Exploring the framework for a “Balanced Development” model
Ramses
Rashidi
©2008
Center for Balanced Development (www.cbdus.org)
In the last article we talked briefly about human relations and the education
system in a balanced development model. Here, we are going to examine some of
the other major features of the age of maturity and the approaching spiritual
civilization.
The Popular Concept of Work and Career
Because of the way we are educated in society and due to the limited scope and
resources of the current models of education, most children are not aware of
what their talents are and where to focus their energies. Basically all children
study the same subjects during the initial 11 or 12 years of schooling, and as a
society we do not pay much attention to children in terms of interaction and
getting them involved with their community or their world. Parents also normally
take a protective stance by trying to keep their children in a cocoon and away
from the crazy criminals that are out there. Meanwhile, the media keeps blasting
us with materialism and suggestions about what it means to be successful. So
coming out of the void and confusion of the childhood years and entering
college, where we are faced with the critical decision of choosing a field of
study and finding a career, most of us are totally clueless. Usually, we end up
studying something that is proven to be financially rewarding and would
guarantee a secure future. The most popular plan seems to be entering one of the
better schools of higher education and getting a degree that would seal our
chances for “success”. Here, the top choices are clear. Since health problems
are rampant, therefore, the medical and pharmaceutical industries are where you
can make good money. Conflict is a fact of life; so getting a law degree is a
good career move. Technology is popular and consumption is on the rise; so
jumping on the manufacturing and production band wagon could be very lucrative.
The picture that we get, from this chaotic global race for success, is that we
are primarily individuals that need to think of ourselves and how to “get
ahead”. Meanwhile, since we are
living among other people who are buying our products and services, we are
willing to tolerate them or develop relations if there is something in it for
us. Does this sound familiar? That’s right. Welcome to the “rat race”!…Where
once you enter, you’re in for life…Where you put in 30 years to pay the bills
and then you retire, and if you’re lucky, you get to do nothing or do what you
always wanted to do depending on your health and vitality. I don’t know about
the rest of you, but this picture does not sound very appealing to me. It seems
like we pay a very high price for focusing on self and individualism. Here,
you’re probably asking; “What’s the alternative?”
Of course there are those of us that choose a reactionary approach and take
steps to remedy a crisis like the environment, domestic violence or poverty. But
the root causes of our way of life stay pretty much intact. Our basic
assumptions and values that are often shaped by our perception of reality are
not going to change overnight. So, how do we address the flaws in the system of
nurturing human potential and contributing to the advancement of civilization?
Where do we draw the line between individual freedom and social responsibility?
What changes do we need to initiate in our way of life to have more a united
global community”?
Work and Society
To begin with, let’s start by looking at the foundation and the way we prepare
our children to enter the social arena. Learning and contributing or, in other
words, education and work should be a lifetime process. It does not begin at a
certain age or end at 65. Whether we are helping with the daily chores of
cleaning our room or we are acting as the president of a large corporation, work
is our contribution to our family, community and the greater body of humanity.
It’s an opportunity to serve the needs of society. We realize that we are part
of a greater picture and that our humble contribution helps create a better
world for all, and as a result we become the recipient and beneficiaries of our
own and others’ actions. As building blocks for the future, we focus on the
spiritual education of children and make them an active partner in our
consultations. In action, we become participants in the education system and
share our life experience and know-how with the new generation. In effect, we
train them to carry the torch onto the next stage of human evolution while
focusing on their talents. As trustees of this planet, we become sensitive to
the effects of our work and lifestyle on our natural resources and environment,
while we take measures to reduce consumption and waste. As enlightened mature
individuals, we realize that work is not only for our personal gain, but it’s
primarily to help humanity achieve higher levels of consciousness, integration
and unity. We become aware that what we do is meant to alleviate the hardships
of our global community and that we cannot bear to see a member of that body in
distress. To sum it all up, we agree that work is about service and contribution
to society.
The Need for Moving Towards Balance
The concept of work in a balanced development model is holistic in its essence.
Therefore we need to take initiatives in several areas to raise the possibility
for the success of the model. This
means making changes in the economic model of supply and demand to include
measures to protect our environment, nurture human potential and build
relations. It stands for a departure from simplistic ways of dealing with the
economy and society in the form of capitalism and socialism. It calls for
changes in the market concept and speculations. It requires stability and peace
so that individuals can prosper while making contributions to society. It
suggests that as public institutions, private entities and individuals we share
the responsibility to give all members of society equal opportunity to reach
their potential. It signifies that work is an opportunity to grow spiritually by
building good relations with our co-workers and creating an atmosphere of
harmony at the workplace. It indicates that work should nurture the balance
between our creative and logical mind as well as our physical health. It implies
that our work is intimately related to other industries and the various aspects
of life, and that any effort to harmonize the development process would
ultimately benefit society and creates a more harmonious environment. It means
that our contribution will benefit future generations.
In the next article (part 3) we will further examine the issues of health,
happiness and the environment as some of the other main features of the age of
human maturity and the approaching spiritual civilization.
Ramses
Rashidi (ramses@cbdus.org)
is the founder and director of Center for Balanced Development.
The
center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and
services that foster global balance in social, personal, ecological and economic
development.