Metaphysics and American Politics analyzes the relationship of metaphysical or mystical studies with contemporary American politics. The first half of the book reviews many metaphysical concepts, and hints at how some might be related to politics.
The second half deals more heavily with numerous political issues, and refers to metaphysical concepts for ways in which the political issues might be sensibly resolved. It also promotes the concept of direct democracy - a system in which the American voters could vote nationally on any issue.
I wrote it during the Obama administration, but did not find an interested traditional publisher. However, the Trump and Biden eras, and beyond, have since made politics even more lively, and made the needs for populism and direct democracy even more urgent.
Preface:
Metaphysics and American Politics is partly the product of a lifelong ambition. The prospect of bringing science and religion into agreement has intrigued me since childhood. It just never seemed right that these two fascinating subjects should deal with separate worlds and be irreconcilable. Another fifty years of that Grail quest finally yielded a collection of insights worth sharing.
The other ambition that inspired this work surfaced in adulthood, and is a bit more down-to- earth. Along with a healthy majority of my fellow Americans I share a grave concern about the moral and social direction of our nation, and about the quality of leadership provided by its political establishment. As well it should, this concern extends to the rest of Western civilization, which shares much of the same culture and has experienced many similar problems.
A remarkable realization is that these two causes share a common solution. America has long been jostled back and forth between two major political parties. Each is a lightning rod for many special interests, lying to the “left” or the “right” of some national norm. The “center” seems too often to be left out in the cold. A related and curious phenomenon is that much of the religious establishment tends to be politically conservative, while most scientists tend to be liberal. In pondering these issues it occurred to me that scientists are not liberal because of their scientific thinking, as some of them might claim; but rather because their intellect is directed toward the material world. Many religious leaders, in contrast, are very conservative because of having their heads in the spiritual clouds, while not having their feet planted firmly upon the ground. Successful application of scientific thinking to the spiritual arena not only will bring science and religion into better equilibrium, but also will inspire holistic attitudes that will energize the center of the social and political spectrums. This can address much of the social crisis, as the chapters ahead will demonstrate.
Spiritual science is not new, but is only recently coming back into vogue. The pages that follow will introduce some impressive schools of Western scientific spiritual thought, a few of which have existed for more than two millennia. They are parts of what is often referred to as metaphysical studies. Throughout the centuries, as at present, they have attracted a specialized and limited following. Certain fringe aspects of metaphysics such as daily horoscopes, sign matching for lovers, and psychic hot lines have long been popular. However, these often have been dealt with in such a petty manner as to discredit the social importance and scientific validity of loftier metaphysical subjects. Today’s holistic and self-help groups are an improvement, but usually stop short of the deepest aspects of top-notch spiritual science.
My intent is to offer an entertaining work that will bring its message to as many people as possible. Academic treatises, limited to the ivory tower, are not as effective at inducing social change. However, there is a more profound reason for humor, which may require a little increase in spiritual awareness for some to appreciate: The human condition, in which all seems so serious, is actually an illusion, though often solid and sometimes painful. The only way that a society of infinite and immortal beings can rise above this illusion is to comprehend the fact that we, ourselves, have created it and can dissolve any or all of it; and to realize that being “only human” is as ridiculous as fearing one’s own shadow.
Spiritual awakening is inherently embarrassing. Real growth has occurred when one can look back and say, “What a big dummy I was!” There is no way out that will avoid the realization of this cosmic humor. Sometimes the way up can be a little bumpy, but if continued it inevitably becomes fun, and even funny. Those who believe that the way to salvation must forever be a path of drudgery, because of human depravity, are just clinging tightly to the depravity itself. True, the task ahead is full of challenges and is not as easy as falling off of a log. However, a half century or so of constructive self-embarrassment has led me to realize that most drudgery arises from a failure to set one’s sights wide enough and one’s aspirations high enough.