November 1996
Numerous authors in recent history have attempted to bring the Ageless Wisdom philosophy to the public’s attention: Alice Bailey, Annie Besant, Vera Stanley Alder, Benjamin Creme, Torkom Saraydarian and others. One such contemporary book is Spiritual Politics, by Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson.
Drawing upon their experience with various new age groups and philosophies, including Findhorn and the Lucis Trust, as well as their understanding of the Ageless Wisdom, and participation in political and economic groups, McLaughlin and Davidson have put together an analysis of the world’s political and economic problems, with suggested solutions, based on the Ageless Wisdom philosophy.
Spiritual Politics is divided into five sections: ‘The Book of Life’, ‘Evolutionary Governance’, ‘The Hidden Causes of World Events’, ‘The Divine Hand Behind Human Affairs’, and ‘Creating a New World Order.’
Groundwork for the book is laid in ‘The Book of Life’. Key concepts are examined which assist the reader’s understanding in later sections: the Ageless Wisdom throughout history, Ageless Wisdom principles — detachment, the soul, initiation; energy and thought; and the recognition that a divine purpose exists behind human affairs.
The second section, ‘Evolutionary Governance’, is an examination of the new wave in political relationships called transformational politics. It is based on two main ideas.
First, “the personal is political and the political is personal.” Politics is a collective manifestation of the sum of its parts. If we want to change the whole, we have to change the parts.
Secondly, we are called to move beyond narrow and separatist viewpoints, where polarities are emphasized, to view people and events in relationship to each other. This basic principle of the Ageless Wisdom views all people as interconnected.
In the third section, ‘The Hidden Causes of World Events’, the authors examine the underlying causes of global problems. Such causes range from mental ones — polarized/separative thinking, to emotional — fear and greed, to etheric causes — chakra imbalances, and the effects of karma.
In the first three sections of Spiritual Politics the authors examine human causes of world events. In ‘The Divine Hand Behind Human Affairs’ they look at causes which are transhuman. Discussion is given over in part to Hierarchical influence and the manner and methods by which the Hierarchy effect changes in the world. Other influences mentioned include Shamballa, devas, forces of darkness, the seven rays, and astrological correlations.
In the final section of the book, ‘Creating a New Planetary Order’, McLaughlin and Davidson seek to integrate the theory and philosophy of the earlier sections into a proposal for a new political and economic order. Those who have studied the Ageless Wisdom teachings know that meditation is only one aspect of the spiritual path. This section suggests opportunities for the other important aspect, service.
Spiritual Politics is a book for the beginner, one without a working knowledge of the Ageless Wisdom. It is quite effective as a workbook or guide for those seeking a path of service from a spiritual perspective.
A comparison
Spiritual Politics covers many of the topics discussed in Benjamin Creme’s books — The Reappearance of The Christ and The Masters of Wisdom and Maitreya’s Mission, Volumes One and Two. Similarities between the works abound. Differences exist, but they are more in detail and interpretation than general philosophy. In fact, there were so many similarities, I fully expected to see Creme’s books referenced in the notes or bibliography of Spiritual Politics. Strangely, extraordinarily, I did not.
Similarities between the authors’ viewpoints can be seen most clearly in the political and economic discussion. There are a number of examples which reflect this.
Generally speaking, their interpretations of the causes behind current problems are parallel, as are their suggestions for solutions. The authors concur that basic human needs must be met in order for the global crisis to improve. McLaughlin/Davidson speak in terms of a divine law: “The Law of Supply and Need says that resources should flow to help people provide for their own basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and health care.”
Creme says: “The number one priority will be the provision of adequate food for all the people; two, the provision of adequate housing for all the people; thirdly, the provision of adequate health care and education for all the people.” When these conditions are met, the stress and strain of living for millions of people will be alleviated. This will move the world towards stability in the political and economic fields.
Creme and McLaughlin/Davidson also have similar views on the international banking procedure whereby interest loans are made to developing countries.
The authors of Spiritual Politics say: “Major changes will have to take place in the structure of our global financial system. The practice of charging interest on the use of money was called usury in the Bible …. This financial system is especially devastating to poor countries, which try to drive up their rate of productivity and growth to meet the interest rate.”
Creme states: “… the year before last, $40 billion more went from the Third World to the developed world in repayment on loans than from the developed world to the Third World in new loans. It is nothing to do with aid. It is usury.”
Can economic disparity between the developed and developing world continue to exist? Both authors say no. Rich countries can no longer reap their bounty at the expense of the poor. The wellbeing of the developed world ultimately depends upon the wellbeing of the developing world. Towards that end the principle of sharing must be an integral part of economic affairs.
Benjamin Creme has said, since the early days of his public work, that sharing is the only hope for our deeply divided world. “If we accept the principle of sharing … and redistribute the world’s resources … we will have peace. It is the only way in which we will have secure and lasting peace.”
The authors of Spiritual Politics speak of sharing in terms of circulation and stewardship. “The key to right circulation is sharing. By sharing, concentrations of resources become beneficial to more people than just those who hold the assets … Guidelines for the stewardship of the planet’s resources are necessary … must balance the individual’s need for incentives with the need of the whole to receive a portion of the wealth.”
But it is not clear that the authors agree upon the urgency of the political and economic crisis, as seen in the following quotes.
In Spiritual Politics one reads: “Despite our concerns, the universe is unfolding in perfect timing … As more and more individuals around the planet awaken the fire within their hearts, the positive, loving energy field around the planet is strengthened.”
Benjamin Creme states: “Those of us now in incarnation have an extraordinary responsibility … We have to solve the problems of today and the immediate future, to decide for all time whether or not the human race will continue — to make the choice for justice, sharing, right relationships, and peace, or to destroy all life.”
Although other differences between the authors can be found, the key one lies in their ideas regarding the reappearance of the Christ and Masters of Wisdom. Benjamin Creme and McLaughlin/Davidson agree that the Masters of Wisdom exist and do return to the everyday world from time to time.
McLaughlin and Davidson offer a generalized discussion: “The World Teacher will come as a recognition of potency in leadership, through dynamic but logical changes in world affairs and through action taken by the masses of people from the depths of their own consciousness.”
The cornerstone of Creme’s entire work is that the reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom not only occurs periodically, but is happening now. “For the first time since Atlantean days the Hierarchy of Masters will work openly in the world, known to us for what they are. He, Maitreya, is a mighty Avatar, equal to His daunting task … to guide and inspire the building of the new civilization. He will be with us for the next 2,500 years.”
