"What heaven succours it protects with the gift of compassion." from Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.
"Fanatics have their dreams," wrote Keats, "wherewith they weave a paradise for a sect." Ironically, the resulting conflict and confusion which seems to characterise the world of men can make heaven more obscure than ever. It is as if the compassionate society with freedom of the individual defies definition in ideological terms in the same way perhaps that tender feelings are rationalised almost out of existence in the minds of the corrupted and repressed. The dogmatic implementation of utopian visions is dangerously misguided, and naive. Political solutions will continue to be ineffective while man's perception of himself lacks insight.
The realisation of individual freedom within a society of compassion does not require a political revolution or social engineering. In fact, it is hindered by political interpretations. Compassion is realised within, and grows naturally with increasing self-awareness and sensitivity. The compassionate society exists, as a community of the spirit, permeating present social structures and it is open to those motivated through conscience who are prepared to share their lives with others. Within the limits set by conscience, the spiritual community is a free society; the acceptance of one's true nature may involve the rejection of imposed social roles, however, and the orientation of an individual's life is often changed dramatically.
There is no fixed hierarchy in the compassionate society, for the capacity to love and the strength of the spirit may increase or decrease depending on one's integrity. There are different levels of motivation in human behaviour, states of mind which are related to the complex hierarchy of internal needs and drives. These levels need not correspond to socio-economic classes; whether we live in heaven or in hell depends more on the level of our own consciousness than on the world around us, although our reactions to the environment are significant. Whatever positions they may occupy in the world, a spiritually motivated person acting according to conscience is stronger as an individual than a materialistic person motivated by an insatiable greed. Often being more creative, a spiritually motivated person is less easily manipulated by others and consequently may not fit so easily into the management structure of materialistically orientated social systems.
Being averse to competing among themselves, spiritually motivated individuals can work together much more harmoniously and effectively than others because of their natural ability to cooperate. Apparent weakness can thus be turned into a source of strength through mutual dependence and compassion.
The continuing survival of the species may now depend on the peaceful resolution of conflicts and ideological differences. Positive solutions need to be found which will restore harmony on a worldwide scale. The pneumatocracy concept which is itself an inspired compromise, allows a more flexible and creative approach to problems of human organisation. Clearly a strengthening of the community of the spirit is also necessary if the compassionate society is to become influential enough to embrace the world.
Although the redemption of mankind still depends on each person finding individual salvation, aptitude tests and good careers advice can help, and the pace of social transformation has been accelerated by improvements in communications and the development of mass media and the internet. The emancipation of women is an important step forward and should enable more women to develop and express their whole personality, integrating both masculine and feminine qualities. Woman's liberation should increase more compassionate, feminine influence on the male world, if its temptations can be avoided. This is only half the answer, however. Real equality can exist only when sexual differences and other polarities are transcended. Spiritual rebirth is necessary to free the heart of man from the misconceptions of his mind. This requires the liberation of Love.