Upholding our Shared Humanity

March 12, 2024

Upholding our shared humanity and bridging existing divides requires ongoing effort, patience, and commitment from individuals, communities, and institutions. By undertaking such endeavors, we contribute to the working out of the universal ideas of the Plan, which takes place as humanity responds to higher impressions of the wholeness and sacredness of life and strives to intelligently embody these insights in all areas of thought, activity and relationship – namely economic, political, educational, legal, psychological, religious and so on This in turn, enables an environment which embraces our shared humanity, both individually and collectively, to foster understanding and promote collaboration to work towards a more united and inclusive world – a world where everyone feels accepted, valued, connected, and supported in pursuit of their self-chosen contribution to the whole.

“The point to be grasped is that through humanity on the physical plane, the nature of reality will be revealed; the true and the beautiful will be manifested; the divine plan will eventually work out, and that energy be transmitted to all forms in nature which will enable the inner spiritual reality to emerge.”

More...

Exploring wisdom as a source of sustainable relationships

December 14, 2023

Dermot Carroll, a World Goodwill co-worker from Ireland, recently delivered this paper to an international conference held at the Secondary School at the Biotechnical Centre, Naklo in Slovenia, ‘Respecting the Future: Ways of Inspiring the Youth for Sustainable Mutual Relationships’. He writes that the paper was “partly inspired by John Fullerton’s talk” on Regenerative Economics at the 2022 World Goodwill Seminar.
 

“Smart people sometimes act unwisely” So says Tobin Hart in his essay Education for Wisdom. Over many decades humans have accumulated a vast amount of knowledge, which we have used to develop extraordinary technologies in every conceivable area, most of which has significantly enhanced our quality of life. But it seems also that this accumulated knowledge has cut us off from the natural ecosystems that we are truly dependent upon. Humans’ relationship with the natural world has become distorted. This is especially evident in our economic system which runs contrary to the laws of the natural world. The growing threats from the climate crises are demonstrating the extent of our fragility as well as our ultimate dependence on the nature. The great challenge and opportunity for educators today is to develop a culture of wisdom that can inspire humans to a better understanding of our place within the natural system. This paper suggests that a complex problem such as climate change can only be addressed through a change in consciousness. It outlines how a combination of knowledge and wisdom is required to heal our economic relationships, our relationships with each other, and with our ecosystem.

More...

A Self-luminous Sun

November 15, 2023

We are living in a time of great forward motion for the human race. Over the last 50 years or so, there has been a noticeable swing toward a “more right” way of living on this planet. Hundreds, if not thousands of groups have sprung up in support of this vision, focusing on various forms of right human relations. These groups range from environmental strongholds where the wellbeing of the earth in relation to humanity takes center stage, to groups focused on using the power of the mind to enhance the ideas of men and women of goodwill.

Occasionally, specific individuals seem to be tasked with carrying the torch forward on behalf of the many. One of these individuals who has gently, but with unmatched devotion, inserted herself into the global consciousness, is Mata Amritanandamayi – or as she is known around the world – Amma.

More...

Global Citizenship Education: The Spirit of Goodwill in Minority-Majority Relations

October 20, 2023

The necessity of resolving the longstanding (often ancient) tension between racial and national groups across the world has never been greater than the present. The hatred, mistrust, and prejudice which exists between races and nations impede humanity’s forward march into the coming era.

More...

Reflections on the SDG Summit and the 2023 High Level Week at the UN

October 8, 2023

Every year, when a new session of the General Assembly opens in September, the UN becomes a focus of global attention as Heads of State stand before the world body to declare their government’s perspective on current issues.

This year’s high-level events began with the all-important SDG Summit – an attempt to generate political leadership from governments to “recharge momentum” and “accelerate actions” designed to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The need is great as the promise and hope embodied in the Goals is “in deep peril.“ After some progress in the early years of the Goals, multiple global crises have reversed progress in key areas and today only 15% of the Goals’ targets are on track to be achieved by 2030.

More...
swipe left and right to navigate