Studying the collective lessons and symbolism in events and crises. Current events can be a rich source of collective learning if we re willing to explore the spiritual lessons being offered through shared national experiences. We can interpret events as symbolic of the inner forces at work and explore their hidden causes in consciousness. For example, the O.J. Simpson trial in the U.S. was a type of nationally televised psychotherapy on the issues of domestic violence, hero worship, racism, the power of the media, and the dysfunctional criminal justice system. Collective disasters provide major opportunities for learning compassion for the victims, as well as for learning the karmic consequences of some of our actions.
Every major religion teaches about the laws of cause and effect.
When the Mississippi River flooded major portions of the U.S. several years ago, for example, sewage dumped in its tributaries backed up and returned to the towns that had dumped it. In a spiritual approach to politics, one does not look for others to blame, but rather takes responsibility for one s own thoughts and actions. Using prayer and meditation to invoke spiritual help for our leaders, for public policies, and for crisis situations. A spiritual approach to politics recognizes that we do not have to struggle with our problems alone. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt had a vision of Mohammed who told him to create peace in the Middle East and this caused him to negotiate the Camp David Accords.