Think It Right !
In the depths of the First World War, people from many countries gathered around Rudolf Steiner in Switzerland, to help build the magnificent first Goetheanum building. Deeply disturbed by the slaughter of a generation of European youth, and the violent uprooting of an old European culture, they asked Steiner how to deal with their helplessness, or counter this terrible brutalization of life.
His suggestion was that as best possible they "think it right" ; namely that they read the newspapers and inform themselves of the situation, in all details and in real depth ; and having done this, think exactly of what would be needed to redeem it. How might they themselves - but also the warring parties, and whatever their faults, their own national political leaders - best think, act and communicate to change the course of events going forward, "unravel the threads" of the massive conflict, and find a realistic, achievable way to peace ?
These recommendations suggest a definite process - one which might actually also be applied elsewhere. What might the step in such a process include ? Some possible components :
- To build up an inner image or picture of the situation to be considered, based on real events, facts and circumstances of the situation - not least, including the needs and emotions of its participants.
- To discern what insights and actions might be needed, whether on one's own part or the part of participants, to change the situation for the better - first of all on the level of thought.
- To take any and all possible steps - inner, outer, social - to turn the insights gained into realities.
These potential solutions could then also be held as imaginations, adjusting and improving insights and actions in an ongoing way.
How real is our world of thought ? Well, if we build a house, or any machine or technology, first of all we think it, and at some point create a clear design or blueprint. In our own lives we think or imagine actions, make plans for the future, often long before we ever realize them. Our dreams and plans can be durable - we may carry and refine them even over years, so that when we finally do carry them out, it seems to others as if we manifest them almost “out of nowhere”.
If we think of mathematics or the laws of science, these are also things completely invisible, of which we know nothing until we learn or discover them. Yet they’re connected at all times to things in the real world, and have active, powerful applications there.
To "think it right” in our world is not different than to build personal plans or intentions for our life, except that here the activity is turned outward – and that we do it on behalf of others too.
To think our world right also has this in common with mathematics, with a scientific law or a blueprint : that the thoughts must be true, be accurate to the real world if we hope them to work there. The bridge we build in thought must be able to bear the traffic of real life, in the real world.
To think problems right requires real and sustained effort. But it also makes us healthier in the process. To a religious person, this activity might even be seen as “striving to discern the will of God”. At the very least, it's a useful and responsible way to prepare for prayer.
To take up world problems in this way may contribute more to solving them than we ever see. And it’s as needed now as in the days of that first world war.
- Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
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