6 Jun 2008 @ 07:16, by Glistening Deepwater
It has come to my attention that there is a general tendency for people to be more attached to their opinion than they are interested in the truth. These are challenging words I know, yet if we fail to address this problem then we have no hope whatsoever of solving any of the other many problems which face humanity as a whole.
I believe that it is not too much to ask that we, as representatives of a thinking humanity, put our personal agendas aside and genuinely engage with the situation in a detached and impartial manner. We have the opportunity to grow beyond our current limited understanding (as a whole) but in order to do this effectively we need to realize ourselves as more than just 'individuals' and embrace our roles as potential guides to the human race.
No one of us can grasp the whole situation, no one of us can formulate the 'answer' that liberates us all from illusion, delusion and dysfunction. Only by our willingness to embrace and understand each others views and knowledge can we create a whole picture of what is going on here (on this planet, at this time) and in so doing together create a solution that works its way out into the civilization as a whole.
Whilst any one of us is participating from a separatist position, in the false belief that they alone have the insight that applies to all, we will be stuck in the current impasse. I urge all of us to honestly take stock of our position, painful as that may seem. It is a fact that no person of good-will would judge the genuine efforts of another to come to a position of clarity, and in fact the efforts so made will be received with humble gratitude and compassion for the individual sacrifice made during such an endeavor.
We can no longer allow personal fear to get in the way of group progress. This, wether we like it or not, is the truth. Until we are ready to 'stand naked in the light of day', real progress toward solving the problems of humanity will be impossible for those in denial of this simple, fundamental truth.
It is with Love for all humanity that I make this appeal, to you my brothers and sisters, put your personal material behind you and emerge as the children of the universe that you are.
Following is an abstract from an entry in the Wiki pedia that illustrates what happens if we fail to take effective measures to overcome the tendency to separatism and egotism that characterizes much of the current modern western discourse.
Absence of Trust:
The first of the dysfunctions, absence of trust, stems from teams unwillingness to be vulnerable within the group. Team members who are not genuinely open with one another about their mistakes and weaknesses make it impossible to build a foundation for trust.
Fear of Conflict:
This failure to build trust is damaging because it sets a tone for the second dysfunction: fear of conflict. Teams that lack trust are incapable of engaging in unfiltered passionate debate of ideas. Instead, they resort to veiled discussions and guarded comments.
Lack of Commitment:
A lack of healthy conflict is a problem because it ensures the third dysfunction of a team: lack of commitment. without having aired their opinions in the course of passionate and open debate, team members rarely, if ever, buy in and commit to decisions, though they may feign agreement during meetings.
Avoidance of Accountability:
Because of this lack of real commitment and buy-in, team members develop an avoidance of accountability, the fourth dysfunction. Without committing to a clear plan of action, even the most focused and driven people often hesitate to call their peers on actions and behaviors that seem counterproductive to the good of the team.
Inattention to Results:
Failure to hold one another accountable creates an environment where the fifth dysfunction can thrive. Inattention to results occurs when team members put their individual needs (such as ego, career development, or recognition) or even the needs of their divisions above the collective goals of the team.
I hope that readers of this article will be inspired to put the greater good of humanity above their own perceived personal needs and take up the challenge to be honest with themselves, for the good of all.
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