It started out as a typical week in China until everything changed. My realization that something important was happening did not come about until several days later. Only now am I able to fully appreciate the entire influence of my last week’s work. My changes were palpable in my emotions and reactions to things around me. My excitement came from my recommitment to discovery learning, larger social problems, universal ideals, humanity, etc.
Manifestly my changes started out slowly at first. I ostensibly started taking late night walks after class to practice my Chinese; however, I had greater questions in mind. I had been thinking an awful lot lately about the plight of humanity. After careful reflection the trigger points for my writing came from the gravity of social problems at hand, a discussion with a Chinese student, and listening to a program on NPR on exporting American technologies abroad. The first point seems to be from a general brooding of mine for the discovery of “truth”. Now for a little digression on why I have been so interested in discovery truth.
I have been reading Gandhi’s autobiography and the “Brothers Kazaramov” which both deal with similar subject matter. It is interesting to see how the two different works both reflect a basic need to understand humanity and our place within the universe. Overall, I was struck by a line I will paraphrase from Dostoevsky: “The more I love humanity the more I despise people”.
Needless to say this thought struck me as being an odd one at first. However, after thinking about it and reading further I was definitely intrigued by it. Dostoevsky also uses a lot of foils in his stories for good and evil and references biblical ideals often. This novel is terribly interesting to me in my search for greater purpose, understanding, etc.
Gandhi’s work deals a lot with his greater search for understanding across cultural, social, ethical, and religious grounds. Gandhi’s life is a remarkable story of staying true to himself. His pursuit of justice, truth, and the greater good is truly astounding.
These two works have really been the sources for my thinking lately here in China. I am truly fortunate to have stumbled on both of them and feel that I am growing as an individual by trying to take their lessons to heart.
The essence of my frustration seems to be in the underlying ideals of these works. Can I really have the strength of personal discipline of a M. G? Or I am able to master the religious discipline of the pious Father Zossima from the Dostoevsky? In either case, I have been questioning myself and my actions lately. This negativity lead me to my break through which has been a source of hope for me!
My epiphany came to me while on one of these two hour walks last week. I often would stop to jot down my thoughts on different ideas in one of my journals. One such idea was my universal anger at cultural relativism. I was upset at some of the negativity that is drawn from sources of difference within societies. “Why do they do …. so and so.” In any case, I felt that it was a weak way of passing judgment on someone else who we often know so little about, but carry the same human faults that we posses.
I was also upset at the basis for all judgment questions. There seems to be an underlying need to feel superior at the expense of another human being. This innate disposition for some people is so common place that the perpetrator becomes completely unable to see the world from someone else’s perspective. In fact, they are so blinded by their own self-righteousness that they forget the essence of humanity, the blessings of this earth, etc. They live in a world cut-off from reality and are; therefore, lost to reality. Only through greater reflection are people able to realize that in reality we are all the same. We have the same daily needs. We are attracted to the same ephemeral desires. We are all social creatures. We all count of the earth for survival. It is my hope, dream, and purpose to try and find ways to bring about greater connection between peoples to strengthen our bounds together.
Ideas about superiority have so many flaws in them that it should be in vogue to realize our similarities at this point in human history. Biology has found that human beings are the closet relatives among creation. Religious works from all major religions tell us to honor all of creation. Universal human rights are pushing us all in that same direction. What more does a person need to hear to believe that all such differences are created out of superiority, fear, ignorance, arrogance, etc?
Reading Dostoevsky helped me come to this epiphany. Truly I felt a sense of purpose by his hope that universal love and happiness was close at hand! Nearly a century and a half later we have made some impressive leaps forward in some areas. However, in others we are no closer to reaching these lofty goals. Inasmuch I was stricken by the need to try and continue to carry the flame of justice, love, and truth to our fellow human being and all of creation!
The next great piece of discovery came for me when talking with a Chinese student at a local pudding store. This student confessed to me a feeling that America was the greatest hope for improving the world. He expressed his want for universal human rights, the betterment of all, etc.
I walked a middle road as to any show of my true feelings. In most matters in China I still try and conceal my true feelings as a mode of self-preservation. In reality, I know that I am very safe here; however, I would never jeopardize my freedom by trying to say more than is appropriate. In any event, I was struck by this student’s interest in universal human rights and admired his passion.
I was also moved by an interview I heard on NPR last week regarding American business exporting technology and investment into needy foreign countries. Obviously, the catch is that the business needs to make money as a mode of promoting future foreign investments. Nonetheless, the ideals struck me as being a strong indicator of what future American investments can do for third world countries. By increasing the viability of resources for the sick and starving American can truly transform its world image.
I feel that American business is a wonderful trigger point for such projects. Natural resources are a need for everyone. Without them people cannot survive. If American companies are able to continue to use research and design to come up with future altruistic projects the world will be a better place. These projects can revolutionize the way that people get and receive resources. These resources will be not only be serving the people but helping fund the world’s economy. It seems like a win-win solution to me. In this way, I support any political policy which pushes for increased funding for research into better designs. These jobs could be the staple of a new work force that could reinvigorate America’s stalling economy. The next piece, foreign investments, could help build a new feature of the American economy, promote universal ideals, etc. These two different sectors could work together to revolutionize future business. It could help change the view that America is only looking for an easy buck abroad and improve the image of tainted foreign investment companies like Halliburton.
I believe that there is still a long way to go for America to reach such a lofty set of ideals. Fighting the forces of bigotry, isolationism, arrogance, etc all stand in the way of truth. Almost two- hundred years ago Dostoevsky dreamed of Russia making such a great leap forward. The following Russian revolution did not result in the spreading of universal ideals. However, I feel that there is much to rejoice for in these pursuits and will continue thinking about them at length.
Happy Easter and blessings to all,
Erik
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