What would a “good” moral or spiritual system look like on earth?
Q: I have been very eclectic lately and exploring many magic and spiritual systems, but none of them seem like they have the whole answer to fixing what is broken on our planet. What do you think a good moral or spiritual system would look like on earth? How would we recognize something we want to dedicate our lives to for the good of everyone?
A: We could go really in-depth with moral and ethical discussions as well as philosophy, but I’m going to try to keep this simple without being too reductive. I will just be addressing what needs to be done first on our planet. After the points below are addressed, the system can expand well beyond these elementary delineations. As for a magic system you want to dedicate your life to? That is subjective and I do not think I can answer that part! Below is a rudimentary answer for the general question about what a healthy system would be like on earth if we ever did discover (or employ) it though.
1. My friend William Mistele says that the first mark of advanced civilizations (aka discovering love and truth that benefits everyone whether it’s mobilized via a magic system or not) occurs when all wars on the planet are ended permanently. I agree. I don’t think this needs much elaboration as an idea, though how to do it is obviously the bigger conversation.
2. Every single human on the planet has their basic needs met. This means that every person has food, water, clothing, housing, and healthcare just as a start. There are no exceptions or excuses for this. This includes children in foster care, homeless people, and everyone who currently slips through the cracks. I am not going to get into the means of production or “work,” but care and love at this level are not contingent on what a person produces. Everyone is taken care of unconditionally. Hierarchy is gone, class systems are erased, and though difference is seen and appreciated, it is not placed on a vertical scale of “better than” or “lesser than.” It just is. In simple terms, getting into anticapitalism work and deconstructing the social structures we’re told to value as kids is a starting point. I enjoy the work(s) of Arruzza, Cinzia, and Battacharya (they wrote Feminism for the 99%: A Manifesto), Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, and Bell Hooks. (You mentioned things on our planet being broken and I know what you mean, but the saying goes that the systems aren’t really “broken.” They are functioning as designed. Therefore, the current systems cannot just be fixed. They must be replaced.)
3. Not just war, but all “crime” as we understand it ends on planet earth. All needs are met, so lower “games” such as corporate competition and domination are meaningless and no longer remotely interesting to anyone. In the rare instance that a large problem arises, it is seen, addressed lovingly, healed, and catalyzed to become something that better serves the “good” of all. (And of course, we as a collective will have to agree on these definitions of “good” and “beneficial.”) Furthermore, I do not think this system has to hold humans to a state of perfection because that is setting us up for failure. Major crime being eliminated does not mean that humans will not disagree at times or feel sadness, anger, or frustration. It means that when those feelings and interactions arise, we handle them in such a way that everyone feels seen, respected, and validated. Problems are resolved peacefully, even if there are elements of debate and disagreement within the resolution process. Some non-crime-related issues that may arise are popularity games, cliquishness, dismissing other people’s concerns about collective decisions, or typical day-to-day squabbles. I have no doubt that we can peacefully work through those challenges in the future. =)
4. Everyone has the ability and freedom to self-actualize. But it doesn’t stop there. Both self AND collective actualization are actively encouraged, facilitated, and supported by everyone. It isn’t just a side-gig. It is a way of life and is inseparable from the civilization’s experience on a small and large scale. Humans deserve to live, and in an evolved society, they have the time, resources, and energy to enjoy their “stay” on the planet.
5. The planet the civilization lives on is cared for, accounted for, and considered in all decisions. It does not always have to look like nature worship or even a deep emotional connection between the civilization and the planet, but there is immutable respect and love in place. The relationship between the inhabitants and the planet is as symbiotic as possible and all collective production and behaviors align with the idea that the planet has its own form of consciousness and deserves to be treated with dignity (at the least).
These are simple, but that’s the point. We are not currently (at least as a collective) solving these issues and abolishing the systems that keep them intact. Most of our problem-solving on planet earth will start in the physical and then work its way out. We cannot skip steps. When our spirituality and day-to-day choices reflect decisions that facilitate these outcomes, we know we are utilizing the most beneficial system. =)