Enlightened Planetary Interest

The most prominent economic theorist of the previous age, Adam Smith, theorized that every consumer would act under his or her own best interest both in earning as well as spending money. It was called Enlightened Self Interest.

It is this concept which led to the inception of corporation: an immoral entity, which if considered an individual, would qualify as a psychopath. It was only too easy for the elite capitalists at the helm in large corporations to become exceedingly wealthy with little to no awareness of the environmental and social costs of doing business.

There is a great imbalance in the planetary distribution of wealth. The poorest island and coastal African nations stand to be submerged in as soon as 50 years. The world is still plagued with slavery, extortion, child labor, sweat shops, etc. And all based on this economic theory of Enlightened Self Interest.

But lately there is so much disruption and dismay that people are looking beyond the needs of themselves or their immediate family. People in struggle have awakened to the need to help their neighbors and become active in their communities. It is the emergence of a higer order economy: Enlightened Planetary Interest.

The desire to survive has awakened the possibility of peace and planetary cooperation. Millions of individuals and groups are stepping up to create Reality 2.0. Each one is focused first on self healing and next on service to The Greater Good. And part and parcel of the peace is radical acceptance of diversity. People will celebrate one antoher's cultures and religious perspectives. We'll understand the kaliedescopic nature of creation and manifestation. We'll appreciate those who appear to be very different from ourselves.

In times of great change, a coalition of determined visionaries leads the emergence of an entirely new order, a new way of being. At this time that new way is characterized by awareness of the delicate interconnections of all life. Welcome to the age of Enlightened Planetary Interest. Welcome to the Dawn of Gaia Consciousness.

Connected

I see that we're becoming more and more connected. And I am not simply referring to our technology driven connections. We do seem to have a much greater collective awareness than ever before as a species. I see more clarity and order than I would otherwise expect under the present day circumstances.

I have a great deal of hope for the future. I recently sat next to an Indian American on a flight from Boston to Chicago. Together we artfully explored science, politics, and religion. It was the sort of graceful inquiry where neither party becomes entangled in any sort of drama over the language or beliefs of the other. I see that more and more we are all becoming graceful in our inquiry. I see that we're becoming more loving and caring in our gestures and words.

And I don't believe I'm looking at the world through rose colored glasses. I believe that times have gotten tough enough to catalyze new heights of partnership, respect for diversity, and compassion. And that is worth being hopeful about.