“The Varieties of Political Experience: The Health Freedom Activist Community Brings the Hammer Down”

Originally published on Substack

We do not often characterize politics as spiritual activity. Many if not most people associate it with problematic power struggles and necessary evils — the supposed opposite of spirituality. And yet, if we define spiritual activity as the effect of “immaterial” ideas and morals on the material plane of human beings, plants, animals, and minerals, politics can be seen as spiritual activity with immediate physical consequences. And if spirit matters, it’s hard to argue that politics — the domain of human endeavor wherein such spiritual activity has perhaps the most immediate and pervasive consequences — is not worthy of study…and action.

The Varieties of Religious Experience, A Study in Human Nature is the name of one of those books that catch my attention on the shelf, but which I have not taken the time to read. Perhaps that’s because the other material I have read by the well-known American psychologist and philosopher William James was not particularly inspiring.

But I cite its charming title because today there is a very wide variety of religious experience… especially as far as politics goes. The health, freedom, and peace community have made sure I am aware of that fact. It was something I first thought about a long time ago when I got tired of watching peace activists fight or stop talking to each other because they disagreed about which way to stop war was “the only best way.”

How easily we are divided and conquered.

It was probably then that I first encountered the challenging phrase “We get the government we deserve.” All that said, the Moon’s recent total eclipse of the Sun had the welcome effect of making “all things new…” So let’s see. What next?

Although “spiritual” and “material” people both recognize that ideas (or spirits) have consequences, we rarely agree on which ideas in action have which consequences, and – of particular relevance today – which ideas in action will change the consequences for the better, something which also remains to be agreed.

In politics, it is not only ideas that matter, but personalities, which for simplicity’s sake I will suggest are also composites of interlocking ideas, desires, and materials. Ultimately all is one, so the dichotomy, or separation of material and immaterial is perhaps unnecessary. However, as we seek to overcome obstacles to shared understandings that can lead to shared goals and shared success, perhaps this sketch of an unfinished map may be…stimulating…?

While we often agree there are problems in the world, we less often agree on how to solve them. Sometimes we don’t even agree on whether or not they are solvable, or that they need to be solved. There is an argument – explicit or implicit in certain types of inactivity – that karma is hardly changeable, and then rarely outside of one’s own person, and perhaps those closest to us in…spirit?

I feel differently. I feel like all is possible, that karma too is alive, and “bends towards” the improvement of the world, and that lively debate, sensitive listening, and rigorous assessment on the merits can produce these key ingredients of success:

1. The feeling of joyful camaraderie — a shared effort to discern healthy balance — and the union of holiness and fertility called romance.
2. Some agreement, actionable and on principle regarding what our challenge is and how to meet it.

If we accurately define how to meet the challenge, we can meet it successfully. No? If we fail, then by definition we did not accurately define how to meet the challenge and/or act adequately upon it. So we reassess, practice a new approach, and begin again, lessons learned.

It is not useful, nor am I calling for us to strive towards perfect unity of form or motivation. Life is diverse, and we all have different strengths and weaknesses, timing, and capacities. We need to play both our strengths and our positions to realize the best outcome for self, other, and whole. But we may benefit from working — and training — as a team.

I can often see it — sometimes clearly, sometimes dimly — but it fills me to bursting these days: a kind of unity of purpose towards which all best efforts can reasonably be aimed — one born of love, enthusiasm and practice — where we can stitch diverse efforts into the fabric of a shared success, each thread of the material independently strong — and woven together…in spirit.

Columbia County Ballot Access Kickoff Party

RFK Jr needs our help to get on the ballot in NY state.

We need volunteers who can help us to get signatures. It’s easy, fun, and doesn’t have to take much time. If you are willing to get even 10 or 20 signatures from neighbors, friends, and strangers.

It’s a great way to meet new freedom-oriented and awake people!

PLEASE come to the Ballot Access Launch Party.

April 17,  5- 630

OR

April 20, 4 to 5 30

119 Fern Hill Rd, Ghent NY ( across from white house with porch)

There will be a brief ballot access training (15 minutes) so please be on time.

You will each get ballot signature pages with instructions.

Invite others who are willing to help.

Feel free to call us if you have any questions.

Best from Wendy, Gayla, Leland

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Also, the Team Kennedy New York State ballot access kickoff party is coming up April 16th with Charles Eisenstein. Register here. Information below:

Join Charles Eisenstein and Support Robert F Kennedy Jr. at the Hudson Valley Signature Drive Kickoff Event, at Senate Garage in Kingston NY.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Director of Messaging and speechwriter, Charles Eisenstein, is coming to New York to kick off our ballot signature campaign. This high-energy event will convene volunteers, supporters, and the Kennedy-curious.

Please join us for Volunteer Training at 5:00 pm followed by a presentation with Charles Eisenstein at 7:30 pm.

4:30pm – Volunteer Arrival

5:00pm – 6:00pm – Volunteer Training – Receive training and materials for collecting signatures to get RFK Jr on the ballot in NY!

6:30pm – Doors open – Be the first in New York to sign the petition to get Bobby on the ballot

7:30pm – “The America that almost was, and yet may be,” with Charles Eisenstein

In this presentation, Charles Eisenstein will map out the recovery of the timeline toward peace and liberation that was cut short in the 1960s, and connect it to the Presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The nation is at a crossroads.

Please join us for this unforgettable event. For those who are financially able, tickets are available with a campaign contribution of $24. For those who are unable to contribute due to the state of our economy, you can register for free.