"He who knows he has
enough is rich."
-- Tao Te Ching
Overview & Connection
to a New Dream
In an October 1998 Listserv Conversation,
we asked participants "To what extent does resistance to the dominant commercial
culture require a spiritual path?"
The overwhelming response - not only is such resistance necessary, but it will
naturally lead to a rich spiritual experience, and vice versa. A participant from Quebec
said a "chosen spiritual path takes up so much of my time and energy that I
don’t have room for the dominant commercial culture." Others assessed the
experience as more grandiose than simply escaping commercialism. A Floridian participant
alluded to Gandhi who "lived a life that was ‘resistant’ to the dominant
culture but not out of seeing it as the enemy; rather, out of having a vision for
something else."
Whether involved in organized religion or their own personal
spirituality, more and more people are rediscovering the importance of achieving a
spiritual balance in their lives. It can be difficult when the dominant culture seems to
scream "MORE IS BETTER," but then again its hard to dispute that humans have
non-material needs, such as the deeper needs for relationships, love, beauty, and a sense
of purpose, which can hardly be fulfilled by a trip to the mall.
Though not the norm in late 20th century’s high-paced commercial culture, these
notions are hardly groundbreaking - nearly all major religious and spiritual traditions
have been teaching them for centuries (see below).
In 1992, a prominent group of international scientists convened to urge religious
leaders to readdress these teachings and confront ecological degradation. The scientists
wrote:
The environmental crisis requires radical changes not only in
public policy, but also in individual behavior. The historical record makes it clear that
religious teaching, example, and leadership are able to influence personal conduct and
commitment. We hope this appeal will encourage a spirit of common cause and joint action
to preserve the Earth.
A collection of religious and spiritual organizations heeded that call, many directly
addressing the core issue of consumption. Groups such as Earth Ministry and the National
Religious Partnership for the Environment stress that we need to reassess our consumption
patterns for environmental reasons, as well as personal and spiritual, reasons. The
materialistic worldview that dominates our society leads us away from our religious or
spiritual selves. By consuming less, we can devote more time and energy to the true
meaning in our lives. |