What is Deep Conscious Capitalism?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

 

"Mindfulness must be engaged. Once there is seeing, there must be acting. Otherwise what is the use of seeing.? " - Thich Naht Hahn, Peace is Every Step

Buddha said, since all things are created in mind, all things can be changed in the mind. Maybe there is a way to deconstruct this modern mythical dragon of capitalism, once we are no longer afraid to look at it closely. Maybe we can all be part of a multipurpose solution rather than part of an ever growing boomeritis of poverty, war, injustice, pollution, institutional and social-mental dysfunctions of all kinds.

Here is a great blog on Social Entrepreneurism and Conscious Capitalism .

I have coined the term ‘deep conscious capitalism’ to distinguish it from ‘conscious capitalism’. The latter is about taking individual responsibility in making conscious choices about what to buy, whom to buy from, where to invest, how best to conserve energy, cut consumption, recycle waste, donate money, volunteer and take care of our health and our personal habitat. Deep conscious capitalism is about taking collective responsibility and engaging collective mind to look deep within our collective unconscious, mental perception and conditionings to find a shared solution to a universal problem. It is time for us to collectively tune into our hearts, listen to our inner knowing, guidance, and wisdom to examine our dominant modes of perception based on duality, reductionism, linearity, and solidified concepts that are not grounded in real life. As Dalai Lama said recently, “To meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but also for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources and, through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment." Also see Gandhi & Buddhist Economics

Good News from DAVOS: Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates called for a new form of "creative capitalism" and pledged $306 million in grants to develop farming in poor countries, leading the charge for corporate responsibility at a major meeting of business chiefs. "If we are serious about ending extreme hunger and poverty around the world, we must be serious about transforming agriculture for small farmers, most of whom are women," Gates said. [Source: CNN].

I was inspired to email Bill Gates in late 1998-99 that his surplus wealth has the potential to bring enormous well-being IF directed towards empowering social entrepreneurs, and grassroot efforts by small groups and individual innovators, women and minorities across the globe. And that investment in 'building lives', 'basic infrastucture', local self-sufficiency, local skills, healthy community relations must accompany his emphasis on 'saving lives' in order to be effective in the long-run. A change of heart and expansion of consciousness is the best way to correct poor-rich imbalances. Great power always come with great responsibility. If that responsibility is not met, civilizations perish.