An Ecologically Civilized Nation
Why does the formation of an Ecologically Civilized Nation (NEC) take so long? Everything corresponds to the management of the Common Good and a level of consciousness that ensures interdependent well-being for all manifestations of life.
These are not just ecological projects, but fundamental collective values. It is a mistake to organize ourselves only around material prosperity.
Nor is it about “physical balances”, without denying its importance; e.g., water cycle, biodiversity… An NEC is governed by “human laws”, “natural laws” and “spiritual laws”.
We are the mirror of our collective consciousness. We need a new consciousness, synchronized with Creation, where there is co-equality between all forms of life—the foundation of the ethics that must bring us together to avoid destroying nature.
Life is an act of mutuality, for a shared destiny as a nation. We must push political limits and better manage common goods.
Our governance is weak and requires a profound human-institutional reform and ensure the development and transformation of everyone, and everything. Obviously, it goes beyond the interest of some sectors.
This governance must build an “eco-democracy”, which guarantees eco-efficiency and eco-competitiveness, empowering communities and citizen institutions. Thus, a new identity would emerge, far from homocentric.
Aspiring to another threshold of development requires ecology and awareness. It is our state of consciousness that defines the transition we long for. All, the fruit of a great spiritual awakening, imbued with new forms of discernment, reciprocity, communication and communion.
Today, we commune with other humans, where the relationship with nature is only utilitarian. Reciprocity and communion are the scaffolding of human, ecological and spiritual justice.
Many spiritual dimensions are incorporated into the jurisprudence of rights and responsibilities. Rights are not just legal instruments; They are moral imperatives, representing a system of normative values.
The right to life, nature, and future generations… all have spiritual attributes. Rights are not only assigned to our “bodies”, but also to our “souls”.
Collective rights make sense in societies that recognize the interdependent reality between human beings and nature. The rights of nature form a reality inseparable from human rights. Today we talk about human rights as if they were superior to those of other forms of life, excluded from their rights.
It is not a hierarchical relationship, but one of mutual interdependence. We need an enlightened way of experiencing reality; e.g., we do not need to destroy nature to do human good.
An eco-spirituality serves to realize that: (i) the earth is not a thing but a living being; (ii) we have a natural mind and a natural body, and (iii) there is no differentiated intelligence between humans and nature.
Here, some eco-spiritual principles. “The whole of life”: all forms of life have an inherent right.
“Total interdependence”: all forms of life are interdependent.
“Take care of what is created”: we cannot hand over to our descendants a country whose state of life and well-being are inferior to that which has been given to us.
“We are not owners of nature”: we are part of a matrix of life, with rights and responsibilities.
“The rights of future generations”: we cannot limit the self-realization abilities of those generations.
“There has never been a right to destroy”: there will be no NEC if we accept destruction for destruction’s sake.
“Spiritual values matter”: we need a revolution of values towards spiritual, humanistic and collective values.
Everything is more than an empathetic connection with nature. We must respect Creation and open ourselves to the law of nature. This corresponds to a unique level of consciousness.
The future of humanity depends on the “dance” between human consciousness and the consciousness of nature. An NEC does not respond to a nature-centered paradigm. That is not the way.
Nor is it a question of choosing between a homocentric approach and an ecological one. This is an ecological falsehood. The imperative is to find a higher vision of reality, born of elevated consciousness.
The “great bridge” between Human Law and Natural Law is Spiritual Law, and the vehicle to cross that bridge is the law of nature. Denying it validates irresponsible behavior and condemns our natural DNA to extinction.
Alfredo Sfeir Younis – Dzambling Cho Tab Khen – February 13, 2023 – Opinion Column in El Mercurio newspaper