The demonstrating in Wisconsin—and the likelihood of the same in other states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania—is brought to us by our societal system of orientation.

While we may have different opinions about the situation we face, there can be little disagreement that reality presents us with circumstances that tests the validity of our beliefs—our system of orientation—that underlie how we make sense of and bring order to our world.  What is not realized is the beliefs we use to create order is also cause of the mess with which we have to contend.  In other words our system of orientation is cause of our experiences—both good and bad.  Seen in this light, what we have is in deed an opportunity to learn and thus improve the system!

We assume perception provides unadulterated reality when in fact it is filtered by thought.  What we hold—knowingly or unknowingly—in our mind’s eye acts as a filter to what we perceive and how we interpret experience.  Thus the thoughts we hold do limit what we are able to perceive and understand, unless of course we have the courage to suspend what we believe in order to understand other perspectives.  We are not defined by our thoughts or beliefs. This is what enables one to perceive the possibilities that lie beyond what is.  However if we allow the thoughts we hold to define us, then we are merely limiting the potential that lies within all of us.

To do otherwise would be an act of selflessness, a truly heroic act—yes the kind of behavior exhibited by statesmen/stateswomen but not politicians!

Contrary to what the ego-centered socio-economic system—yes our societal system of orientation—will have us believe, our individual lives are inextricably connected to our collective life.  Hence a focus on what’s in it for ‘Me’ (or an ‘Us’ in opposition to a ‘Them’) will inevitably destroy the ‘We’—which is comprised of all people.  Thus acting on what joins people, not what separates ‘Us’ from ‘Them’, is the better way.

The question then is are those in authority approaching these circumstances as opportunity or threat?  That is to say, do those in authority have the will to learn or the will to hold onto (their) belief? If the latter, then the recognition of the errors in our beliefs will not occur until it is experienced at the extreme.  But it may then be too late!