Political partisanship and "collective karma"?

[Arthur E Gregory]

Since I'm fairly new on this forum I don't know if this has been discussed before so I decided to just throw it out here...!

I would say for myself that I believe in being informed.. so I might attend a program that informs people about various positions politically or I might discuss various issues but where I draw the line is on partisanship.

My own experience tells me that when we become partisans we're locked in to one approach that is usually controlled by someone else..through the necessity to "act" collectively and there's a cost I think to that..

I think there could be something I would call a collective group "karma", so if you align yourself in a partisan way with a political group you are also buying into an extent what that group does and has done to be where they are..

There can be a lot of noble goals or objectives to a political group that are attractive

but sometimes there are less well known factors that have shaped a political organization and that's where I believe you can be affected even without being particularly aware of it.

You could also become involved in actions that normally you wouldn't involve yourself if you were more independent in thought

or you might have your own principles compromised.

[Dan Noga]

It sounds to me like what you're describing can fall under the heading of something known as an "egregore." Here's a good explanation of the concept that I found in a Google search:

http://salemos.tripod.com/index-50.html

There are many different angles from which to view the phenomenon: Viewing it as some sort of karmic bind, and as a "group soul" were both mentioned already--the "egregore" angle looks at it as a massive thought form. Although the above essay focuses on the egregore as it relates to mystical fraternities, political partisanship is a great example. Other examples include corporations, brands, etc.

A good example is "PC Partisanship"...in other words, the idea that there are "Mac" people and then there are "IBM" people. Apple or Microsoft. Windows or OS (nevermind Linux). Many people are extremely loyal to one or the other brand.

Sports teams come to mind as well.

[Arthur E Gregory]

Thanks for your post Dan..

There's also an article at wikipedia at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egregore

I note in that article a more sinister negative connotation:

The word "egregore" derives from the Greek word, ἐγρήγοροι (egrḗgoroi), meaning "watchers" (also transliterated "grigori"). This word appears in the Septuagint translation of the Book of Lamentations,[1] as well as the Book of Jubilees and the Book of Enoch.

Eliphas Lévi, in Le Grand Arcane ("The Great Mystery", 1868) identifies "egregors" (sic) with the tradition concerning the fathers of the nephilim, describing them as "terrible beings" that "crush us without pity because they are unaware of our existence." [2]

I noted the definition of the "egregore" and one definition had collective group mind.

Years ago there was also a term "group think" and it seems to me this could also be relevant:

Groupthink is a type of thought exhibited by group members who try to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas. Individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking are lost in the pursuit of group cohesiveness, as are the advantages of reasonable balance in choice and thought that might normally be obtained by making decisions as a group.

There can be positive aspects as well as negative aspects to "egregore" according to the essay you referred to..

There are also instances where some groups deliberately use the egregore for the spiritual development and well being of their members. This is true of various mystical organizations. For some beginners, this is where the danger lies, because of the tendency of man to seek protection, the price of which is often a loss of freedom

So there could be aspects to this that pose a danger or risk to spiritual development.

- Art

[Dan Noga]

There's a fine balance to be struck on the spiritual path, one that each of us must fine-tune for ourselves. Approaching egregores calls this task into focus, as it presents unique challenges.

As a rule of thumb that is often repeated, one who is on a spiritual path should work towards weakening the hold of the personal ego. From this point of view, "[i]ndividual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking" can become hindrances on the Path when they are emphasized purely for their own sake, for selfish reasons, or to glorify oneself. On the other hand, many examples can be named of those whose individualism, creativity and uniqueness served to advance humanity: Alfred Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, HPB to name just the first few who come to mind at the moment.

Also, "group cohesiveness" is not necessarily a good thing when the group is violently attacking some other group or person, such as we've seen during the Crusades and in many other instances--but it's a really good thing when leaders get together to talk peace.

"Groupthink," however, has spelled the end of many a group--complacency sets in, obsolete modes of operation are clung to, and progress falls by the wayside. "Business as usual" dominates because it has always worked before, and why rock the boat now?

Growth, progress and evolution are essential to groups if they are to thrive. We can really look at groups like organisms unto themselves, each individual a "cell" in the group's "body." Corporations, for example, that encourage innovation and creativity are often very successful--those that adapt to changing times.

[Arthur E Gregory]

As a rule of thumb that is often repeated, one who is on a spiritual path should work towards weakening the hold of the personal ego.

I think that's a good summary Dan!

and I appreciate the parallel you've made between:

We can really look at groups like organisms unto themselves, each individual a "cell" in the group's "body."

Maybe a "cancer cell" could be related to an out of control corporation or party or nation that seeks to extend itself beyond normal limits and threaten the environment.

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which

a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits),

invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and

sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood).

[Dan Noga]

"Maybe a "cancer cell" could be related to an out of control corporation or party or nation that seeks to extend itself beyond normal limits and threaten the environment."

I agree. While it's not a flattering analogy, one can look particularly at the effect humanity is having on the environment through that lens. We have traditionally moved from place to place, consuming resources and moving on when either:

a) The resources are consumed, and/or
b) We've rendered the area uninhabitable

Now we're running out of places to go, and in the midst of it all, visionaries have tabled the idea of colonizing Mars some day. Just another "cell" to invade?

I think we should learn to live in harmony here before we ever seriously consider expanding out into the wider universe--otherwise we will just bring our problems with us wherever we go. "Star Wars," anyone?

[Arthur E Gregory]

Well yep I think we're in agreement especially on the harmonic living..

I also think there's a little of that microcosm - macrocosm thing going on..

Whats around us is also what's inside us..

[Mark Newbold]

"Egregora" was a term used by the early Gnostics to describe their fellowships/intentional communities in the early centuries. This among other free associations of free individuals bonded by a common philosophy that sought to keep at bay the partisan elements such communities are exposed to through individual egos & personalities, politics and the desire for power. Partisanship breeds reactionary exclusivity and in tribal societies, nationalism. Reminding me of Kirkegaard's, "there is no truth in the herd." The herd mentality is exclusively reactionary. The recent political "tea parties" in the United States are a sociological manifestation of this.

As the Gnostics demonstrate the ancient mystery schools sought the same free association of human beings seeking to edify the inner nature, the roots of spiritual alchemy. The knowing of the self is the challenge to form a "a more perfect union" for the good of all. Theosophy is the modern day form of these ancient schools rooted in the perrenial philosophy which seeks a cosmopolitan world view and truly global citizens

[Arthur E Gregory]

We were talikng above about residuals of Karmic energies and here in this passage below you will note the effect of "poisonous emanations". Good thoughts and affirmations at certain definite times have a powerful effect in purifying one's surroundings can act as "a bolt of lightning". Then the image occured to me of a Vajra:

Vajra (Devanagari: वज्र, Chinese: 金剛 jīngāng; Tibetan: dorje ) is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. ...


"It is useful to advise friends to send out good mutually good thoughts at a definite time. In such an action there will be not only a strengthening of benevolence but also a disinfection of space, and the latter is extremely necessary.

Poisonous emanations not only infect man but also are precipitated upon surrounding objects. Such sediments are eradicated with great difficulty. They can even accompany objects for long distances.

In time people will distinguish the aura of such infected objects. Meanwhile sensitive individuals can feel the reaction of such stratifications upon themselves.

Good thoughts will be the best purifier of one’s surroundings. Affirmations of the sendings of good are still stronger than purifying incenses. But one should accustom oneself to such sendings. They need not be made up of definite words but only of a directed good feeling. Thus, in the midst of daily life it is possible to create much good. Each such sending is like a cleansing bolt of lightning."

- p. 104 Brotherhood 1937 (Agni Yoga Society)

[Jeff Zolkes]

[Arthur E Gregory]

Thanks Jeff for the lovely video!

I'm reminded also of this:

When a great force is liberated by the entrance of a divine being into the world arena, it must of necessity express itself through the vehicle of a human temple, and the objective expression of this force manifests itself in thoughts of different grades and degrees according to the capacity of the people.

The master-teachers are the expounders of divine common sense which is the pathway to a knowledge of universal law, the result of which will be a harmonious humanity. Man confines his consciousness to this material plane. This new force will liberate him and he will become conscious of many planes and of the ultimate oneness of them all.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 8)

[Arthur E Gregory]

Many thanks for your post Joy!

Yes you're correct..

See:

http://www.amazon.com/Seat-Soul-Gary-Zukav/dp/067169507X

Gary Zukov's books have been around for awhile.

- Art

[christinaleestemaker]