December 2022
Why is utopian thinking so often met with scepticism? Our present political, economic and social systems are failing to address the growing inequality, the abject poverty in a world of plenty, climate change, migration, and depletion of the ecosystem. It is safe to say that utopian thinking is not just an idealistic fantasy but perhaps vital in redefining our future — a future that sparks feelings of positive anticipation, as opposed to the worrying and stressful reality portrayed by mainstream media. Utopian thinking is not science fiction either, which can be entertaining but very often just shows a dystopian continuation of present day monotony and raw ugliness, a materialistic world view in which human values and humanity’s moral development is far surpassed by technology — visions that bind us to an unsustainable and unliveable future.
In esoteric literature, many inspiring visions can be found of civilizations representing our highest values to help us visualize and think along more constructive lines. A comprehensive study was commissioned by the UN in 1980 which resulted in the visionary ‘Brandt Report’ with practical recommendations for global, long term stability. And yet, the neoliberal Dutch prime minister has said: “Vision is like an elephant blocking the view”, in other words, an obstacle to short-term profit. So again, why the continued scepticism, inertia and resistance to change that is so common?. …
Is it fear of change, or is it indifference?
There is the fear that change will mean deterioration — a deeply rooted fear of privation — and the fear of having to give up one’s privileges or freedom. A complacent and not-so-charitable attitude exists amongst the privileged, that “We are alright. Why should we care?” This raises two relevant questions to which the general public would need to have answers in order to move forward: Firstly, are these utopian visions beneficial for all people, including the economically privileged? And if so are they practically feasible?
Compelling insights can be found in the Ageless Wisdom Teachings (as well as forward-thinking policies such as presented in the Brandt report and seen in other socio-political experiments) that illustrate how a society that shares more equitably and co-operates becomes much more efficient, and how people feel much happier, more secure and have more leisure time without our present modes of hostile competition, confrontation, divisiveness and greed. For example, as discussed in: Operation survival Earth by Stephan Denaerde, Inside the Spaceships by George Adamski and From the Mundane to the Magnificent by Vera Stanley Alder (previously cited in Share International and authenticated by Benjamin Creme).
For those who are familiar with the Ageless Wisdom Teachings, the notion that the whole universe is full of life (and similar human life forms) and that we on Planet Earth are not the most advanced civilization, does not seem strange. If we look at descriptions of advanced civilizations, it is interesting that, although a society may be organized differently, the underlying morality, the human and spiritual values, are similar and apparently universal. A beautiful illustration of ‘unity in diversity’.
So called utopia is not a vague or mystical fantasy. A common definition is: ‘A place, state or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and social conditions.’ This does not mean all people are perfect (or ‘enlightened’), but that the system is; it sustains all life and creates the circumstances for people to grow spiritually, to expand their knowledge of the universe and the laws of life. It is not static. It accelerates the spiritual journey towards ‘perfection’, although as esotericists know, the evolution of consciousness has no end and perfection is therefore relative.
