There are only faint whispers to be heard at a time when voices ought to be confident, resolute and strong; this time in history when one of the most powerful country's leaders has gone so far astray of acceptable humane practices in the treatment of his fellow human beings that one is struck with a crippling, debilitating and crushing awe that one man could reverse the progressive course of basic rights.
Freedom has become a luxury to be granted by he who views himself as an emperor, a false god with omnipotent power to determine the fate of those he rules and there are so many who worship at his altar made of fear and superiority that he has created a new religion - one that has rejected the common spiritual values of most others: compassion, integrity, humility, love and peace. Instead, there is a slavish surrender to powerlessness and subservience - an acceptance of self-imposed inferiority to a man who has not earned power, but to one who has selfishly grabbed and misused it in ways one had long since thought would have been rejected by enlightened individuals.
But, there is no enlightenment on a mass scale.
There is laziness, revulsion, greed and hatred in this new religion and its followers have allowed one man to cleanse them of fairness, worthwhile purpose, high ideals and spiritual growth. It is a stunted expression of personhood. A relic from days gone by when man could claim ignorance to defend barbarity and oppression. In today's world, no such claim can be justified. For some, lessons have not been learned. They have not been integrated. They have not been accepted in the only fashion one can progress: through honest humility. There is only viciousness, anger and cruelty. As if those are the redemption of a civilization when, in fact, they are the curse.
There are nine hundred and ninety-nine patrons of virtue to every virtuous man.
- Henry David Thoreau
During this time then, one must decide if they are simply a patron. And, during this time, simply being a patron is not enough.
While some yearn for leaders who will show them the path, others know that they are already on the path and that to sit by the side of the road waiting for another who might take their hand and guide them is surrender.
The path is the goal, states Chogyam Trungpa.
Each who walks the path is her own leader and, if there is disappointment to be found in those one thought were worthy of trust to lead the revolution, accepting the responsibility for walking that path ensures that the only one to trust is oneself. And that can only be achieved by the walking.
So, set aside false gods. Set aside insidious idols. Be that one virtuous person. And, if you fall on the path, don't wait for a hand to lift you up. Be that strength by knowing that you have it. Nurture it. Accept your leadership. Trust yourself. And move forward. And as you move, stand beside others who share the path - not as their leader, but as an example of what is possible, for they too will know they can lead themselves. And, if they wander, accept them when they come back because the path is difficult and no one is infallible. You will wander too. Learn from them and humble yourself.
Revolutions begin with one step. Now is the time for a revolution. Be it.
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