Seeking the Sacred

Martin Rutte lays out for us a plan of the future. It's time to eliminate the injustice and suffering in the world. We can do this if we look in our hearts because in each of us are templates for things as they should be. We each have experienced moments of "heaven on earth". So make it happen says he. As illustration and incentive of things as they are and things as they could be he offers a chart which is simplified a bit in the chart to the right.

The religious traditions of the world have all this high vision of the world. It is God's vision. It is our opportunity. There is much good happening already - everywhere - all the time. And when we notice it, we change. It transforms our relation to the world and to others. Our contribution can be smiling at everyone or a major project in the world. What matters is our participation. Everyone counts.

This study began with the Stephen Lewis Massey Lectures on the effect of aids in Africa respecting the Millenium Development Goals. And indeed, Stephen Lewis is the champion of the next chapter. In the USA, the Evangelical Lutherans and also the Episcopalians have adopted the MDGs. Here are 2 short videos explain the natural connection between the MDGs and the Church. Lutheran. Episcopalian.

Some people would change the internal world, thinking inner change preceeds any outside involvement. Rutte says: work on yourself, live your values, discover your purpose, express yourself, experience the divine, be aware, make affirmations, and build the future.

Others would change the external world. He notes these work on: ending the world's sufferings, making institutions effective, building the nation(s), and uniting the nation(s).

Rutte makes an interesting point about the difficulties he calls "roadblocks". He says they go together with objectives and are no reason to stop. The way to an objective is to make a commitment. Commitment assumes responsibility for whatever happens along the way. It's a matter of extending the mindset, each doing our part - not believing in it, just doing it.

""How we create commitment is simple. Give our word to ourselves, someone else, or a group - and then honor our word."

"It's time to wake up. It's time to begin the next chapter in the collective story of humanity's evolution, a positive chapter we've been waiting and hungering for. We can't wait any longer. The time is now, the place is here, and the person is you."

Heaven over Earth	Heaven on Earth
Me vs You	We
Isolation	Connection
Independent	Interdependent
Separation	Unity
Disrespect	Respect
Self Interest or Altruism	Self Interest and Altruism
Selfish Interest	Making a Difference
Competition	Cooperation
Win / Lose	Win / Win
Greed	Generosity
Scarcity	Sufficiency
Consumption	Sustainability
Not my problem	Our problem
Exploit the Earth	Steward the Earth
Extremism	Moderation
Exclusion	Inclusion
Survival	Security
War	Peace
Mistrust of Institutions	Trust of Institutions
Limitations	Possibilities

MEDIA LINKS:

We Are The World
Time For Change - John Perkins
The Millenium Development Goals - Micah 6-8
The Millenium Development Goals - Evangelical Lutherans
The Millenium Development Goals - Episcopals
Don't Give Up - Gono & Alicia Keys
Waiting for the World to Change - John Mayer
Prayer for Mankind - Caroline MacKay

Discussion - Discuss: This is my vision for a better world, and this is what I am going to do about it.

Rutte quotes:

"We need to be realistic and altruistic, together. We need to be pragmatic#dreamers. We need to combine our inner and outer worlds in the visioning#process" (106)

"We seek a world that works, and want to make a difference." (95/6)

"Vaclav Havel: Only a new spiritual vision can save civilization." (105)

"Do we see roadblocks or stepping stones ahead of us? Begin with a goal, and a commitment to it." (117)

"Distinguish between optimism and hope. Optimism is a human characteristic. Hope is what our faith offers us to face the challenges out there."

"Think globallly, act locally. We want to implant the ideas we have#discovered into the hearts and minds of others. Our families, our congregation, our workplaces, and beyond."

"An open heart is able to expand consciousness."

"We need education that leads to action. Visuals and people from affected places that inspire us and our congregation to greater awareness and#response."

"We seek more balance in the world - economic, political, and spiritual."

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