Seven Design Principles for a Spiritual Economy
© 2009 Gordon Davidson
When confusion and illusion reign, the spiritual approach is to cut through the Gordian knot by enunciating clear principles that offer us torch lights on our pathway out of the swamp of fear, anger and confusion. Once this is fully understood by political and business leaders, and some principles for a new, spiritually based economy are widely enunciated, we will enter a period of re-designing our economic system, followed by a restructuring into a sustainable system.
The following are a draft set of Principles for a Spiritual Economics that can lead us in that direction:
© 2009 Gordon Davidson
When confusion and illusion reign, the spiritual approach is to cut through the Gordian knot by enunciating clear principles that offer us torch lights on our pathway out of the swamp of fear, anger and confusion. Once this is fully understood by political and business leaders, and some principles for a new, spiritually based economy are widely enunciated, we will enter a period of re-designing our economic system, followed by a restructuring into a sustainable system.
The following are a draft set of Principles for a Spiritual Economics that can lead us in that direction:
- Sustaining, nurturing and protecting the living planet and all life within it, including humans, is the core principle for a new spiritual economic system.
- Everyone on the Earth has a right to a healthy existence. This means any economic system should be designed to provide everyone with the basics of food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care.
- Everyone has the right to earn their livelihood by contributing their gift to the whole. The spiritual and economic flourishing of any society is based on the true contributions of each individual being welcomed, rewarded and integrated into the whole.
- Those with greater gifts need to dedicate themselves to helping others develop their talents and gifts. The encouragement and support for developing the unique contributions of each individual is a central purpose of a spiritual economy.
- The health and well-being of the entire system is essential to the health and well-being of each individual. The individual and the whole are linked in a interdependent relationship of reciprocal mutuality. The whole provides a place in the web of living relationships that supports the well-being of the individual, and an individual's contribution enhances the whole.
- All systems will self-correct if the underlying Life is free to circulate and reorganize itself. Rigid systems blocking circulation for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many cannot be sustained. Once blockages are removed, life will self organize into new, more open and free-flowing systems, providing full circulation to all parts of the whole.
- Goods and services imbued with spiritual intent and quality will be in greater demand in a spiritual economy. With an increasing spiritual awakening, the spiritual essence within and around particular goods and services will be perceived and valued.