Esoteric Politics
A talk given by Stanton Stevens at the Theosophical Society March 19, 2017 – based on the esoteric teachings of Henry T. Laurency.
Read the handout.
Read the transcript.
An Overview:
In our times, humanity continues to work on the difficult problems of choosing leaders, and what kind of government and state can be trusted with power over citizens. There are great difficulties that democracy has not solved. And there are new problems, including corruption of the press, such as networks like Fox news that have decided that they can make more money telling people what they want to hear than by presenting objective news. The forces of enriched greed are at work on many fronts. America and other countries are being put through the test: can they see through the lies and false promises of populists whose real goal is dictatorship? The rights of individuals must be protected, yet people always have the choice of surrendering them, out of lack of appreciation for the value of those rights and how hard they are to regain.
An understanding of the law of sowing and reaping would be of benefit for both leaders and populace. Few understand that justice is inevitable. Few understand that their personal choices are what determine their happiness or sorrow in future lives. There are many areas where just seeing things as they are would help, rather than living in a fairy tale of blind devotion to one’s country as if it can do no wrong.
Esoterics considers the function of an ideal state to be the protection of the rights of the individual from powerful groups, corporations, majorities, minorities, and from the state itself. Government can ensure that business competes on a level playing field, and do not destroy the environment or the lives of individuals in the process. Esoterics says that greater power must always come coupled with greater responsibility. Those who we entrust political power must be capable public servants, putting the general need ahead of their own personal glory, ahead of the needs of their personalities. They have the difficult task of governing an emotionally focused humanity, that is often manipulated through its worst nature: hatred, anger, vengeance, fear of those who are different. Too often, we see politicians using these factors to try to gain power. They are assisted by rich individuals who feel that they must keep humanity divided and fearful for them to preserve their power and wealth.
We have come a long way from the tyranny of priesthoods, and people are educated to the degree where it is possible for them to choose good over evil. Now the great propaganda wars have begun, and we will see if humanity can keep its head. Great leaders have saved us before: Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt. This time we will all have to step up.