I.  Outer, Active Work

1)Transform conflict by listening more deeply to a group or person you disagree with:

·        Work to find higher common ground;

·        Refuse to become entrenched in a polarized position; but stand for principles;

·        Look for the grain of truth, the positive intent in your opponent’s position;

·        Build a higher synthesis of the best of both sides of an issue; a left/right synthesis finding the grain of truth on both sides.

·        Use a whole systems approach -- see how all issues are interconnected with each other and with other factors.
 

2)  Build the new, don’t just fight the old: Work with those individuals and organizations most open to the new ideas and ways of working; don’t try to crack the hardest, most resistant cases, as life will eventually open them.

3) Commit to action: put your money and time behind your values -- Join or contribute to an organization that is effectively creating solutions to social problems, such as war, violence, pollution, hunger, poverty, etc..

4) Promote a code of conduct for campaigns and for public life - Principles for political leaders to sign on to if they want our support; demand transparency.

5) Focus on ethics and values in public debates on issues and in discussions with friends and colleagues—people are hungry for deeper meaning and spiritual ideas.

6) Create a “salon” - a citizen dialogue or study group in your home to study and discuss an issue, and then develop an action plan to address it.

7)      Build public opinion: Write letters to the editor of your paper and to your Congresspeople– comment on current problems and suggest solutions, voice support or opposition to important legislation—your opinion is important.

8)      Be engaged in the political process – In a democracy, it’s a spiritual responsibility to vote and education yourself politically; as Jefferson said, “A people get the government they deserve.” 

II.  Inner, Spiritual Work 

1) Watch or read the news with a new lens, reflecting on problems and crises from a spiritual perspective:

a)      Examine the inner, spiritual forces at work behind events—the symbolism and the deeper causes or karma of an event or crisis

b)      Observe the spiritual lessons being learned by those involved and all of us:

·        understand the meaning of the crisis by identifying with the participants

·        develop compassion and love for all involved in the event or crisis

·        reflect on how the event or crisis serves a larger purpose in human evolution

c)      Note the “coincidence” of the timing of events and natural disasters with collective human thoughts and emotions

2) Pray – To invoke more enlightened leaders, to ask that our leaders be guided by higher spiritual principles, to heal the divisions which divide us and create a society that truly serves the good of the whole.

3) Meditate – To create inner peace and overcome fear; to receive spiritual guidance for decision-making; to send positive, healing energy to world crises.

4) Invoke the soul of our nation - Honestly assess national strengths and weaknesses, avoiding chauvinism, and visualize the nation’s soul or higher purpose coming into greater expression, to create a more just and peaceful world for all people. (For the U.S. a key soul quality is loving, inclusive wisdom which serves the good of all people.)

5) Adopt a leader - Choose a political leader who has potential for good, but who needs help, and follow his/her career; write him/her letters of support; send your prayers and positive energy to help alignment with his/her highest self.

6) Energize the positive, rather than focus on the negative - Give attention, energy and support to “best practices”--innovative solutions that promote greater harmony, compassion and justice in the world.

7) Build new thought-forms - Understand the life cycle of ideas; listen inwardly to receive inspiration to further human evolution; shape ideas into clear thoughtforms, energize them emotionally with your enthusiasm, promulgate them widely.