Managing the Spiritual Neighborhood
Published by
Tinker's Creek Press
How to Restore the Conscience of America's Communities; A Grass-Roots Approach

More Visions ... What should an ideal world look like? Some would say that things are ideal right now, and from a technology standpoint at least they have a strong argument. The fact that the words you are reading at this moment were transferred instantly to your desktop by way of a worldwide network of computers, satellites and transmission wires, and appear before your eyes on a high-resolution cathode ray tube with 16 million colors per pixel, and a million dots per screen, scrolling smoothly by at the light touch of key, all for the price of a local telephone call; some would say that it doesn't get any better than this.

The Technology of Nature. But the technology of man pales in comparison with the divine technology of nature, which created this planet, this galaxy, and the entire living universe from the tiniest particle to the greatest supernova. In particular the great creator has produced the marvel of life on earth, with human kind as the culmination. A humble earth worm contains technology more sophisticated than the world's biggest supercomputer. If you think scrolling computer displays are impressive, go outside and take a look at a soaring hawk, or a blooming flower; listen to a chirping cricket; gaze at a snow-capped mountain peak; or view the very sun, moon and stars that revolve through the celestial canopy. Better yet, take a look inside; look at your own intelligence, expressed through the miraculous human nervous system. Has modern man yet fathomed that miracle?

Techno-Tribesmen. Modern man may not fathom it, but it appears that ancient man did. The various indigenous civilizations that arose before recorded time including the founding intelligence of all of the world's major religions represent a font of cosmic knowledge. But centuries of colonialism and on-rushing tide of modernization has come close to wiping them out. Not only have we wiped out indigenous people, we have also done quite a job on the earth that once supported them. So here's the challenge. How can we regain the wisdom of the ancients, but not have to give up our technological advances? Is it possible for us to become techno-tribesman? There are signs indicating that people have already begun to move in this direction, but big challenges still remain economic, social, environmental. Here are some of the future visions this writer sees.

How do we get there from here?
Bottom-up Government ..... Click Community Conscience Advocacy
 

.... A new type of government
     emerges
– one that doesn't depend
     on the use of force.

.... There's less need for lawyers, judges, and
     courts People are not so obsesed with
     legalities because they've learned
     how to conduct themselves in
     in a civil manner.

.... Jails empty out because a new mode of
     crime prevention comes into
play –
     one that uses education rather
     than punishment.

.... People are not so hung-up on the separa-
     tion of church and state because religious
     leaders and government leaders are equally
     wise in all important matters, including
     spiritual matters.

....
Conflicts between religions are
     dissolved
and transformed into a friend-
     ly exchange of ideas as clerics from
     every faith fathom the divine
     fabric that connects us all.

.... Political conflicts disappear as the wisest
     and most compassionate of society assume
     positions of leadership. Political leaders
     agree on things rather than fight about them.

.... Opinion polls are a thing of the past.
     Government leaders are trusted well
     enough that there need be no pressure
     from public opinion.


 

.... The military has little to do because the
     country stays out of wars
. Ships, aircraft,
     submarines, missiles become obsolete.
     Weapons are no longer made because we
     don't need them. Existing stocks are
     disassembled, recycled, buried.

.... Iintelligence agencies, spies and surveillance,
     background checks, security systems, are phased
     out as governments and citizens start
     doing things in an open and honest fashion.

.... Nations lose their importance as smaller
     communities become more cohesive and self-sufficient.
     The national government merely serves to facilitate
     inter-community and inter-regional exchange,
     commerce and cooperation.

.... Patriotism becomes a quaint relic as people develop a
     closer allegiance to their own neighbors rather than to
     a remote bureaucracy.

.... Alarm manufacturers must find new
     lines of business because
people start leaving
     their doors open again.
Window bars, two-way
     mirrors, metal detectors, bulletproof glass, barbed
     wire, hiddern cameras all disappear.

.... Relatively small, close-knit, village-style enclaves are
     formed where people live and work together, share
     resources, eat communally, look after each other's kids,
     share recreation time and establish a true culture.

.... All, or nearly all of a community's
food comes from
     local sources
, grown and brought to market by local
     people who are themselves community members.

.... All energy, including that require for transport, comes
     from renewable, non-polluting sources.

.... Stores operate by the honor system. There are
     no price tags and no cashiers. You pick up what you
     need, keep track of it yourself, and at the end of the
     month tally up your purchases and pay the merchant.

....
Commercial ads are not necessary.
     The best goods and the best place to find them are
     common knowledge, spread by word of mouth. It's
     part of the community education.

....
De-urbanization. Big cities start to shrink as
     people spread out into the countryside. Trees and
     green space begin to replace the concrete and
     asphalt of the urban jungle.

.... Gardens and small farms return in a big way.
     Agriculture is organic. People eat more
     vegetables and less meat, making cattle ranches,
     pig farms, etc. obsolete. What meat and poultry
     production there is is free range, organic.

....
Traffic and congestion disappear. Most people
     work within walking distance of where
     they live. Those who must travel longer distances
     use public transortion, or non-polluting personal
     transport vehicles (e.g., bicycles, electric scooters).

.... Tourism becomes a thing of the past. The setting in your
     own community is so beautiful that you have no
     desire to leave it. There's no need for vacation trips
     because
you already live in paradise.

.... No one watches movies anymore. Hollywood
     closes up shop. People find there is much better
     entertainment in the world around them.

.... Air travel is phased out. Long distance travel goes
     by rail. Overseas travel goes by ship.
     Airplanes become museum pieces.

.... Noise pollution ceases. No more distant roar from
     highways or jet planes. Quietness prevails; nothing but the
     sounds of nature – animals, birds, insects, the wind,
     the rain. The oceans are also silent as motorized vessels
     are replaced by sail craft. No more whale beachings
     from tanker noise and super sonar blasts.

.... Light pollution ceases. Everyone rises at dawn goes to
     bed at dusk. Houses and streets go dark at night and
     the stellar arc is once again visible.

.... The work week is no longer rushed and frenzied. The
     natural rhythm of work and rest takes over. People
     work and live healthier.

.... The world enters a post-industrial era. Industry and
     economy condense to a smaller, lighter scale.

.... There is less need for interstate and international
     commerce. Most goods are transported by human or by
     pack animal. What can't be carried goes by rail or ship.
     Tractor-trailors become obsolete.

.... Unlimited growth in high-technology is replaced by a
     focus on the technologies that are essential to the quality
     of life. Scientists and engineers identify a technology
     plateau;
a level that is good enough for all future
     generations.

.... Everything we build is either 100% recyclable down
     to the smallest component, is biodegradable and can
     be safely composted, or is designed to last 10,000
     years with little or no maintenance.

.... The gap between rich and poor disappears. People
     realize that it's more satisfying to work for the common
     good than it is to accumulate a mass of personal wealth.

.... Poverty and hunger are solved by teaching people
     to become to be self-sufficient; materially and spiritually.

.... Population growth is checked as partners show more
     restraint in having children. A sense of holiness
     is restored to the marriage union.

.... Stock market investing gradually becomes unnecessary
     as local entrepreneurs are supported by their own
     communities. The Wall Street phenomenon becomes
     an historical curiosity.


.... Local artisans make a comeback – tailors, furniture
     makers, cobblers, artists – restoring a true local economy.

.... Fleeting fads and fashions gradually give way to lasting
     traditions in food, clothing, lifestyle.

.... Teachers, educators, religious and spiritual leaders are
     permanent members of the community they serve, living
     among the people they teach.

.... Community elders pass on life skills from generation
     to generation. Education becomes a lifelong process for
     every person.

.... There is no ugliness or decay. Every city, town and
     community is green and beautiful. Human habitations
     are integrated seemlessly with the region's natural,
     ecosystem. Native plants, insects, birds, wildlife
     co-exist harmoniously with people.
    

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