Democracy is expanding like the universe it self: not as something finished, but as a sacred invitation that asks each of us to make democracy personal and meet society’s struggles with indomitable spirit.
In dark times look for the light. Heavy torrents of greed, injustice, fear and corruption cannot rip away democracy’s roots and its promise for humankind.
Democracy is a gift to the soul. Can we break through the current state of consciousness and move toward a transformed notion of ourselves and of democracy? What an extraordinary time to be alive when it is imperative to connect the concept of democracy with our own soul!
I believe that the promise of democracy offers open space for each person’s divine purpose and identity to arise in consciousness. At its heart, democracy provides freedom for endless possibilities, introspection, transformation, creativity. I believe that democracy is forever coming into being…not a having but a being, a daily doing, a becoming.
We are the creatures on planet Earth given the responsibility to use our people power to live responsibly and find ways to live in mutual benefit with our earth home.
Even if we feel crushed by the demolition of cherished principles, we can choose to hold fast to the values that give our lives purpose and meaning and look for the sparks of light within one another that democracy invites into action.
My search for inner democracy has been emboldened by the words of champions of democracy throughout history. Their voices remind us that democracy is not only a system of government, but a flame the burns in our hearts, a shared responsibility. Let’s look for people everywhere who are living the principles of democracy in myriad ways and let us use this dark time to believe in and courageously claim democracy’s emerging light.
From John Lewis, former US Congressman and civil rights leader
“I believe that the true destiny of humankind is to recollect that it is light and learn how to abide in infinite awareness of the divine in all matters of human affairs.”
“The true mission of our work in government and through community action is to help free humanity to follow this high calling. That is, in essence what the Founders of this nation wrote within the heart of the Constitution, that government must not impede the divine right of human beings to be guided by the whisperings of their own souls, to seek the path that magnifies, actualizes and incarnates the beauty of their individual flames.”
Lewis gives democracy a spiritual horizon: government’s responsibility is to protect the inner light and dignity of every person.
From MP Follett, political scientist and visionary of democracy
“We are co-workers with every process of creation. Our function is as important as the power that keeps the stars in their orbits.”
“Through my humblest duties I am creating the soul of this great democracy.”
“We need a new faith in humanity, not a sentimental faith or a theological tenet or a philosophical conception but an active faith in that creative power of [humanity] which shall shape government and industry, and which shall give equally to our daily life with our neighbor…”
Follett reminds us that democracy is made through humble, ordinary cooperation with others and abiding faith in the creative power of people.
From Heather Cox Richardson, historian
He [Lincoln] piloted the country through the Civil War, preserving the concept of American democracy. It was a system that had never been fully realized but that he still saw as “the last, best hope of earth” to prove that people could govern themselves.
Lincoln believed in the goodness in people in each generation to prevail as they struggle to govern themselves and make real the hope of democracy.
From Walt Whitman, poet
Belief I sing – and Preparation; As Life and Nature are not great with reference to the Present only, but greater still from what is to come. Out of the formula for Thee I sing.
Whitman’s exultation proclaims his belief that we are part of the expanding story of the universe, who we are becoming matters as we take our place as co-creators in democracy’s emerging light.