HIGHER LIFE AND ECONOMICS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 15, 19 January 1933, Page 8

HIGHER LIFE AND ECONOMICS

O£ late there has been much correspondence with regard to the spiritual attitude of man in relation to the economic situation (writes K. C. Anderson). From all accounts it would appear that the world is suffering a serious lapse in this direction. To the Church, Atheism, Communism, and to other causes is attributed the failure of man to lead a spiritual life No reasonable elucidation of the problem seems to be forthcoming. So, in consequence, I have askew the question, What is spirituality? Spirituality is essentially inseparable from a state of being; it belongs to the experience and understanding of the soul as a seeker. It is a state of happiness and peace where the mind is unruffled by the vicissitudes of life; and discovers and reveals itself in the spontaneous giving of the heart. It ia the joy of giving. . . . Now, every man at heart desires to be a benefactor to mankind, but a restraining influence prevents the expression of this highest attribute. Compassion pertains to the heart; man's true work has its origin in the heart, for the heart is the seat of endeavour. Love of work culminates in service to mankind. The restraining influence is the economic stress pressing more severely upon man at the present time than ever before. One of the chief problems before the world is to eradicate from man's conceptions the bogey of fear. Some people contend that human nature cannot change. Hence we shall always have fear. To say that human nature cannot chancre is a negation of all evolution. ... liike clay in the hands of the potter, man can be moulded by the genius of a higher intelligence. Repeatedly throughout history has Jhis fact been

demonstrated. Practically all civilisation is, at the present moment, being moulded by a soulless, inanimate system, that has far outlived its usefulness. A generation of youth is growing up to idleness, disillusionment, and in danger of degeneration. If such a state as now exists is allowed to continue, one can quite easily imagine the heritage that this decade will transmit to posterity. Once the world is free from financial bondage, much of the fear and worry that is holding back the spiritual development of the world will pass. Work, education, cultural pursuits, and the appreciation' of life, forms of nature, and scientific advantages are all necessary for spiritual development; and for this operation, choice, leisure, and a sufficiency of money (tickets i of exchange) are necessary. Once Jhe thoughts of man can be taken away from the limiting trivialities of his environment, then will he turn toward a higher realm of being. The fundamental operation of the economic system and all phases of society should be directed toward that end. •