Cloistering Ourselves to Polorization

I just listened to a talk show in which an author and spiritual leader of sorts was talking about our current political and cultural environment. She said she did something that on the surface seems admirable, but beneath the surface—so telling in and of itself.

She said she purposely made lunch dates with people from the opposite political party from her. She also said they didn't talk about politics, but just regular life—job, kids, etc. That's fine. Great people can be found with hugely diverse beliefs; so, hopefully she is learning this.

But WHAT PLANET DOES SHE LIVE ON? She must purposely seclude herself from socializing or having relationships with people that have differing beliefs from her own in her everyday life.

Those of us in business, those of us with big families or a wide range of relationships, have a great advantage over those who stick to their own tribe so exclusively. Understanding, compassion, and really hearing others who are different is a learned skill that perhaps many aren't purposely developing.

Which explains a lot. Where we are now in the political world is highly divisive. There seems to be very little listening. Each viewpoint paints the other side in an almost comical, stereotypical way, which demeans everyone.

We need to really listen with our hearts, to everyone. We need to understand where others are coming from beyond what leaders say, beyond what the stereotypes are. It's not enough to put others who disagree with us in a box and say, "Oh well they think that way because, such and such." That's condescending.

Listening with compassion heals.

Why Does it have to be Either Or?

Why does it have to be either/or?

Right or Left?

Capitalism or Socialism?

In a conscious society,

These labels aren't needed

Aren't beneficial

Are too divisive

Instead of criticizing corporations

Let's increase, foster, embrace the highly

Conscious ones

Run by the aware and awakened

Ask them to help

Let's be gentle with those corporate heads

With whom we disagree

And listen to them.

They have needed knowledge

And provide needed jobs

They aren't the enemy

Being flatly anti-capitalism

Antagonizes

Pushes away

Lowers consciousness

Being flatly anti-green

Antagonizes

Pushes away

Lowers consciousness

On the environment,

Remove the argument

Of global warming.

All will never agree

Let's all embrace

Mother Earth

Mother Nature

Foster Love for her

In word and deed

By this emphasis

Instead of scientific

Arguments

All can be healed

Aligning with one political party

With high and good ideals

May be positive

If one remains open

And not combative to

Other values

Other's beliefs

It is indeed

Of high consciousness

To hold regard

For other's beliefs

Gently

Lovingly

Only when we hold

Our own values

And others

In this gentle way

And learn to deeply listen

Will we feel the shift

That will end

The polarization 

And emerge

Into a new way

With a new path

For all