Our problems, both those we experience externally such as wars, crime and violence and those we experience internally as emotional and psychological suffering will not be solved until we address this underlying neglect of our inner dimension. That is why the great movements of the last hundred years and more--democracy, liberalism, socialism, and Communism--have all failed to deliver the universal benefits they were supposed to provide, despite many wonderful ideas. A revolution is called for, certainly, but not a political, an economic, or a technical revolution. We have had enough experience of these during the past century to know that a purely external approach will not suffice. What I propose is a spiritual revolution.
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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2 comments:
The problem with a word like 'spiritual' is that people read it as 'religious' and nothing divides people quicker than religion, even quicker than politics. I would suggest that what is needed is an attitudinal revolution. People need to change their attitudes towards so many different things. Perhaps the word I am looking for is an ethical revolution. We've seen the start of these in the past - take the French revolution with its guiding principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity (good idea) and look how that worked out - so the problem is probably one of management, how to manage the revolution whether it be an ethical one or a spiritual one.
I think, from my reading and listening to him. the dalai lama is deliberate in his use of the word spiritual, in the sense that transcends the particularity of religion. the fact that many people turn tail at the use of the word--well, that's an indication of the necessity of the revolution.
good to see you.
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