play a crucial role in promoting peace and cooperation4. Institutions provide forums for dialogue, help enforce international laws, reduce uncertainty about others’ intentions, and make it more difficult for states to renege on their commitments.
While liberalism recognizes that conflicts and power struggles exist among nations, it emphasizes the potential for cooperation, largely driven by democratic governance, economic ties, and institutional mechanisms.
Systems theory posits that systems, whether they are biological ecosystems, social structures, or organizations, are made up of interconnected parts that form a complex whole. This holistic approach emphasizes the interdependence of all system components and their interactions1.
Natural organic hierarchies, as suggested by systems theory, are intrinsic to the organization of many systems in nature. They are characterized by a structure where elements at each level of the hierarchy interact more strongly with each other than with those at different levels2. This hierarchical organization is seen as an inherent property of nature2.
In ecology, for example, the hierarchical structure can be observed in the organization of ecosystems, from individual organisms (lowest level) to populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere (highest level)3. This hierarchy facilitates understanding and analysis of ecological phenomena.
Similarly, in the context of organizations, there are rational, natural, and open systems. Natural systems focus on the human component in organizations, acknowledging that people and their interactions play a crucial role in shaping an organization’s structure and processes4.
The concept of organic hierarchies also extends to areas like organic farming, where systems thinking is reflected in stewardship towards nature, the ethics of animal husbandry, and recycling principles5.
In essence, systems theory’s concept of natural organic hierarchies highlights the interconnectedness and interdependence of elements within a system, facilitating our understanding of complex natural and social phenomena.
The symbol of anarchy, also known as the Circle-A, is composed of an “A” and an “O”. The “A” stands for “anarchy”, which means “without rulers”. The “O” represents “order”. Together, they convey the phrase “Anarchy is the mother of Order“, which is a part of a quote attributed to Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, a French philosopher and one of the first self-proclaimed anarchists12.
This symbol is said to represent a French anarchist’s maxim “Anarchy is Order“. It implies that society seeks order, but without the imposition of authority or rulers3.
It’s important to note that anarchism doesn’t signify chaos in all its aspects. Rather, it advocates for a society based on voluntary cooperation of individuals4.
While the anarchy symbol has been associated with various movements and ideas over time, it fundamentally remains a representation of a society seeking order through non-hierarchical and voluntary associations5.
There isn’t a universally recognized symbol for hierarchy that contrasts directly with the anarchy symbol. In contrast, hierarchy often manifests in symbols of structures or pyramids, representing rigid levels of authority or power, often imposed.
I propose that Roerich’s Banner of Peace be adopted as a universal symbol of hierarchy. The streams of Light and Love converging into the One (Power) on the Path of Return, restoring the Plan on Earth.
JB
Hierarchy is not coercion, it is the law of the Universe. It is not a threat, but the call of the heart and a fiery admonition directing toward the General Good.
The First Cause may be construed to comprise three fundamentals: Omnipotent Good, Omniscient Beautiful, and Omnipresent Creative Sound of Light.
These three fundamentals manifest in varying degrees in different philosophies and religions. For example, in Hinduism, the Trimurti consists of three deities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, representing creation, preservation, and destruction, respectively. In Christianity, the Holy Trinity comprises the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Three great energies are focused in Shamballa, the seat of fire:
The Energy of Purification: This is the power, innate in the manifested universe, which gradually and steadily adapts the substance aspect to the spiritual. It involves the elimination of all that hinders the nature of divinity from full expression.
The Energy of Destruction: This is a destruction which removes or changes the forms which imprison the inner spiritual life, and hide the inner soul light.
The Energy of Organization: This is the energy which started the impulse which produced manifestation. The relation of spirit and matter cyclically and under law creates the manifested world as a field for soul development and as an area wherein divine purpose is wrought out through the medium of the Plan.
The Shamballa force therefore focusses the will-to-good, leading to right human relationship, and establishing peace on Earth.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a subject of fear and concern, particularly its potential misuse leading to catastrophic events such as the extinction of humanity. However, when we examine the horrors of the current war in Gaza, we must ask ourselves: should we be more afraid of AI or of the inherent cruelty of twisted human minds?
Israel military says 2 civilians killed for every Hamas militant is a ‘tremendously positive’ ratio given combat challenges.
The UNESCO Constitution states, “Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defenses of peace must be constructed” [1]. This profound statement underscores the fact that the root of conflict lies not in technology, but in human attitudes and behaviors.
The ongoing war in Gaza, marked by shocking atrocities, serves as a grim testament to this reality. The initial terrorist attack on October 7, followed by the subsequent disproportionate response by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), has resulted in a devastating cycle of violence and human suffering [2]. Yet, it is not AI that initiated this conflict, but rather, decisions and actions resulting from the misuse of the human will.
History bears witness to numerous genocidal wars where AI was not involved. The Rwandan Genocide of 1994, the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, and more recently, the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar are stark reminders of the scale of atrocities that can be perpetrated solely by human hands [3][4][5].
In this light, the fear of AI — the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to reason and act like humans — might be somewhat misplaced. AI is a tool, as beneficial or destructive as the intentions of those who wield it. The true danger lies in AI’s potential to amplify malevolent intentions. Ultimately, it is the misuse of human will that lies at the core of the issue.
This leads us to an important question: how can human will — individual and national — be aligned with the common good without infringing upon free will, and the right for self-defense? This is a critical test for democracy. Democracies thrive on the principle of individual freedom, yet they also necessitate a collective agreement on what constitutes the responsible use of such freedom by promoting right human relations leading to lasting peace.
From the center where the Will of God is known Let purpose guide the little wills of men – The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the center which we call the race of men Let the Plan of Love and Light work out And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Therefore, while it is prudent to be cautious about the potential misuse of AI, it is even more important to recognize that the root of most atrocities lies in human cruelty, not in technology. Instead of fearing AI, perhaps our efforts would be better directed towards fostering empathy, understanding, and peace within the minds of men and women.
Cruelty can be defined as the deliberate infliction of physical or psychological pain, suffering, or harm upon others. It involves acts that are intentionally malicious, inhumane, or lacking compassion. While there may be varying degrees and manifestations of cruelty, it is generally considered a deeply debasing and morally reprehensible act.
More than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed, with 70% of them women and children, according to the territory’s health officials. The vast majority of its 2.2 million people are displaced, and an estimated half face starvation amid an unfolding humanitarian crisis.
Human cruelty encompasses a wide range of actions, from individual acts of violence to systemic oppression and large-scale atrocities. Examples include physical abuse, torture, discrimination based on race or ethnicity, genocide, war crimes, and other forms of violence or mistreatment inflicted upon fellow human beings.
A supervisor with the Israeli search and recovery team in charge of collecting the bodies showed CBS News some of the injuries he saw and documented, including women whose bodies had lacerations, stabbings and gunshots to their genital area.
The debasing nature of human cruelty stems from its disregard for the inherent dignity and worth of individuals, as well as the violation of fundamental ethical principles such as empathy, compassion, and respect for others. It represents a betrayal of our collective humanity and undermines the potential for harmonious coexistence and progress in society.
While human cruelty is undoubtedly a deeply troubling aspect of our existence, it is important to remember that there are also countless acts of kindness, compassion, and empathy that demonstrate the best of humanity. By striving to cultivate these positive qualities and promoting empathy, understanding, and justice, we can work towards countering the debasing effects of cruelty and fostering a more compassionate world.
Biden Administration Staffers Demand Gaza Ceasefire In Demonstration Outside Of White House
Peace activism is about promoting peace resulting from right human relations in a spirit of goodwill, understanding that without justice there can’t be a lasting peace.
A nation that occupies another nation will never be free
“They don’t understand that 7 million Israelis are living here, and aren’t going anywhere, and a lot of Israelis don’t know that the 7 million Palestinians [in Israel and the territories] are not going anywhere either,” he [Rafael] said. “The only way forward is together.”
Human rights activist Ziv Stahl, executive director of the human rights organization Yesh Din, says she is not calling for revenge over what happened that day nor is she taking a pacifist position on Israel’s ensuing war in Gaza against Hamas. “I am not saying ceasefire at any cost,” she said. “Israel has a right to defend itself and protect Israeli citizens,” she explained, but not indiscriminately or at the cost of thousands of Palestinian lives.
Maoz Inon, co-owner of a hostel in Tel Aviv, told CNN he became a peace activist a week after his parents were killed in the October 7 attack. In that moment, he realized that “peace is the only thing that can bring security to everyone living in between the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.
Israeli American Elana Kaminka told CNN that her 20-year-old son Yannai was killed as he heroically defended Zikim training base near the border with Gaza.
The grief she feels for the loss of her son is all encompassing. She has struggled to write or continue with her volunteer work, which includes supporting victims of racist violence and transporting unwell Palestinian children to Israeli hospitals.
Kaminka does not have a clear position on the war and, like Stahl, says there are huge security concerns at play, especially when more than 100 hostages remain in Gaza. What she is certain of is that, in the long-term, Jewish-Palestinian coexistence is the only way forward.
If Israelis “really understood what was happening in the territories – the actual practical meaning of the occupation – I think their opinions would be different” … “And for Palestinians, also, it’s very easy to demonize Israelis and every Israeli soldier as a horrible person. It is super easy to live in a bubble where you don’t have any interaction with the other side.”
While pointing to the Palestinian village she used to visit, she said: “We have to find a way to build a common society that feels fair and feels just to as many people as possible.”
More Americans support Israelis than support Palestinians. This finding holds across polls. When a Marist poll (conducted for NPR and PBS) asked people which side they sympathized with more, 61 percent chose Israelis and 30 percent chose Palestinians. When YouGov (in a poll for The Economist) asked a similar question with a third option — “about equal” — the results also favored Israelis:
Over the past few years, Israel’s ongoing military occupation of Palestinian territory and repeated invasions of the Gaza strip have triggered a fierce backlash against Israeli policies virtually everywhere in the world — except the United States. The Occupation of the American Mind takes an eye-opening look at this critical exception, zeroing in on pro-Israel public relations efforts within the U.S.
Narrated by Roger Waters and featuring leading observers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. media culture, the film explores how the Israeli government, the U.S. government, and the pro-Israel lobby have joined forces, often with very different motives, to shape American media coverage of the conflict in Israel’s favor. From the U.S.-based public relations campaigns that emerged in the 1980s to today, the film provides a sweeping analysis of Israel’s decades-long battle for the hearts, minds, and tax dollars of the American people in the face of widening international condemnation of its increasingly right-wing policies.
Narrated by Roger Waters / Featuring Amira Hass, M.J. Rosenberg, Stephen M. Walt, Noam Chomsky, Rula Jebreal, Henry Siegman, Rashid Khalidi, Rami Khouri, Yousef Munayyer, Norman Finkelstein, Max Blumenthal, Phyllis Bennis, Norman Solomon, Mark Crispin Miller, Peter Hart, and Sut Jhally.
It was a test for the United States, for it is the American Jews who have created the situation, with relatively little help or endorsement from the Jews of other nations. The United States, urged by expediency, by the financial weight of the Zionists, and by the strategic position of Palestine, have thrown the weight of their influence into the conflict on the side of aggression and of territorial theft. They could have worked for the Principle of Harmony and permitted time and the non-separativeness of the nations to adjust and solve the Jewish problem.
The Rays and the Initiations by Alice A. Bailey (written circa 1948), p. 636
Understanding complex societal dynamics can be challenging. Complex ideas are often best understood through metaphors, and this is where the world of statistics can lend us a helping hand.
In statistics, we encounter different types of data distributions. Some, like the bimodal distribution, have two distinct peaks, symbolizing two separate groups or opinions. Others, like the standard normal distribution, have a single peak (unimodal distribution), representing unity or consensus within the diversity of the extremes.
Imagine a dance floor where two groups, each moving to their own distinct rhythm, are trying to find a common beat. This scene mirrors a mathematical concept known as a ‘bimodal distribution’ – the graph with two peaks representing two different groups or opinions. Now imagine these groups gradually finding a shared rhythm, moving together around a center until the dance floor pulses with a unified beat. This is akin to a ‘standard normal distribution’ – a graph with one peak indicating a consensus. This dance is similar to the statistical concept of merging two curves into one.
However, transforming a divided society (bimodal curve) into a united one (unimodal curve) isn’t straightforward. Reframing this problem, let’s consider two dancers – labeled Sensitivity and Specificity. Sensitivity would represent the ability to correctly identify truth, while Specificity would signify the capacity to spot falsehood. But they are just labels. Neither really knows what’s really true or false.
In our dance metaphor, these two dancers start on opposite sides of the dance floor (two different peaks). Their dance involves slowly moving towards each other until they share the same spot on the floor, dancing at the same rhythm (one common peak).
E Pluribus Unum. Although the x-axis shows a constant frame of reference, the center (zero) does actually shift in time, as explained in the text.
This movement signifies societal compromise and dialogue leading to unity. This doesn’t mean that truth and error should be averaged, thus compromising truth. It means that our understanding of truth and error — of good and evil — is always relative to our frame of reference. It is this frame of reference that must find a common ground of ever evolving factual truths, as earlier apparently all-inclusive facts are realized to be but minor aspects of still greater facts.
In real-world terms, Sensitivity and Specificity represent two opposing viewpoints in society. As they move towards a common ground — from what appears to be true and from what appears to be false — they symbolize societal integration. But getting there requires each side to make concessions, to change their steps to meet in the middle, dispassionate detachment from the outer disguises of good and evil, through dialogue, compromise, and the finding of common ground of factual truths.
The key to a successful dance, then, is to move from emotionally-driven positions towards a rational consensus. This shift is like turning down the volume on our emotional reactions to focus on the music’s beat – objective facts and mutually beneficial solutions. It’s about finding that common rhythm that allows the actors to reset to a new frame of reference and share the dance floor harmoniously.
However, it’s essential to remember that our dance metaphor, like all metaphors, is a simplification. Real-world societal dynamics are far more complex, influenced by factors such as power imbalances, systemic biases, and deeply ingrained beliefs. These can throw off the rhythm of our dance, making the path to unity more challenging.
The idea of transforming a bimodal curve into a standard normal curve offers a compelling visualization of societal reconciliation. It reminds us of the importance of dialogue, compromise, and above all, the need for “right human relations based on goodwill.” Right means just.
While statistics can’t capture every nuance of societal dynamics, it provides us with a conceptual framework to better understand our complex world. The transformation from a bimodal curve to a bell-shaped normal curve offers a compelling visualization of societal reconciliation. This dance metaphor may not be perfect, but it gives us a starting point to talk about, and work towards, societal unity.
Post Script
A consensus, unimodal curve does not necessarily imply “regression to the mean.” Progression to new means is not only possible but necessary for a democracy to thrive. However, this new rhythm can be achieved by rational consensus of a common vision (new centers) rather than by divisive emotions of competing selfish interests (old extremes).
We may transform our current bimodal political spectrum into a normal (bell-shaped) curve progressively centered around a positive trend of unbiased means aiming at more inclusive expressions of the common good. The extremes may serve the good purpose of pulling the center without breaking cohesion. Unity does not mean uniformity. However, the center must speak up to better balance the usually more vocal extremes.
The best of the past must be preserved as we embrace the future. Only a healthy, resilient center can accomplish such balance between conservative and progressive values, as we progress and realize that earlier apparently all-inclusive facts are but minor aspects of still greater facts. The greater does not nullify the minor, but enhances it, as is always the case in a hierarchical democracy.
Original 2023.11.28 version. This essay will be under constant revision as the metaphor is revised to make it consistent with the statistical theory of binary classifiers.
2023.11.29: A simpler, and probably more elegant solution, amenable to more flexible interpretations, without compromising statistical principles, would be mixing harmonics so that a normal curve would result, such as:
The bimodal third harmonic transformed into an unimodal normal curve by either its mirror image, shifting its phase angle by 1.5, and mixing with the amplitude of the first harmonic. Only half of the complete first harmonic cycle is shown.
A general model, with a mirror image of the second half of a complete first harmonic cycle.
Spiritual energies conveying the will-to-synthesis and the will-to-power have been directly impacting post-Atlantean humanity on the first quarter of each century since 1825. Both higher and lower expressions of these impacts are to be expected, as energies are impersonal. It’s up to humanity to choose how to use them.
During the 19th century, several notable initiatives emerged as remarkable demonstrations of the human will-to-synthesis. The Concert of Europe, established after the Napoleonic Wars, aimed to foster stability and cooperation among nations. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement emerged as a humanitarian force, providing aid and support to those in need. In 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union was founded, promoting dialogue and collaboration among parliamentarians worldwide. Additionally, the World Trade Organization facilitated international trade through its efforts.
However, not all expressions of these spiritual energies were positive. The widespread colonial expansion by European powers, fueled by the desire for power and resources, resulted in numerous negative consequences. This included conflicts in the Middle East and other regions, illustrating the complex interplay between higher expressions of will-to-synthesis and the will-to-power, and the potential for negative outcomes when driven by self-interest and domination.
In the 20th century, specifically in 1925, the impact of these energies had far-reaching consequences. It not only marked the rise of Fascism, a political ideology that emphasized authoritarianism and nationalism, but also witnessed the establishment of the United Nations, a global organization aimed at promoting international cooperation and preventing future conflicts. These events exemplified both the lower and higher expressions of the same energies, albeit with a heightened intensity that shaped the course of history.
As we approach the year 2025, there is a growing recognition of the higher expressions of the will-to-good, rooted in the concept of world goodwill among individuals who genuinely seek positive change globally. However, it is disconcerting to observe that fascist ideologies are gaining momentum across the world. From the alarming resurgence of far-right parties in Europe to the troubling spread of white nationalism in the United States, these trends pose significant threats to our collective well-being. This post aims to shed light on the risk identified by The Economist as “the biggest danger to the world in 2024,” urging us to critically evaluate and address these concerning developments.
In the 38 years since the predictive guide was first published, “no single person has ever eclipsed our analysis as much as Donald Trump eclipses 2024,” the article begins. It goes on to ponder what a Trump victory would mean for the world and claims that parliaments and boardrooms the world over are filled with “despair” at what may come:
A second Trump term would be a watershed in a way the first was not. Victory would confirm his most destructive instincts about power. His plans would encounter less resistance. And because America will have voted him in while knowing the worst, its moral authority would decline. The election will be decided by tens of thousands of voters in just a handful of states. In 2024 the fate of the world will depend on their ballots.
Trump would move his MAGA Republican allies into “the most important positions” in government, the article predicts, and Trump would be “unbound in his pursuit of retribution, economic protectionism and theatrically extravagant deals.”
Fascism is a form of far-right, authoritarian political ideology that centralizes power, suppresses opposition, and strives for a dictatorial government led by a single leader. It often utilizes a powerful nationalism narrative, advocating for ethnic purity and the suppression of political dissent1.
There are different types of fascism that have been identified over the years. The two primary forms are Italian Fascism, led by Benito Mussolini, and German National Socialism (Nazism), led by Adolf Hitler. Other variations include Spanish Falangism, Brazilian Integralism, and Japanese Statism2. Each of these types shares common elements but also has unique characteristics defined by their cultural and historical contexts.
2. History and Cycles
Fascism first emerged in Italy following World War I, amidst social unrest and fears of communist revolution. Mussolini capitalized on this turmoil, establishing the first fascist regime in 19223. Similarly, in Germany, Hitler rose to power in the wake of economic instability and national humiliation after the Treaty of Versailles.
Fascism tends to emerge in cycles, typically during periods of intense social, economic, or political upheaval. It often exploits societal fears and uses propaganda to gain support, promising stability and order while blaming societal ills on marginalized groups4.
3. Social Determinants and Predictors
Several social factors can predict the rise of fascism. These include economic instability, political polarization, societal unrest, and perceived threats to national identity5. Additionally, the presence of charismatic leaders who can manipulate public sentiment and exploit societal fears greatly contributes to the rise of fascist movements.
4. Current Trends
Currently, there’s a growing concern about the resurgence of neo-fascist ideologies around the world. From the rise of far-right parties in Europe to the spread of white nationalism in the United States, there’s evidence that fascist ideologies are gaining traction6. However, it’s important to distinguish between far-right populism and fascism, as the latter involves a total rejection of democratic principles and institutions.
5. Contrast with Authoritarianism, Monarchical Rule, and Populism
While all these ideologies share a centralization of power, they differ significantly. Authoritarianism is a broad term for any political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a leader or a small elite, but it doesn’t necessarily involve the nationalist and racial elements of fascism7.
Monarchical rule, on the other hand, derives authority from a hereditary line and may or may not be authoritarian. It often lacks the mass mobilization component and the dictatorial aspirations inherent in fascism8.
Populism, meanwhile, is a political approach that seeks to disrupt the existing social order by rallying the common people against elites. While fascism can employ populist rhetoric, it differs in its violent suppression of dissent, its dictatorial aspirations, and its emphasis on ethnic or racial purity9.
In conclusion, understanding fascism is crucial to safeguarding democratic institutions and values. By recognizing its characteristics and societal predictors, society can better guard against its resurgence.
Footnotes
Stanley, J. (2018). How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. Random House. ↩
Paxton, R. O. (2004). The Anatomy of Fascism. Alfred A. Knopf. ↩
Ebner, M. (2011). Ordinary Violence in Mussolini’s Italy. Cambridge University Press. ↩
Mann, M. (2004). Fascists. Cambridge University Press. ↩
Finchelstein, F. (2017). From Fascism to Populism in History. University of California Press. ↩
Mudde, C., & Kaltwasser, C. R. (2017). Populism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. ↩
Linz, J. J. (2000). Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes. Lynne Rienner Publishers. ↩
Skocpol, T. (1979). States and Social Revolutions: A Comparative Analysis of France, Russia, and China. Cambridge University Press. ↩
Müller, J.-W. (2016). What Is Populism?. University of Pennsylvania Press. ↩
Project 2025
Project 2025 is an initiative by The Heritage Foundation aimed at preparing for a conservative victory through policy, personnel, and training. The project’s goal is to rescue the country from the grip of the radical Left by establishing both a governing agenda and the right people to carry it out on Day One of the next conservative administration1.
The project builds on four pillars:
Policy Agenda: This comprehensive guide will offer specific proposals for every major issue facing the country, drawing from the expertise of the entire conservative movement.
Personnel Database: The project aims to identify conservatives from all walks of life across the country to serve in the next conservative administration.
Training: To transform this talent pool into effective conservative administrators, the project will offer workshops, seminars, online videos, and mentorship, led by experts who have served in prior administrations.
180-Day Playbook: This playbook will outline actions to be taken in the first 180 days of the new administration to bring quick relief to Americans suffering from the Left’s policies1.
The Presidential Transition Project, under the umbrella of Project 2025, has been making significant strides, with recent announcements of additions to the Presidential Administration Academy, reaching 75 coalition partners, and continuing development in preparation for the next Conservative President1.
Project 2025, an initiative by The Heritage Foundation, aims to prepare for a conservative victory through policy, personnel, and training. It has several key objectives that include restoring integrity, uprooting bureaucracy, and prioritizing the fossil fuel industry12.
Restoring Integrity: Project 2025 aims to restore integrity by ensuring that taxpayer money is used efficiently and effectively. For instance, one of its plans includes ceasing public funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which they argue will lead to conservative taxpayers not subsidizing what they perceive as a left-leaning organization3.
Uprooting Bureaucracy: To counter bureaucratic inefficiencies, Project 2025 is working on a plan to recruit tens of thousands of conservatives to replace existing federal civil service workers2. It believes that such a move will streamline operations and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic procedures4.
Prioritizing the Fossil Fuel Industry: The project seeks to prioritize the fossil fuel industry over clean energy alternatives. This includes proposals to bar funding for the UN’s Green Climate Fund and radically boost fossil fuel consumption56. However, this aspect of the agenda has faced criticism, with opponents arguing that it neglects environmental concerns and the need for sustainable, clean energy solutions78.
It’s important to note that these plans have faced opposition, particularly in relation to prioritizing the fossil fuel industry over clean energy. Some polls indicate that voters reject this aspect of the Project 2025 plan in favor of President Biden’s clean energy plan7.
The “Restoring Integrity” aspect of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 aims to ensure accountability and justice within the U.S. government, including within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)12.
Department of Justice: The project proposes to restore the integrity of the DOJ by ensuring consistent litigation1. This could involve implementing more rigorous checks and balances and increasing transparency in the department’s operations. However, the specifics of how these changes would be implemented are not detailed in the available sources.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The Heritage Foundation suggests giving the FBI a “hard reset”1. This could potentially involve restructuring the organization, reducing administrative offices3, and decreasing headquarters staff to improve efficiency and effectiveness. They argue that such changes would help fix perceived issues within the bureau and restore public faith in the institution43.
The project also advocates for the dismantling of what it refers to as “weaponized intelligence agencies”5. It argues that there has been an erosion of constitutional safeguards by U.S. intelligence agencies and seeks to correct this.
However, it’s important to note that these proposals have been met with criticism. Opponents argue that the project could potentially undermine established institutions and policies6. These perspectives represent the views of the Heritage Foundation and its Project 2025, and there are differing viewpoints on these issues.
The “Restoring Integrity” part of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 aims to restore faith in the executive branch of the U.S. government by ensuring that it functions based on conservative principles and values12. The project argues that this can be achieved by putting the right people in the right roles34.
However, some critics have raised concerns that this could potentially lead to an overpowering Executive branch, thereby upsetting the balance of power among the three constitutional branches of government – Executive, Legislative, and Judicial5. This concern stems from the belief that if one political ideology dominates the executive branch, it could potentially dictate policy and exert undue influence over the other branches6.
In a worst-case scenario, critics worry that if the checks and balances system were to fail, there could potentially be a shift towards an authoritarian regime, where power is concentrated in the executive branch7. This would be a significant departure from the democratic principles upon which the U.S. government is founded, including the separation of powers and checks and balances.
It’s important to note that these are potential concerns raised by critics and not stated intentions of the Heritage Foundation or its Project 2025. The foundation asserts its commitment to constitutional principles and the preservation of American liberties12.
However, history has numerous examples of charismatic leaders who have used the guise of “restoring integrity” to centralize power and establish authoritarian regimes.
Benito Mussolini – Italy: Mussolini, a charismatic leader, came to power in Italy in 1922 with the promise of restoring the country’s political and economic stability1. He gradually dismantled democratic institutions, consolidated power within the executive branch, and established a totalitarian regime12.
Adolf Hitler – Germany: Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933. He leveraged his charisma and promises of restoring Germany’s integrity after the hardships of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles3. Hitler gradually centralized political and military power, ultimately establishing a totalitarian regime4.
Hugo Chávez – Venezuela: Chávez won the presidential elections in 1998 on the promise of combating corruption and poverty5. His charismatic leadership and popular support allowed him to consolidate power, rewrite the constitution, and reduce the influence of opposition forces6. His government is considered a model of modern authoritarianism7.
These examples illustrate how charismatic leaders can use the idea of “restoring integrity” to win public support, consolidate power, and establish authoritarian regimes. Although these historical examples do not necessarily predict future events, they should serve as warning signals of potential danger. Not all tropical depressions become category 5 hurricanes, but they should be closely monitored.
There is only one way in which this focused evil will which is responsive to the Shamballa force can be overcome, and that is by the opposition of an equally focused spiritual Will, displayed by responsive men and women of goodwill who can train themselves to be sensitive to this type of new incoming energy and can learn how to invoke and evoke it.
You can consequently see why there was more than the casual use of a current word in my mind when I talked to all of you in terms of goodwill and of the will-to-good. All the time I had in my thoughts not just kindness and good intention, but the focused will-to-good which can and must evoke the Shamballa energy, and use it for the arresting of the forces of evil. -Source: The Externalisation of the Hierarchy (quoted text written in April, 1942)
Rachel Maddow’s Prequel traces the rise of a radical strain of authoritarianism that has been alive and well in America for the better part of a century. Taking readers back to the early days of World War II, Maddow, with her inimitable wit and humor, introduces us to a clandestine network of far-far-right American radicals, united by one goal: to overthrow the U.S. government and install authoritarian rule. Through a series of sophisticated and shockingly well-funded efforts—including an astonishing amount of support among serving members of Congress—these extremists would bring America into a much closer flirtation with fascism than we want to remember. Through the heroic resistance of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens, their goal was never achieved…but the seeds of extremism were planted and have reached forward through history into our present. As we navigate through our own disquieting times, Prequel offers a roadmap from U.S. history, marked both with heroics to emulate and traps and pitfalls to avoid.
A “just war” is a concept that goes back to classical and medieval philosophy, and it’s used to determine when a nation or state has a right to go to war and how it should conduct itself during the conflict. The idea is to ensure that war is morally justifiable through a series of criteria, which are usually split into two categories: ‘jus ad bellum‘ (the right to go to war) and ‘jus in bello‘ (right conduct within war).
Jus Ad Bellum:
Just Cause: War is only permissible to confront a real and certain danger.
Competent Authority: Only duly constituted public authorities may wage war.
Comparative Justice: The injustice suffered by one party must significantly outweigh that suffered by the other.
Right Intention: The intention must be to secure a just peace for all involved.
Last Resort: War can only be used after all peaceful and viable alternatives have been seriously tried and exhausted.
Probability of Success: There must be a reasonable chance of success.
Proportionality: The anticipated benefits of waging a war must be proportionate to its expected evils or harms.
Jus In Bello:
Distinction: Combatants and non-combatants must be distinguished. Actions should only be directed towards enemy combatants.
Proportionality: The force used must be proportional to the harm caused by the enemy.
Military Necessity: Military action can only be taken if it is necessary to achieve a military objective.
Fair Treatment of Prisoners of War: POWs must be treated fairly and humanely.
No Means Malum in Se: Weapons and tactics must not be “evil in themselves”. These include those that cause unnecessary suffering, such as biological or chemical weapons.
Examples of what some consider just wars include World War II, when Allied forces fought against the Axis powers who were committing mass atrocities, and the American Civil War, which was fought to end slavery.
Israel is not waging a just war
Israel is not waging a just war. That’s why men and women of goodwill must oppose it.
The war declared by Israel against Hamas does not fulfill any of the ‘jus ad bellum‘ criteria for a just war. Hamas is not a competent authority representing the Palestine people. However, Israel is waging war against all Palestinians in Gaza (and in the West Bank since before October 7). The Palestinian right of self-determination in their occupied land is not a “real and certain danger” to the Jewish people, but only to the Zionist supremacists. The true intention of the war effort is not to secure peace through right human relations with the Palestinians, but to ethnically cleanse Palestinians “from the river to the sea,” as evidenced in the criminal collective punishment of Gaza. Moreover, peaceful negotiations have not been exhausted, there is nil probability that anti-Zionistic terrorism will be eradicated in the region, and the current “exchange rate” of 100 to 1 Palestinians killed relative to the October 7 terrorist attack is disproportionate. True, civilians were killed in WW-II as unintended collateral damage, but not in a 100:1 proportion, a disproportionate rate increasing every day.
Therefore, based on the principles of legitimate authority, just cause, right intention, last resort, reasonable chance of success, and proportionality, we must conclude that Israel’s actions towards Hamas do not justify this war. Recapitulating,
Hamas is not a competent authority: This criterion demands that war can only be waged by a legitimate and recognized authority. Hamas, as an organization, does not adequately represent the Palestinian people.
Comparative justice is absent: The right of Palestinians to self-determination is not a real and certain danger to the Jewish people, thus questioning the just cause for war.
Right intention is not present: The true intention is not peace but rather the displacement of the Palestinians, which would violate the criterion of right intention.
Peaceful negotiations have not been exhausted: The principle of last resort requires that all non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified. This is evidently not the case.
There is little probability of success: The eradication of anti-Zionist sentiment and actions in the region is unlikely, thus failing the criterion of reasonable chance of success.
The response is disproportionate: The principle of proportionality demands that the violence used in war must be proportional to the injury suffered. The high casualty rate among Palestinians compared to Israelis demonstrates a lack of proportionality.
For all these reasons Israel is not waging a just war. Butthere is a more fundamental reason: this war is simply not right.
The rational (legal) mind is usually lost in a labyrinth of reasonings ending in either right or wrong inferences, but can’t ascertain a moral truth as self-evident. Only the intuitive mind can discern right from wrong with certainty. This war is simply not right.
World War II and the American Civil War were justified as valid exceptions to the general rule of the evil of war. A rational mind fixed on the ideology of pacifism would consider such valid exception as subjective and arbitrary. However, the intuitive mind would see the truth of the lesser of two evils to justify the valid exception of a just war. Israel’s vengeful retribution for the October 7 terrorist attack is not a valid exception to justify the evil of war. This war is simply not right.
Only a Adept of the fifth initiation, a Master of Wisdom and Compassion, can ascertain truth with perfect intuition. All spiritual aspirants, disciples and initiates under the 5th degree are in the process of calibrating their intuitive sense in a trial and error (quality improvement) process until perfection is attained. That’s why the Master’s viewpoint is useful as a reference, until we can directly see the truth.
The planetary spiritual Hierarchy approved the just war of the Forces of Light against Fascism from 1939 through 1945, culminating in the creation of the United Nations. However, the spiritual Hierarchy did not approve the creation of the state of Israel in land stolen from the Palestinians. Today, we are facing the consequence of this initial fatal error of the United Nations, further flawed by the veto power of its Security Council opposing the liberation of Palestine. The supremacist racial agenda of the Zionists in Palestine is wrong, as evidenced by the greater than 100:1 exchange rate of civilians casualties since the creation of the state of Israel. That’s why this war is simply not right.
O Thou Who givest sustenance to the universe, From Whom all things proceed, To Whom all things return, Unveil to us the face of the true Spiritual Sun Hidden by a disc of golden Light That we may know the Truth And do our whole duty As we journey to Thy sacred feet.
From the point of Light within the Mind of God Let light stream forth into the minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God Let love stream forth into the hearts of men. May Christ* return to Earth.
From the centre where the Will of God is known Let purpose guide the little wills of men – The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the centre which we call the race of men Let the Plan of Love and Light work out And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.
*Many religions believe in a World Teacher, a “Coming One”, knowing him under such names as the Lord Maitreya, the Imam Mahdi, the Kalki Avatar and the Bodhisattva. These terms are sometimes used in versions of the Great Invocation for people of specific faiths.
The United States Must Stop Military Aid to Israel
The United States must not approve military aid package to Israel as it pummels Palestinian civilians, most of them refugees and children.
The US is planning to transfer $320 million worth of precision-guided bomb equipment to Israel, according to three people familiar with the matter, amid Israel’s aerial bombardment of Gaza as part of its war on Hamas.
The sale of the Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies – a type of precision bomb kit that can turn unguided bombs into GPS-guided munitions – to Israel was approved by the relevant US congressional committees several months ago, before Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and sparked a war, one of the sources said.
But the State Department did not formally notify congressional leaders that the transfer was moving forward until October 31, according to the sources and a formal notification reviewed by CNN.
The stock prices of weapons manufacturers have skyrocketed over the recent period and continue to rise as Israel bombards Gaza. These are obscene profits of the US Industrial Military Complex.
In the immediate aftermath of the Israel-Hamas War, shares of military contractors spiked as both institutional and retail investors bought in, according to VandaTrack research.
The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, which tracks companies including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, has surged by about 7% since the initial attacks on Israel earlier this month.
It is imperative for the United States to uphold its responsibilities under International humanitarian law and human rights law, along with its commitments outlined in the declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas. By doing so, the nation would demonstrate its unwavering dedication to promoting justice and protecting the well-being of all.
Political Zionism Is Racism
Anti Zionism Is NOT Anti Semitism
An invited essay
A Plea: Please Don’t Look Away. We Are Not Powerless.
Today like every day, we are seeing the horrible traumas of life and death in the multiple areas of conflict around the globe. And they are not decreasing. There are those whose loved ones are far away from them and are suffering this pain of war and famine whilst they themselves remain safe. Their worry is beyond belief. Then there is us, we who just watch. We do not know the names; we do not know the faces. But we see them, and we hear them, and we know this is Not Right. This is not the kind of world we want to live in.
All over the world, hearts are breaking, lives are taken, for nothing. For an idea. That you and I are separate. That you are wrong, and I am right. That we are not one human race.
But please don’t look away. We are not powerless. Our power, first and foremost, is in our steadfastness and peace. Please do not lose your peace. Please do not let the virus of rage, hate and sorrow overtake you.
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh once said: “Our enemy is never another person. Our enemy is the wrong perceptions within him. When a doctor sees a person who is suffering, he tries to identify the sickness within the patient and remove it. He doesn’t try to kill his patient. The role of the doctor is to cure the illness which is within.”
But how do we cure the extreme illness of hate, fear and separation that has infected our planet, which overtakes us and our nations? The cure has to begin with me. It has to sincerely begin with me, here and now, in my own life. Every human being is a cell in the planetary being. We need to make our cells healthy. Only our peace and deep understanding will put out the fire of the virus raging within. Hate and anger is an enormous waste of energy, an illness in itself. We hold it at a distance.
Then, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: “Don’t just pray; do something.” There are, thankfully, a multitude of groups, organizations and individuals doing something to right the wrongness in the world in every kind of way.
So, we are not powerless. We can all do something. If we ourselves are suffering ill health, overwhelment or busyness, we can know that taking good care of ourselves and those around us, is doing something.
But if we have any time and space in our minds, it behoves all of us to not look away, to do something, any little thing. It begins with understanding and awakening from our self-focussed little lives into the greater whole.
Do we know what is going on, and why? Do we know what other human beings are enduring? History never begins yesterday. Everyone can find an unbiased, easily-understood source about any given event in history. Even one, clear source of information can help us understand. We will never find this through popular media. Please question and question again your sources. Please understand the narrative you are hearing, and why. When we put true information to our own hearts, we can see how to act.
Some people say the old world is dying and the new is being born. This, then, is surely the time to act. There are voices being heard in the thousands all over the world. This is not political. This is: Just Stop the Killing. Stop the Wars. Give Peace a Chance. Now.
We can join with and talk to people; we can write a letter; we can speak the truth. We don’t even need to elucidate who is good and who is evil. How often the enemy is within, within ourselves, within our own borders? Do we need to see enemies everywhere? We need to transform the anger, rage, and sorrow within ourselves to positive action of any kind.
At the very least, and yet this is very great, we can light a candle, send up and out a hope and a prayer and a thought for the suffering. Once a day, once a week, once a month. “We know you are there, and you are not forgotten.” Mother Theresa said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
So please do not look away. Not from the facts and truth about the world, about ourselves and what is being done in our name, the human race. Those out there need to know, “Your suffering is my suffering. We hear you and we see you.”
So we are not powerless. As for those perpetrating the killing: Stop it. Listen to us. You are infected. You will never, ever be well this way. With every human life you take, you are killing a part of yourself, you are killing our beautiful planet. You will never ever have peace. Who are you anyway? A killing machine? You are a human being, with divine potential. Give up this drug of hate and violence. Lay down your arms. Sit with us.
So please, world, do not look away.
We can hold their suffering in our hearts. And raise our candles high, so we don’t stay dark against the night. And not just pray, do something.
Alexandra Ratcliffe (meditator, peace activist, educator in English, History, Government and Politics). Revised 4 DEC 2023
