Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 22:14:47 +0100

To: ken-wilber-l@listserv.azstarnet.com

From: Thomas.Jordan@redcap.econ.gu.se (Thomas Jordan)

Subject: Readers Digest presents:

Readers Digest presents:

Cesare Pellas post "Re: Intentionality/Unattachment" in executive summary form:

Violence arises because we are so overwhelmingly interrelated that we don't always succeed in handling our relationships in a beneficial way. Democracy is difficult: "it is far more difficult to manage any interactive situation through cooperation, and ultimately consensus, than through from-the-top-down directional approaches." Even though it is difficult, we have on an increasing scale tried to manage our interrelationship through democratic interactions. Some tribal societies have offered a good quality of life for its member, but these conditions were possible because of the simplicity of their social structure. Our society is infinitely more complex, and the challenge to create reasonably nice circumstances is therefore far greater.

It hasn't been easy to be an "enlightened reformist" in the course of history. Conformist mentalities and real threats of violence from external enemies reduced the opportunities for a positive transformation. The Internet opens new opportunities for people of good will to connect to each other on a global scale and device practical solutions to various problems. The possibility of linking diversified experiences from various parts of the world increases our ability to handle opposing adversarialism in creative ways.

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This is a service for those of our readers who don't have time to read the original masterpiece.

Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 12:51:18 +0100

To: ken-wilber-l@listserv.azstarnet.com

From: Thomas.Jordan@redcap.econ.gu.se (Thomas Jordan)

Subject: Readers Digest presents:

Readers Digest presents:

Cesare Pellas post "Re: Maybe Thich Nhat Hanh wasn't quite all that wrong, Mickey!" in executive summary form:

Progress is being made not only in the higher spiritual realms, but everywhere, in slums, sweatshops, etc. The key problem is entropy: there is a lot of energy, but it is not available to us for constructive uses. The ystem we are parts of is enormously complex. We are part of it and shape it as we are carried forth by it. As we try to navigate in this web of interrelationships we face apparently unsurmountable odds: the complexity baffels us.

We have two tasks: #1 to satisfy our physiological needs in order to survive, and #2 to find the meaning of our being here. The more successful we are in resolving task #1 in a balanced way, the more we free time and energy to devote ourselves to task#2. Culture is created as a joint venture in satisfying needs #1, and the setting for exploring task #2. There are lots of historical examples of societies that reached a fair degree of balance in satisfying needs #1 and #2, but they usually came to an end when problems developed in access to resources for satisfying needs #1, or when neighours who were not able to satisfy their needs #1 and #2 in a balanced way interfered. Violence is not a result of ill-wil, but of difficulties in satisfying needs. In our post-industrial societies we struggle most with #2. This task is not easy. The contemorary world is huge, complex and difficult to decipher. We find ourselves making a lot of choices about our lives we are not really happy with. But that is our existential condition. I have met inmates of psychiatric institutions with gruesomepersonal biographies. But I didn't see any monsters, only terribly overchallenged human beings like myself. Why do we continue arguing about non-intrusive communication and respect? Because we need to, because understanding and progress come in steps, through gradual inference and illumination. It is important to me to point out the voices of those who suffer. There are no enemies, no evil in the world, only beings competing for significant survival. The violence they create results from this effort, but it is an increasingly intelligent effort: conflict produces not only violence, but also learning. We are still defensive about our interpretations because of the immense challenge of making sense. This challenge is not primarily about task #1, but about mental integrity and survival. Let us have mercy of one another, and set our inner computer on default mode or interpreting whatever comes from another being as a manifestation of this beings attempt to relate in a significant way. Our task is to use our tools to generate interactive conditions that will allow us to engage in the next communicative episode from a more balanced and respectful context: clearer communication, deeper understanding, further advancement. As we talk here with full tummies, let us listen to those who are less fortunate, learn from their predicaments, so we can act to create conditions that will allow them too to proceed to better, more fulfilling life conditions. Charles Bensinger proposed establishing an "International Bioregional Bank" to finance development projects all around the world. That is my game, that protects my interest, because as long as there are destitute persons in the world, my security is in danger. Who is prepared to give the International Bioregional Bank, or similar projects, a chance, on a global scale so that there are no more "outside" systems that can come in and destroy our cozy little world? The Internet is an unprecedented, historical, re-evolutionary opportunity, because these projects can spread directly from person to person internationally through personal acquaintances. And if those in power don't have a listening ear for the cries of the destitute, let us respectfully and lovingly and enlighteningly kick their ass until their brain sinks into their heart and they finally start to connect [Cesare! you're incredible!].

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This is a service for those of our readers who don't have time to read the original masterpiece.