'Politics' may seem an odd choice of topic for a site that professes 'A Philosophy of Happiness and Hope'. At first glance, it does not seem likely that power and control in 'any' arena could possibly narrow the gap on Truth, Wisdom, or Happiness. There are those (perhaps many) who would maintain that as a result of the fight for and the use of power and control, the gap is widened. I would make the case (based on previous thoughts in previous posts) that to know balance, one must know extremes; and politics serves as a wonderful object lesson in extremes. Therefore, I believe a case can also be made for the necessity of politics, not only based on practicalities (someone has to make the rules), but also supported by our very human need to occasionally embrace malevolence. It is less objectionable / more acceptable to excoriate power as represented by those in control than it is to reveal this need for resentment/rancor/malice/hate inappropriately towards undeserving innocents. This sounds harsh - many would disagree that there is a need - but there is truth here - everyone needs a bad guy - we can't love everyone all the time.

If we define 'Politics' very broadly as 'the ability or inability to obtain any position of power or control' then it serves a purpose by allowing us to appease a guilty pleasure. We can soothe the savagery from a couple of different directions:

1. We can channel this inner villain by being one of those who seek the power and control and play the game. Admit it ... We all do this on some scale at some point or points in our life, and we know it is ugly, and (on some level) we enjoy it.
2. If we are unsuccessful players, or if we open our eyes and close the gap on Wisdom, enabling us to see the error of playing politcs, then we can justifiably call forth our esoteric enmity to slay the dragon that is not us. Again, we all do this and it is not only acceptable, but practically required; especially in an election year.

So what about the maxim (as preached in previous posts) to DO NO HARM? How can one safely avoid harming others and still feed the beast? I think our justification is that it's monster vs. monster. We feel that we are not truly harming another human being but rather attempting to subdue evil or (especially if we're playing the game) advance (our definition of) good. It is a thin line, but as long as it remains a war of words most of us feel there is NO HARM DONE. And at this stage I believe that is mostly true. But as the winner advances and begins making (and enforcing) rules and regulations and if the Beast is then overfed to a point where the Beast is hungry all the time, human control becomes an illusion and monstrous power becomes the reality. And at this stage Doing Harm masquerades as Advancing Good.

DO NO HARM. It is a difficult maxim when one in a position of power and control thinks they know best. It is a dodgy (at best) proposition even when one who merely aspires to a position of power and control thinks they know best. So perhaps the key to managing politics is for one to realize that they may not know best. Yet in a (so-called) democracy it would be difficult to win an election (or get a promotion) if your campaign slogan was "I don't know what to do" - even if the second part proclaimed, "but with your help I'll do my damnedest to figure it out." Most people would only hear the first part, yet if we all voted for these enlightened individuals, we would experience something much closer to a democracy.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to completely avoid politics. We are either politically active (aspiring to or utilizing power and control), or we are subjected to politics, or (oftentimes) we are both participating and subjected in multiple roles. Even within the context or confines of a hermetic lifestyle there is likely an inner struggle for power and control between the spiritual, rational, emotional, and sensory aspects of one's humanity. And this is perhaps the truest form of politics; and one from which we can learn a lot.

Think about it. This inner struggle for power and control is a struggle because we are attempting to better ourselves. It is a struggle because we do not know what is best. The perversion of politics that we often see in government and business is a struggle because EVERYBODY knows what is best.

But it does not have to be that way. By knowing that I could be right and admitting that you could be right (sound familiar?) I have opened an avenue for dialogue. And if I take it a step further and not only ask for your help, but for other's input as well ... And then if I get really crazy and empathetically listen for understanding ... Wow! Think of the possibilities.

Just as my inner struggle strives for balance by examining extremes, so too must our sociocultural struggles. I do not believe we will ever find ourselves short of corpulent invectives from extreme perspectives. And this is how politics will narrow the gap on Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness - by identifying extremes to better pinpoint a centered path. It may not always be 'the' centered path, but by using the extremes to help us focus, it should be something we can live with.

The problem then becomes finding dynamic leaders to take us there. It seems that those who want to be King have already overfed the beast, while those who admit (at least some) ignorance appear underfed, sometimes emaciated, washed-out, and muted when put in the spotlight. Then even if this transition is made, it is not unlikely that the previously desirable humility gorges itself on the surrounding riches it suddenly deserves, and begins the cycle of illusion again.

Perhaps the answer begins with learning. Perhaps with more extensive, specific, in-depth study of extremes as represented by some of history's greatest thinkers, one could grow into a Philosopher-King of one's individual inner world. Perhaps this learning and experience would then encourage discipline and better prepare one for political leadership. Perhaps there should also be fewer spotlights to discourage overfeeding.

As previously stated politics will always provide fringe elements to serve our occasional need for righteous wrath. Additionally we must learn from and focus that indignation, which in turn will help us to narrow the path; first individually and then socioculturally.

Perfect centeredness and balance requires knowing all extremes. Perfection in anything is an unattainable ideal; but we should keep that secret from ourselves. The lesson from politics is to DO NO HARM by striving to know all extremes. And if enough of us stand up and admit "I may not know what is best," then we have inched that much closer to Truth, Wisdom, and Happiness.