One day God gave me a funny. He said, “Where two or more are gathered…. There shall be politics.” And you know, He is right! Because even amongst like-minded personalities there will be differences on any topic when you get into particulars. Now, my mother told me not to discuss politics or religion in polite company, “It does no good.” Well, that leaves what…. The weather? Even that is not a safe today with global warming such a hot topic!
People have differences, it is systemic to creation and God’s great diversity throughout nature. The word politics traces its history back to a book with that title written by Aristotle. After writing a book about ethics his narrative naturally wove into his next book on politics. The Greek word politikos became the English word Polettiques, and later politics—among its many shades of meaning is, “of, for, or relating to citizens.”
Politics has always had its contentious side. When Julius Caesar proclaimed himself dictator, Marcus Brutus made his political point with the end of a knife to divest his old friend and mentor of his monarchical powers. With the death of millions of innocents along with the perpetrators down through the years, we definitely know there are real-life consequences to politics. Today our airwaves are filled with raucous politics; sharp edges dueling and colliding with contrasting ideas and motivations. We are fortunate today that the majority of those sharp edges are words and not blades, guns or worse.
And how do politics and spiritual living go together? In a word, carefully. There are those who tie religion and politics closely together, saying that God is on their side and those who do not agree are evil. And others make political assertions with all the certitude of religious conviction; dissenters are seen as immoral. In both cases, anyone differing from the “party line” is beyond respectable. There are real life consequences to decisions made in the political arena, so it is easy to see why emotions can take over, and that is especially true when there is no respect for the God in another–seeing God in another even when he may be in error.
In the Mahabharata, the epic poem that includes an immense war, one of the warriors is asked, “Can you fight without anger?” This is an interesting question when the stakes are so high. He replies that he can, and only then is he allowed to enter into the fray. Inflamed emotions such as anger, greed, revenge, and fear can all lead to adharmic behavior that not only retards the progress of an individual, but all those his or her life touches. Therefore, those called to a political life are tested on their own unique battlefield and are called upon to act with the utmost integrity, to ever abide by their highest Light and for the greatest good of all.
And for those of us not directly on this battlefield, but interested participants in the body politic? We too must act in accordance with dharma. The very same emotions that sink a politician can be a black mark on a citizen. Explosive anger, fear and greed leaves its residue on any wayward devotee. Trust in God, compassion, and recognizing that good people can disagree, are ways to stay attuned to inward stillness and true wisdom. Master admonishes, “Wise men discuss, fools argue.” Of course, all may have clear, well-defined positions, many of us do, but keeping proper perspective is a must for spiritual balance.
Some choose to defer decisions to others and not get involved, but actively informed citizen-yogis help keep things on track. One does not need to watch every thrust and blow in hand-to-hand political combat, but to stay abreast of the evolving issues and tuning in to how God directs you on the issues is consistent with being a responsible citizen with the privilege to vote. This makes for a better, though many times imperfect system.
Devotees too have widely varying perspectives on issues. But even this can lead to wonderful results. Two dear devotees are an example of this. One devotee has been a long-term activist for worker rights and the downtrodden. Another is a leader of a police force near the Canadian/American border. There was to be a large protest at the border crossing. The policeman arrived at a planning meeting between law enforcement and the protest organizers. He was anxious about the coming protest, knowing that they can take ugly turns. When he walked into the meeting he recognized one of the organizers on the other side, a fellow kriyaban and activist-friend, he immediately relaxed and thought, “Everything is going to be ok.” And it was.
In God, every difference need not separate us in Spirit. Rather, you first find the unity operating beneath the great diversity of creation. As Jesus originally said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt 18:20) Being established in this unity, found in God-consciousness, allows for the unfoldment of harmonious differences. Each may hold firm opinions, yet there is a recognition it is all God’s play, and that God enjoys His play. God within you chooses your level of interest and involvement in the rough and tumble world of politics, but whatever He chooses for you, you are always mindful that this is theater; underneath it all we are all actors playing our parts. By not losing contact with God, you do not get lost in the play.