Bridging The Spiritual and Mundane

 Excellent writing. The author is a bit paradoxical in that I sense he thinks he has the truth and is wise. I agree that he has the truth and is wise but I also think the tea party types think they have the truth and are wise. The practical test to check that we are actually seeing an integrated view is in doing rather than only in saying. As France's of Assisi said: "Preach the gospel always. Use words if necessary."  This author is stating the gospel as I understand it. I have been involved in anti-racist activities for quite a few years even though I am a white person. My parents were born in Germany and during World War II, I had relatives in the German army  And the American army. The Germans killing 6 million Jews partly motivated me to be rather anti-racist. I have been involved in teaching cultural diversity and ant-racist activities and I am now writing a book about anti-racism.   The work I am doing is not work in the sense that I am following what I think is natural for me based on how I understand the world.  The spiritual and the mundane are united when I do that.How I understand the world is very similar to how the author understands the world except I don't like the idea  that I am wise and others need my wisdom. Again the paradox  for me is every day I say:  "May I be wise and use the wisdom for the benefit of everyone."
 My feeding the poor is worth much more than any writing I may do about racism or anything else. Thanks for the opportunity to respond. Warm and kind regards to everyone.

 I think it unwise (characteristic of ego) to assume anyone "needs" whatever I regard as "my wisdom."  There is a vast difference between practicing love and being or becoming a loving person.  I think that wisdom. like love. lies in unity rather than separation, acceptance rather than judgment.  I can only believe others need my wisdom if I separate myself and judge them to be less wise than me, which is IMHO  very unwise.  If I am wise, I will act out of that wisdom without judgment because it is who I am, rather than what I do.  If others judge me as wise, and value that wisdom, that is their perception and their choice, having nothing to do with me as a person.  My personal goal is to lose all motivation to practice wisdom or love; rather, being inseparable from them.  I think this can be done in all three domains: natural, social and transcendent. My own beliefs are embodied in this prayer: "God, I offer myself to You, to build with me and to do with me as You will.  Relieve me of the bondage of self,  that I may better do Your will.  Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Your power, Your love, and Your way of life.  May I do your will always."  Being mindful that the God of my understanding is all encompassing and is within, rather than outside, of me.

When reflecting on the infighting that is part of most every social and environmental action group it seems clear that an ability to step outside ones egocentric view of issues is crucial. Interest groups seem to have a relatively easy time when it comes to defining their goals for the welfare of society; the problems arise in deciding the course of action. 
How can a person step outside their ego driven perspective without a spiritual awakening? Only the recognition at a deep level that everyone and everything is eternally connected brings such an inclusive point of view.
In the ancient times in India, as outlined in Vedic texts, there was a ruling class that was accountable to the renounced spiritual leaders. Unfortunately the spiritual leaders of today have been usurped by the technocrats and their own personal failures. Unless we find a way to return to the spiritually based values, ethics and morals that set the standard in ancient and simpler times it does not look good for the long term health of modern societies.
In this regard the fundamentalist edges of religions have an important point to make, although their methods lack insight for enlisting broad support and cause even more division.
In our zeal for freedom we have permitted abominable behavior which leads to a loss of respect for our institutions. The result is an artificial separation and an inability for people of good conscience to make a difference.

 Thank you for your words.  The older I am the simpler my thoughts and projections have become.  I once thought "I know what I know" and lectured, gave seminars, weekend retreats and thought "how spiritual I am". Now I know nothing.  I have lost my words.  I question 'my intent and  my purpose" when  pursuing 'good works' or attempting to create change or most of all when interacting in my relationships. I have discovered being in a personal emotional relationship as a partner or spouse, being a parent, a householder with all it's daily minutiae is the most challenging 'spiritual' journey.   Being clear on my intent and my purpose  seems to affect the long term goal.  Remembering Teillard de Chardin's words: "We are all Spiritual Beings here having a Human Experience"  colours my actions and reactions and this appears to create positive change all around me.

This is a very thoughtful writing.  A perfect world would be one of total peace, harmony and freedom - good would triumph over evil.  Trouble is that everyone's perception of good and evil is different.  It's all in how each one of us sees it.  There is no reality, only perception.  The only way that I can achieve total peace, harmony and freedom is to stay in a constant state of surrender and forgiveness.  However, I am only human and, therefore, not perfect.  there is no such thing as a "perfect world".  All I can do is STRIVE for HUMILITY,  "perpetual quietness of heart".  All of this is just my perception, my own truth, which in my opinion, is what spirituality is all about - my own personal truth.  I cannot change the world or even one other person, but I can affect a change in another person, if they are willing, by changing myself.

 Bridging implies the acceptance of duality as reality. This itself is erroneous. There is no divide. Creation is one whole.
Wisdom based on duality creates problems which have no intrinsic solution.
Let is awaken from this nightmare of duality.