from Verse Forty-FourThose who wish to command a reputation inevitably create causes, and when causes are created they abandon the public and take to the private. Turning theirs backs on the Way, they take things upon themselves; they do good when they see they will be praised for it, setting themselves up as worthies.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
As someone who has been actively involved in many progressive causes over the years, one might think I would find this passage very troubling. Not at all!! In fact, I think the above message is square on.
It often amazed me how groups who worked on the same or congruent issues couldn't seem to come together to work on shared projects or values. To be sure, there would be discussions of this nature, but, too often, one or more groups would back out and this would render the proposed effort as almost meaningless.
From my humble perspective, the problem tended to center on what I call the "Moses effect". Each group desired to be the LEAD organization, the one that got the credit for leading the people to the Promised Land! Being the lead group often meant more press clippings which led to more prestige which often led to greater fundraising opportunities.
In my book, I don't care who leads the column. When that topic becomes the overarching concern, then the emphasis is switched from the need people wish to meet to feeding egos. The focus becomes more about the destination than the journey itself.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
It often amazed me how groups who worked on the same or congruent issues couldn't seem to come together to work on shared projects or values. To be sure, there would be discussions of this nature, but, too often, one or more groups would back out and this would render the proposed effort as almost meaningless.
From my humble perspective, the problem tended to center on what I call the "Moses effect". Each group desired to be the LEAD organization, the one that got the credit for leading the people to the Promised Land! Being the lead group often meant more press clippings which led to more prestige which often led to greater fundraising opportunities.
In my book, I don't care who leads the column. When that topic becomes the overarching concern, then the emphasis is switched from the need people wish to meet to feeding egos. The focus becomes more about the destination than the journey itself.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
A leftist, by its nature, wants to change the world.
ReplyDeleteWhat does this word "progressive" mean anyway?
Wishing to change the world is opposed to the tao. Lao Tzu considered the world perfect. This is hard to swallow, but slowly one may see what he meant.
My claim to fame is this:
You can not change the world.
But you are part of the world.
Change yourself, and the world is changed.
I would say that a leftist or progressive sees that society has turned from the Way and desires to try to nudge society back on the path.
ReplyDeletethe world changes, regardless of one's wish. politics follows a pattern just like a river does, a pattern of oppression and reaction. when there is no oppression, there is little to change.
ReplyDelete