Division or Connection: what will be our legacy for future generations?
Unity with diversity
I heard an inspiring podcast by Australia reMade with Sophie Howe, the world’s first-ever Future Generations Commissioner in Wales - now retired. You can hear the podcast on www.australiaremade.org. It was about shifting from short-term thinking toward the social and economic conditions that could better serve the common good of future generations.
Social, economic . . . and spiritual
As I listened to the podcast, I realised that spiritual conditions are also important to reconsider in the light of future generations. Spirituality encompasses our inner world, both at the personal and cultural dimensions. This post relates to the cultural dimension. Why is a cultural inner change required at this time? Because our collective identity is characterised by a set of deeply held assumptions including domination, separation, and individualism. This identity has generated an us VS them mindset fostering a competitive divisiveness in the way we relate to each other. Public discourse and social media persist in deepening this division. Yet, we all know a divided society eventually falls. Is this the legacy we want to pass down to future generations?
Beyond division - unity with diversity
In contrast to competitive division is the spiritual endeavour of lifting our collective gaze toward a new set of assumptions including interconnectedness, participation, and cooperation. This new set of assumptions will foster deep connection rather than division. But how can we undertake this deep inner change? The principle of unity with diversity lights the way. Unity with diversity goes beyond tolerance of difference, to welcoming and even requiring difference for the flourishing of the wider culture. It is, however, complex and messy. Our notions of truth are challenged, as is our cultural identity of individualism. Yet, rather than perpetuating division, unity with diversity encourages us to a more complex, dynamic, creative, and interconnected way of living in our world, while retaining personal authenticity. What a remarkable foundation to lay for future generations.
A new way of relating to one another
Bringing people together through unity with diversity will transform public discourse and social media from being divisive to fostering mutual understanding. Mutual understanding transcends the pooling of various ideals, opinions, and beliefs. It seeks to understand different perspectives. Each perspective is heard and thoughtfully responded to, rather than reacted to impulsively. Mutual understanding enables us to attune to one another while retaining personal authenticity. Attunement refers to the process of becoming harmonious or in sync with someone or something. It involves developing a deeper understanding and connection, allowing for improved communication and interaction. Attunement fosters an environment of trust. Trust breaks through defensiveness and creates space for new and creative options to emerge.
For more on conversation as a spiritual practice see my web page page Contemplative Practices/Conversation as a spiritual practice
For personal reflecion
2024 is drawing to a close and we will soon be turning our thoughts toward 2025. Instead of seeking a New Year’s resolution that is soon forgotten, we could turn our attention to exploring how the principle of unity with diversity can take shape in our own lives, allowing our discoveries to draw us toward interconnection in all areas of our lives while retaining personal authenticity.
May your Christmas and New Year be filled with connection, celebration, contemplation, and a child-like lightness of being.
