The Resolutionist Analects
One Universal Question lies at the heart of our experiences, whether we ponder the answers consciously or not: What is the meaning of life? Many great philosophers, teachers, and spiritual leaders have given their insights into this infinitely old and burning question. In my quest to save the world, I have also pursued answers on this subject with great consideration, and in this text I would like to share some of my thoughts and beliefs with you through the aspirations that they may be of direct or practical benefit to someone; perhaps the whole world.
I don’t know who or what created the universe. I don’t know
whether the universe has any meaning at all, or what that meaning would
be. These answers seem impossible for us to know, right now. But, with
great reflection I have come to believe that the meaning of human life
is simply: to find happiness. I believe that the very purpose of a human
life is to be happy.
From the moment we are born, every human being wants and
searches for what will bring them happiness, and wishes to avoid personal
suffering. No political ideology, religious affiliation, or educational or
social conditioning can change this. It is permanently engrained in us
from the core of our being, to desire contentment and peace.
I believe that each one of us has our own meaning of life. We
all have our own ideas of what will make us happy. Nevertheless, each
meaning of life is similar because we all have the same desire to live in
peace and happiness. At the root of it all, we are all connected to the
same task of finding happiness for ourselves.
This is because we live in a world with countless dangers.
Suffering is everywhere, and we all face countless problems and
challenges, every moment of every day. There are all kinds of threats to
humanity, and to the globe. There are many varieties of social crises that
could topple governments and economic systems worldwide. There are
great intercontinental battles that are fought between nations, national
and provincial battles fought between political parties, and there are
personal battles amongst individuals. We even battle amongst ourselves,
internally. Because of this, each human being faces immense suffering.
Suffering is common to all.
The first thing we feel in our lives is the pain of the birthing
process. Immediately after, and for the rest of our lives, we face constant
suffering. We endure major sufferance in the face of war, poverty, and
other crises, and minor suffering that we might not even be fully aware
of. For example, we face minor suffering every time we are hungry. Our
bodies need energy, and it suffers when energy lacks. We need to find
food and water to replenish our energy, or we’ll die. This is a life-long
challenge. The instant we are born, we face suffering and challenges
on many levels, and our whole lives we struggle to overcome those
conflicts, whether they seem cosmic or insignificant.
We all feel suffering, and we all have the desire to be happy. If
we work separately to achieve our own individual goals, we may or may
not succeed, but, if we work together, we can eliminate suffering and
achieve happiness. Indeed if we remember that it is not just ourselves
that has to undergo this suffering, and that everyone on Earth faces the
same struggles, it may increase our determination and ability to triumph
over these difficulties. If we develop our sympathy and empathy for
others and their suffering, and increase our desire to help remove their
pain, then as a more compassionate people we will increase our own
serenity and happiness.
I believe we must form a resolution to be more compassionate.
Evoking compassion has many benefits to others but it also creates
happiness within the individual. Cultivating compassion and an
empathic sense of well-being for other people not only helps them, but it
also automatically helps us put our own mind at ease, removing our own
fears or insecurities that we may have, and gives us the strength to cope
with any obstacles we encounter. With this attitude, we can face each
new obstacle as another valuable opportunity to overcome troubles, and
a new chance to improve our way of life.
I believe that compassion is the foundation of the human
experience, resulting from the profound interdependence that we all share
with one another. We depend on the support of others throughout the life
experience, however capable or skillful an individual may become, or
however vigorous and independent one may feel during points of life.
Whenever we are hurt, or sick, or very young or very old, if we are left
alone, we will not survive.
Interdependence is also a fundamental law of nature, as all forms
of life on Earth survive by mutual cooperation based on a subtle but
innate recognition of interconnectivity. In fact, all natural phenomena,
like the winds, the clouds, oceans, and forests also cooperate with
other patterns of energy or environmental systems. Without these
interactions, all systems of life would decay and dissolve. Everything is
interconnected, and we are not an exception.
Humans often tend to think that we exist dependently from help
of others, and it’s true that we are very self sufficient for most of our
lives. However, we are completely dependent on our mothers from the
moment of conception to our birth. There is a critical stage of life up
to age 3 or 4, during which time without loving care development will
be impaired and the brain may not fully mature. Without the company
of others, we will not learn language or skills of social interaction and
we will have a difficult time throughout our life experience. Since a
child cannot survive without the compassion of others, it is clear that
compassion is required.
We rely on the cooperation of many independent people and
institutions in our everyday lives in all of our experiences. The gas we
put into our cars comes from the hard work of people and institutions
from miles away to produce; the gas company buys it and somebody
ships it to the store where you purchase it. Think about all of the people
involved in this process. How many hundreds or thousands of people
might have been involved in your one action of putting gas into your
car?
When we go to a restaurant, the food we eat is gown by farmers,
shipped to markets, bought by managers, cooked by chefs, and brought
out to you by the servers. When you’re finished your meal, somebody
cleans up after you. Think about all of those people who contributed
to your meal. There are many co-operations taking place within each of
these steps as well. The famer used a tractor built by a company who
gets their steel from a refinery. Who works in the refinery? Who made
the steel? Who built the tractor? Who sold the tractor? The people
that shipped the food drove a truck down a highway, which would have
been created, paved and maintained by people. The server is wearing a
uniform from materials that were most likely grown and manufactured
in another country. The person that washes the dishes sprays water from
a hose that is linked to a giant network of water pipes. The restaurant
you’re in isn’t dark, because it has electricity, built by humans, and put
into place with the cooperation of many people. Everything we do is
marked with interdependence.
Therefore, leaving aside complex philosophical questions of
creation, evolution, religion, science or the great mysteries of the
universe, we can all agree that each of us strives for happiness, and
wishes for reduced suffering, and that we are all a product of cooperation
and interdependence.
However, such beliefs do not have much current influence or
power, in a world where our self-centeredness and anger are still so
much a part of our human culture, and perhaps even human nature.
Consequently, ideas such as these are usually vilified or attacked, and
most are largely ignored. Self-centeredness, anger, hatred, etc. are all
disturbances to happiness, and instigators of more suffering.
Having seen that all experience affliction we should develop a
genuine desire to liberate ourselves from those feelings which instigate
suffering, by developing an equally persuasive and forceful energy
which comes from compassion, reason and patience. These virtues are
the most powerful antidotes to disturbances of happiness.
We know that our emotions are innate qualities that affect us
both physically and mentally. Emotions have evolved over hundreds
of thousands years with purposes such as keeping us from falling prey
to dangers, and to propagate the species. Emotions bring us extra
energy which can be helpful with regards to strength, confidence, and
determination, especially when we are faced with a difficult situation.
These extremely powerful emotions can cause remarkable feats of all
kinds, but if not controlled, they can also cause immense destruction
and even more suffering. The immeasurable amount of human suffering
over time is sufficient testament to that.
Compassion is gentle, peaceful, loving kindness which can also
increase strength, confidence and determination, but with reason and
patience, can be much more powerful than anger or other disturbances
to happiness. For example, those who lose their patience often become
unstable, insecure, and impulsive, which is unreliable. As anger eclipses
their rationality, this is a direct sign of weakness. Those who keep their
composure have endurance. Therefore showing tolerance, patience and
compassion is a sign of strength.
Since universal happiness is made up of individual happiness,
increasing individual happiness would contribute to an overall
improvement of the entire global community. Therefore, it is important
to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness on a
personal level, thereby increasing peace and happiness in the world.
Happiness is an emotional feeling of pleasure, satisfaction, joy
or contentment. I believe it is possible for our intents and purposes to
divide all kinds of happiness (and suffering for that matter) into two
simple categories: mental and physical. Of these two categories, the
mind plays a more crucial role in shaping our behaviour. If we think
about it, we rarely pay attention to our bodies, unless we are dissatisfied
with our physical condition. Unless we become ill, or hurt, or deprived
of necessities, our bodies don’t have much influence in our moment to
moment lives. If we are content with our bodies we practically ignore it.
The mind however, devotes serious efforts to every event in our
lives, no matter how serious or small it may seem. All of our emotions,
thoughts, and actions arise first in the mind. All of the greed, anger, and
fears we face come from the mind. Therefore, all of our sufferings stem
first from the mind. Likewise, the mind is the source of all positive
feelings which give rise to our most excellent qualities. The roots of all
peace and happiness are grown in the mind. Therefore I believe that we
should devote our efforts to bringing about a mental happiness and peace
of mind, and to achieve this we must practice compassion.
I say “practice” because merely thinking that skills such as
compassion, reason and patience are good, will not be enough to develop
them. We must make a conscious effort to check our selfish and impulsive
means, and replace them with reasonable compassion and kindness in
common discourse. We must be altruistic in nature, taking good care of
others and being concerned for their welfare. We must try to help them,
serve them, and whatever you do, it should be done to benefit others to
increase their happiness. We should all form a resolution to practice
compassion.
This will not be easy, but like everything in life, practice makes
perfect. There is nothing that does not become easier with time and
familiarity. Compassion offers so many benefits and incentives that it
will not take long for it to become an integral part of your life, once you
start to discern the peace and happiness of a compassionate and loving
mind.
I believe that we can accomplish this through Resolutionism, and
the practices of transforming the mind into an active and caring state
of mental peace and happiness, on the basis of compassion, patience,
wisdom and morality.
Because we all share this identical need for compassion and
happiness, we are all the same. We must minimize the divisions amongst
humanity; such as appearance, cultural, religious or philosophical
beliefs, etc. because it is foolish to dwell on these differences while
our basic natures are the same. No matter how strange the behaviour,
or how different the face, or unique the dress; humanity is one. We
are all brothers and sisters and this small planet is our home. If we
are to protect this home and share its beautiful wonder, we must not be
self-centered, deceitful, covetous or non-virtuous. We must be sincere,
open-minded, confident, and compassionate with ourselves and each
other, and with our home. If we develop kindness, patience, logic and
morality we can expect a whole new era, conceived in an atmosphere of
peace and harmony at every level of society, from a genuine feeling of
increased individual happiness through the practice of compassion and
Resolutionism.
At the heart of Resolutionism is the recognition that in the midst of
a magnificent diversity of life, we are one human family living on
one Earth who share one common goal: happiness. To achieve this
goal, Resolutionism is founded on respect and compassion for nature,
universal human rights, economic, political and social justice, and peace.
Therefore, Resolutionists believe in and affirm a commitment to the
following interdependent principles for a new way of life, with
Universal Respect and Compassion of Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness
Resolutionists respect the Earth and all life in all of its infinite diversity.
We recognize that all beings and phenomena are interdependent, and that
every form of life holds precious value and certain unalienable rights. We
accept these truths with a duty to protect those rights, and to promote the
common good, and to prevent harm. With understanding, compassion,
and responsibility to sponsor political, economic and social justice,
Resolutionists secure the blessings, bounty, and beauty of our planet, for
ourselves and for future generations. We affirm this by accepting the
inherent dignity of all life and all natural phenomena, and their potential,
guaranteeing them fundamental rights and freedoms. Resolutionists
realize that with any increased power, knowledge or freedom, comes
increased responsibility to care for the community of life, by developing
and transmitting positive values, traditions, and institutions that support
and secure the meaningful livelihood of Earth’s human and ecological
communities.
Universal Ecological Responsibility
Resolutionists believe that we should protect, restore and maintain
the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems. We believe that all natural
processes that sustain life must be protected from harm as the best method
of both human and environmental preservation. Therefore, Resolutionists
would like to adopt at all levels of society, sustainable development
regulations, establishing and safeguarding viable nature and biosphere
reserves, including land and marine areas, to protect Earth’s life support
systems, maintain biodiversity and preserve our natural heritage. This
includes the promotion of the recovery of endangered species and
ecosystems, the management of reduction and elimination of the use of
non-renewable resources, and the use of renewable resources and the
eradication of harmful consequences of human activities. In order to
fulfil these commitments we believe that it is necessary to take action
to avoid any possibility of environmental harm, even when scientific
knowledge, data or proof is limited, incomplete or inconclusive, a
precautionary approach must be applied.
Resolutionists believe that we should adopt patterns of sustainable
production and consumption that safeguard against activities or
initiatives that would cause environmental harm, and make responsible
parties liable for any harm, no matter how small, significant, cumulative,
indirect, long-term, or irreversible.
Resolutionists believe that we must internalize the full environmental and social costs of all goods
and services in the selling price, allowing customers to make the best
decisions for their wishes, ensuring responsibility on both the buyer and the seller.
We must ensure that our decision
making processes address the need to prevent pollution of any part of
the environment, allowing for no build-up of hazardous substances to
the ecosystem, including a sharp reduction or ban of the use of any
radioactive or toxic materials, and greenhouse gas emissions. We
must reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials used in production and
consumption systems and act with restraint and efficiency when using
resources, and promote the development, adoption, and equitable
transfer of environmentally sound technologies, and rely increasingly
on renewable energy sources such as solar power. We believe that we
must adopt lifestyles that emphasize the quality of life and material
sufficiency in our finite world.
Universal Political and Economic Justice
Resolutionists believe that in order to better care for the global
community of life, we must build democratic societies that are ethical,
just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful. We recognize that while
all nations are sovereign, they too are interdependent. To help affirm
this faith, we must ensure that all communities at all levels guarantee
human rights and fundamental freedoms, and provide to all an equal
opportunity to realize their potential health, intellectual, artistic, ethnic,
or spiritual humanity, promoting social and economic justice, enabling
everyone to achieve a secure and happy livelihood, that is politically,
socially, economically, and ecologically responsible. To achieve this,
Resolutionists believe that we must strengthen our democratic processes
and institutions at all levels of society.
To affirm this, we believe that we are ready for a new democratic
global government, that ensures transparency and accountability in
governance, inclusive participation in all decision-making processes,
and equal access to justice. To realize this, we must support local and
regional societies, and global civil society as a whole, while promoting
the meaningful participation of all individuals in decision-making, and
protect the rights of all to freedom of opinion, expression, assembly,
association and dissent. We believe we must institute effective and
efficient government that upholds the rights of all while supporting local
and global cooperation and sustainability, and acting with transparency
and accountability in the name of the common good.
Resolutionists believe that economic activities and institutions at
all levels must promote human, social and/or environmental development
in an equitable and sustainable manner. To do this, we must ensure that
all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protection,
and equitable distribution of wealth within nations and amongst all
nations, to enhance the financial, technical, educational, health and
social resources of all.
Universal Social Promotion
Resolutionists believe that we must adopt global policies and institutions
that guarantee the right of all to clean and potable water, fresh air,
uncontainable soil, reasonable shelter, adequate sanitation, food
security, education, healthcare, and all resources required to secure a
sustainable and happy livelihood. To achieve this, we must recognize
that allocating the resources required for this will take national and
international effort and interdependence. We must advance the study
of human and ecological sustainability, and promote the open exchange
and wide application of the knowledge, and financial, technological, and
social supports and resources to promote the general welfare of all, and
to relieve all suffering.
In order to affirm this, Resolutionists believe that we must apply
strategies that uphold the rights of all to develop their capacities, and
pursue their aspirations, enhancing equality, eliminate discrimination,
and empowering every human being with universal access to healthcare,
education, and economic and social opportunity, as well as active
participation in all aspects of economic, ecological, political, civil,
social, cultural, and spiritual life. We believe we must strengthen all
communities and all families, integrating into our lifestyle through
education, media, and other means of lifelong learning, the knowledge,
values and skills necessary for a sustainable and happy livelihood,
including the contribution of the arts and humanities, the sciences, moral
and spiritual education, as well as raising awareness of ecological and
social challenges at the local and individual level, and on a global scale.
Universal Peace
Resolutionists believe that we must treat all living beings with respect,
consideration, and compassion, living in harmony, with freedom from
strife and an end to war, recognizing the importance of the environment
and preventing cruelty to animals, avoiding and eliminating to the fullest
extent possible, any harm.
We believe that we must promote a culture of compassion,
tolerance, and peace, by encouraging mutual understanding, supporting
solidarity and cooperation amongst all people of all communities,
including the global community.
To affirm this, Resolutionists believe that we must implement
comprehensive strategies and policies that prevent harm, avoid conflict,
and use collaborate problem solving protocols to manage disputes.
We believe that in order to achieve this, we must promote moral and
ethical respect and consideration, enhance social, logical, and ecological
education, strengthen global law, and empower all to actively contribute
to sustainable peace and happiness.
In the interest of global security, Resolutionists believe that in
order to achieve this, we require demilitarized national security systems
to a level of non-provocative defensive postures, while increasing
international and global defense and protection measures, all of which
converts most of the destructive military resources to peaceful purposes,
including social and ecological restoration. We recognize that this
includes the outright elimination of all nuclear, biological, chemical and
toxic weapons, and all other weapons of mass destruction, and we must
reduce and eliminate private and personal weapons to the best of our
abilities.
We require that as individuals, and as a global community, we
uphold the rights of all to a healthy natural and social environment that
is supportive of human dignity, happiness, health and welfare, while
governing all of our affairs in ways which are peaceful, and politically,
economically, and ecologically sustainable.
The Resolutionist Analects
By Aaron Nordquist
Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved
I don’t know who or what created the universe. I don’t know
whether the universe has any meaning at all, or what that meaning would
be. These answers seem impossible for us to know, right now. But, with
great reflection I have come to believe that the meaning of human life
is simply: to find happiness. I believe that the very purpose of a human
life is to be happy.
From the moment we are born, every human being wants and
searches for what will bring them happiness, and wishes to avoid personal
suffering. No political ideology, religious affiliation, or educational or
social conditioning can change this. It is permanently engrained in us
from the core of our being, to desire contentment and peace.
I believe that each one of us has our own meaning of life. We
all have our own ideas of what will make us happy. Nevertheless, each
meaning of life is similar because we all have the same desire to live in
peace and happiness. At the root of it all, we are all connected to the
same task of finding happiness for ourselves.
This is because we live in a world with countless dangers.
Suffering is everywhere, and we all face countless problems and
challenges, every moment of every day. There are all kinds of threats to
humanity, and to the globe. There are many varieties of social crises that
could topple governments and economic systems worldwide. There are
great intercontinental battles that are fought between nations, national
and provincial battles fought between political parties, and there are
personal battles amongst individuals. We even battle amongst ourselves,
internally. Because of this, each human being faces immense suffering.
Suffering is common to all.
The first thing we feel in our lives is the pain of the birthing
process. Immediately after, and for the rest of our lives, we face constant
suffering. We endure major sufferance in the face of war, poverty, and
other crises, and minor suffering that we might not even be fully aware
of. For example, we face minor suffering every time we are hungry. Our
bodies need energy, and it suffers when energy lacks. We need to find
food and water to replenish our energy, or we’ll die. This is a life-long
challenge. The instant we are born, we face suffering and challenges
on many levels, and our whole lives we struggle to overcome those
conflicts, whether they seem cosmic or insignificant.
We all feel suffering, and we all have the desire to be happy. If
we work separately to achieve our own individual goals, we may or may
not succeed, but, if we work together, we can eliminate suffering and
achieve happiness. Indeed if we remember that it is not just ourselves
that has to undergo this suffering, and that everyone on Earth faces the
same struggles, it may increase our determination and ability to triumph
over these difficulties. If we develop our sympathy and empathy for
others and their suffering, and increase our desire to help remove their
pain, then as a more compassionate people we will increase our own
serenity and happiness.
I believe we must form a resolution to be more compassionate.
Evoking compassion has many benefits to others but it also creates
happiness within the individual. Cultivating compassion and an
empathic sense of well-being for other people not only helps them, but it
also automatically helps us put our own mind at ease, removing our own
fears or insecurities that we may have, and gives us the strength to cope
with any obstacles we encounter. With this attitude, we can face each
new obstacle as another valuable opportunity to overcome troubles, and
a new chance to improve our way of life.
I believe that compassion is the foundation of the human
experience, resulting from the profound interdependence that we all share
with one another. We depend on the support of others throughout the life
experience, however capable or skillful an individual may become, or
however vigorous and independent one may feel during points of life.
Whenever we are hurt, or sick, or very young or very old, if we are left
alone, we will not survive.
Interdependence is also a fundamental law of nature, as all forms
of life on Earth survive by mutual cooperation based on a subtle but
innate recognition of interconnectivity. In fact, all natural phenomena,
like the winds, the clouds, oceans, and forests also cooperate with
other patterns of energy or environmental systems. Without these
interactions, all systems of life would decay and dissolve. Everything is
interconnected, and we are not an exception.
Humans often tend to think that we exist dependently from help
of others, and it’s true that we are very self sufficient for most of our
lives. However, we are completely dependent on our mothers from the
moment of conception to our birth. There is a critical stage of life up
to age 3 or 4, during which time without loving care development will
be impaired and the brain may not fully mature. Without the company
of others, we will not learn language or skills of social interaction and
we will have a difficult time throughout our life experience. Since a
child cannot survive without the compassion of others, it is clear that
compassion is required.
We rely on the cooperation of many independent people and
institutions in our everyday lives in all of our experiences. The gas we
put into our cars comes from the hard work of people and institutions
from miles away to produce; the gas company buys it and somebody
ships it to the store where you purchase it. Think about all of the people
involved in this process. How many hundreds or thousands of people
might have been involved in your one action of putting gas into your
car?
When we go to a restaurant, the food we eat is gown by farmers,
shipped to markets, bought by managers, cooked by chefs, and brought
out to you by the servers. When you’re finished your meal, somebody
cleans up after you. Think about all of those people who contributed
to your meal. There are many co-operations taking place within each of
these steps as well. The famer used a tractor built by a company who
gets their steel from a refinery. Who works in the refinery? Who made
the steel? Who built the tractor? Who sold the tractor? The people
that shipped the food drove a truck down a highway, which would have
been created, paved and maintained by people. The server is wearing a
uniform from materials that were most likely grown and manufactured
in another country. The person that washes the dishes sprays water from
a hose that is linked to a giant network of water pipes. The restaurant
you’re in isn’t dark, because it has electricity, built by humans, and put
into place with the cooperation of many people. Everything we do is
marked with interdependence.
Therefore, leaving aside complex philosophical questions of
creation, evolution, religion, science or the great mysteries of the
universe, we can all agree that each of us strives for happiness, and
wishes for reduced suffering, and that we are all a product of cooperation
and interdependence.
However, such beliefs do not have much current influence or
power, in a world where our self-centeredness and anger are still so
much a part of our human culture, and perhaps even human nature.
Consequently, ideas such as these are usually vilified or attacked, and
most are largely ignored. Self-centeredness, anger, hatred, etc. are all
disturbances to happiness, and instigators of more suffering.
Having seen that all experience affliction we should develop a
genuine desire to liberate ourselves from those feelings which instigate
suffering, by developing an equally persuasive and forceful energy
which comes from compassion, reason and patience. These virtues are
the most powerful antidotes to disturbances of happiness.
We know that our emotions are innate qualities that affect us
both physically and mentally. Emotions have evolved over hundreds
of thousands years with purposes such as keeping us from falling prey
to dangers, and to propagate the species. Emotions bring us extra
energy which can be helpful with regards to strength, confidence, and
determination, especially when we are faced with a difficult situation.
These extremely powerful emotions can cause remarkable feats of all
kinds, but if not controlled, they can also cause immense destruction
and even more suffering. The immeasurable amount of human suffering
over time is sufficient testament to that.
Compassion is gentle, peaceful, loving kindness which can also
increase strength, confidence and determination, but with reason and
patience, can be much more powerful than anger or other disturbances
to happiness. For example, those who lose their patience often become
unstable, insecure, and impulsive, which is unreliable. As anger eclipses
their rationality, this is a direct sign of weakness. Those who keep their
composure have endurance. Therefore showing tolerance, patience and
compassion is a sign of strength.
Since universal happiness is made up of individual happiness,
increasing individual happiness would contribute to an overall
improvement of the entire global community. Therefore, it is important
to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness on a
personal level, thereby increasing peace and happiness in the world.
Happiness is an emotional feeling of pleasure, satisfaction, joy
or contentment. I believe it is possible for our intents and purposes to
divide all kinds of happiness (and suffering for that matter) into two
simple categories: mental and physical. Of these two categories, the
mind plays a more crucial role in shaping our behaviour. If we think
about it, we rarely pay attention to our bodies, unless we are dissatisfied
with our physical condition. Unless we become ill, or hurt, or deprived
of necessities, our bodies don’t have much influence in our moment to
moment lives. If we are content with our bodies we practically ignore it.
The mind however, devotes serious efforts to every event in our
lives, no matter how serious or small it may seem. All of our emotions,
thoughts, and actions arise first in the mind. All of the greed, anger, and
fears we face come from the mind. Therefore, all of our sufferings stem
first from the mind. Likewise, the mind is the source of all positive
feelings which give rise to our most excellent qualities. The roots of all
peace and happiness are grown in the mind. Therefore I believe that we
should devote our efforts to bringing about a mental happiness and peace
of mind, and to achieve this we must practice compassion.
I say “practice” because merely thinking that skills such as
compassion, reason and patience are good, will not be enough to develop
them. We must make a conscious effort to check our selfish and impulsive
means, and replace them with reasonable compassion and kindness in
common discourse. We must be altruistic in nature, taking good care of
others and being concerned for their welfare. We must try to help them,
serve them, and whatever you do, it should be done to benefit others to
increase their happiness. We should all form a resolution to practice
compassion.
This will not be easy, but like everything in life, practice makes
perfect. There is nothing that does not become easier with time and
familiarity. Compassion offers so many benefits and incentives that it
will not take long for it to become an integral part of your life, once you
start to discern the peace and happiness of a compassionate and loving
mind.
I believe that we can accomplish this through Resolutionism, and
the practices of transforming the mind into an active and caring state
of mental peace and happiness, on the basis of compassion, patience,
wisdom and morality.
Because we all share this identical need for compassion and
happiness, we are all the same. We must minimize the divisions amongst
humanity; such as appearance, cultural, religious or philosophical
beliefs, etc. because it is foolish to dwell on these differences while
our basic natures are the same. No matter how strange the behaviour,
or how different the face, or unique the dress; humanity is one. We
are all brothers and sisters and this small planet is our home. If we
are to protect this home and share its beautiful wonder, we must not be
self-centered, deceitful, covetous or non-virtuous. We must be sincere,
open-minded, confident, and compassionate with ourselves and each
other, and with our home. If we develop kindness, patience, logic and
morality we can expect a whole new era, conceived in an atmosphere of
peace and harmony at every level of society, from a genuine feeling of
increased individual happiness through the practice of compassion and
Resolutionism.
At the heart of Resolutionism is the recognition that in the midst of
a magnificent diversity of life, we are one human family living on
one Earth who share one common goal: happiness. To achieve this
goal, Resolutionism is founded on respect and compassion for nature,
universal human rights, economic, political and social justice, and peace.
Therefore, Resolutionists believe in and affirm a commitment to the
following interdependent principles for a new way of life, with
Universal Respect and Compassion of Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness
Resolutionists respect the Earth and all life in all of its infinite diversity.
We recognize that all beings and phenomena are interdependent, and that
every form of life holds precious value and certain unalienable rights. We
accept these truths with a duty to protect those rights, and to promote the
common good, and to prevent harm. With understanding, compassion,
and responsibility to sponsor political, economic and social justice,
Resolutionists secure the blessings, bounty, and beauty of our planet, for
ourselves and for future generations. We affirm this by accepting the
inherent dignity of all life and all natural phenomena, and their potential,
guaranteeing them fundamental rights and freedoms. Resolutionists
realize that with any increased power, knowledge or freedom, comes
increased responsibility to care for the community of life, by developing
and transmitting positive values, traditions, and institutions that support
and secure the meaningful livelihood of Earth’s human and ecological
communities.
Universal Ecological Responsibility
Resolutionists believe that we should protect, restore and maintain
the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems. We believe that all natural
processes that sustain life must be protected from harm as the best method
of both human and environmental preservation. Therefore, Resolutionists
would like to adopt at all levels of society, sustainable development
regulations, establishing and safeguarding viable nature and biosphere
reserves, including land and marine areas, to protect Earth’s life support
systems, maintain biodiversity and preserve our natural heritage. This
includes the promotion of the recovery of endangered species and
ecosystems, the management of reduction and elimination of the use of
non-renewable resources, and the use of renewable resources and the
eradication of harmful consequences of human activities. In order to
fulfil these commitments we believe that it is necessary to take action
to avoid any possibility of environmental harm, even when scientific
knowledge, data or proof is limited, incomplete or inconclusive, a
precautionary approach must be applied.
Resolutionists believe that we should adopt patterns of sustainable
production and consumption that safeguard against activities or
initiatives that would cause environmental harm, and make responsible
parties liable for any harm, no matter how small, significant, cumulative,
indirect, long-term, or irreversible.
Resolutionists believe that we must internalize the full environmental and social costs of all goods
and services in the selling price, allowing customers to make the best
decisions for their wishes, ensuring responsibility on both the buyer and the seller.
We must ensure that our decision
making processes address the need to prevent pollution of any part of
the environment, allowing for no build-up of hazardous substances to
the ecosystem, including a sharp reduction or ban of the use of any
radioactive or toxic materials, and greenhouse gas emissions. We
must reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials used in production and
consumption systems and act with restraint and efficiency when using
resources, and promote the development, adoption, and equitable
transfer of environmentally sound technologies, and rely increasingly
on renewable energy sources such as solar power. We believe that we
must adopt lifestyles that emphasize the quality of life and material
sufficiency in our finite world.
Universal Political and Economic Justice
Resolutionists believe that in order to better care for the global
community of life, we must build democratic societies that are ethical,
just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful. We recognize that while
all nations are sovereign, they too are interdependent. To help affirm
this faith, we must ensure that all communities at all levels guarantee
human rights and fundamental freedoms, and provide to all an equal
opportunity to realize their potential health, intellectual, artistic, ethnic,
or spiritual humanity, promoting social and economic justice, enabling
everyone to achieve a secure and happy livelihood, that is politically,
socially, economically, and ecologically responsible. To achieve this,
Resolutionists believe that we must strengthen our democratic processes
and institutions at all levels of society.
To affirm this, we believe that we are ready for a new democratic
global government, that ensures transparency and accountability in
governance, inclusive participation in all decision-making processes,
and equal access to justice. To realize this, we must support local and
regional societies, and global civil society as a whole, while promoting
the meaningful participation of all individuals in decision-making, and
protect the rights of all to freedom of opinion, expression, assembly,
association and dissent. We believe we must institute effective and
efficient government that upholds the rights of all while supporting local
and global cooperation and sustainability, and acting with transparency
and accountability in the name of the common good.
Resolutionists believe that economic activities and institutions at
all levels must promote human, social and/or environmental development
in an equitable and sustainable manner. To do this, we must ensure that
all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protection,
and equitable distribution of wealth within nations and amongst all
nations, to enhance the financial, technical, educational, health and
social resources of all.
Universal Social Promotion
Resolutionists believe that we must adopt global policies and institutions
that guarantee the right of all to clean and potable water, fresh air,
uncontainable soil, reasonable shelter, adequate sanitation, food
security, education, healthcare, and all resources required to secure a
sustainable and happy livelihood. To achieve this, we must recognize
that allocating the resources required for this will take national and
international effort and interdependence. We must advance the study
of human and ecological sustainability, and promote the open exchange
and wide application of the knowledge, and financial, technological, and
social supports and resources to promote the general welfare of all, and
to relieve all suffering.
In order to affirm this, Resolutionists believe that we must apply
strategies that uphold the rights of all to develop their capacities, and
pursue their aspirations, enhancing equality, eliminate discrimination,
and empowering every human being with universal access to healthcare,
education, and economic and social opportunity, as well as active
participation in all aspects of economic, ecological, political, civil,
social, cultural, and spiritual life. We believe we must strengthen all
communities and all families, integrating into our lifestyle through
education, media, and other means of lifelong learning, the knowledge,
values and skills necessary for a sustainable and happy livelihood,
including the contribution of the arts and humanities, the sciences, moral
and spiritual education, as well as raising awareness of ecological and
social challenges at the local and individual level, and on a global scale.
Universal Peace
Resolutionists believe that we must treat all living beings with respect,
consideration, and compassion, living in harmony, with freedom from
strife and an end to war, recognizing the importance of the environment
and preventing cruelty to animals, avoiding and eliminating to the fullest
extent possible, any harm.
We believe that we must promote a culture of compassion,
tolerance, and peace, by encouraging mutual understanding, supporting
solidarity and cooperation amongst all people of all communities,
including the global community.
To affirm this, Resolutionists believe that we must implement
comprehensive strategies and policies that prevent harm, avoid conflict,
and use collaborate problem solving protocols to manage disputes.
We believe that in order to achieve this, we must promote moral and
ethical respect and consideration, enhance social, logical, and ecological
education, strengthen global law, and empower all to actively contribute
to sustainable peace and happiness.
In the interest of global security, Resolutionists believe that in
order to achieve this, we require demilitarized national security systems
to a level of non-provocative defensive postures, while increasing
international and global defense and protection measures, all of which
converts most of the destructive military resources to peaceful purposes,
including social and ecological restoration. We recognize that this
includes the outright elimination of all nuclear, biological, chemical and
toxic weapons, and all other weapons of mass destruction, and we must
reduce and eliminate private and personal weapons to the best of our
abilities.
We require that as individuals, and as a global community, we
uphold the rights of all to a healthy natural and social environment that
is supportive of human dignity, happiness, health and welfare, while
governing all of our affairs in ways which are peaceful, and politically,
economically, and ecologically sustainable.
The Resolutionist Analects
By Aaron Nordquist
Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved