MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
A VANISHING PARADISE ON EARTH AND THE NEW ATLANTIS
Our planet is a minuscule part of the infinite reality of the Cosmos. All aspects, physical, metaphysical, biological, psychic, psycho-social, ecological and spiritual are seamlessly interconnected, as part of an inseparable whole. They are in a state of constant interaction and in the process of evolutionary expansion, are constantly self-correcting and reintegrating to sustain the harmony, continuity and creativity of the natural order.
The Newtonian-Cartesian separation of the body and mind, of the physical from the metaphysical and the fragmentation of the natural and human processes leading to the aggressive promotion of a consumerist paradigm structured on a narrow, unilateral financial control architecture has engulfed human society and its ecosphere in a multidimentional crisis. A crisis of violence, terrorism, mass deprivation, selective enrichment, deculturisation and environmental imbalances and disruptions. The scale and speed of extensive, horizontal development, has placed all processes in a state of disconnect and imbalance; and its increasing reach through widespread globalisation, is not only disrupting the human psyche and sensitivity, but posing a grave threat to the peace, security and stability of the human order. Without a parallel intensive or inner development, even “band-aid” solutions are becoming problems themselves. As the Upnishads say, “The solution to problems can only be found at consciousness levels higher than where the problems rest”.
The urge to dominate, stimulates destructive “solutions” such as increasing the lethality of weapons of mass destruction to destroy competitive economies or rising nations by targeting their vulnerable points. The centres of the greatest human power have also become the engines of the global crisis. An interconnected planetary system also carries within it the self-destructive potential for those who disturb its orderliness. These destructive forces of chaos have not only overtaken the economic and security parameters, but also shattered the ethical, moral order which sustains the life support system.
The inability to see the holistic picture while pursuing hegemonic policies through economic and military globalisation has led to the fragmented and uneven evolution of peoples and countries. The struggle for space among the contradictory elements within the global society, while increasing their interaction, is exponentially widening the imbalances and chaos. The feedback mechanism, which normally corrects and absorbs the imbalances within the system, has ceased to respond to natural impulses.
All self-corrective human attributes are being checkmated and the vectors of human development and evolution are in state of disarray. The deconstructed fragments of culture are overwhelmed by the conflict of globalising materialism, under armed protection, with spirituality subverted by fundamentalist forces. The victims are the people at large, increasingly undergoing deprivation, violence and terrorism at the hands of the financial powers. Attempts are being made to control or systematically disrupt civilised dialogue that seeks to reconnect the disjointed fragments into orderly and holistic images of the human future.
This issue of the journal assembles statesmen, government servants and scholars who outline their approaches and concerns on the various aspects of the human condition today and how the challenges should be addressed. Some of the topics are globalisation and its effects, the conflict about values, the current situation in the USA, exopolitics, science and technology and how business corporations may change their moral and ethical orientation. These are all facets of the crisis of civilisation, in which people today are not only fragmented and isolated but ultimately neglected and sacrificed.
We need to create a civilisation where we can all realise our highest potential, material, mental, supramental and spiritual. That is the true meaning and purpose of life.
New Delhi JC KAPUR
Summer 2008