The vast majority of people, if given the opportunity, do want to make a positive difference in the world.

Yet, a gross disparity exists between the deeper aspirations of people and the capacity of our social and political institutions to assist in bringing forth a more enlightened and benevolent society. Projected internationally, this disparity places the American people in a position of both being envied for their material well-being and vilified for the world's problems. Even more ominous is the enormity of the gulf between what beliefs and values are most important to the overwhelming majority of Americans on the one hand, and on the other hand, the actual behavior of America's leaders both internally and globally.

Americans may have achieved much materially, but now the challenge is how to use our knowledge and wealth for the benefit of all humanity and our planet. In such a beneficent context, the artificial polarities of social class, race, gender, political parties, and religious and non-religious could not thrive. Guided by higher aspirations of our hearts and higher consciousness, we can then know what actions to take. The alternative is continued polarization and chaos.

With such enormous numbers of Americans – voters and non-voters – identifying with and aspiring to be more spiritually evolved and involved in positive ways, it is important to recognize that our dominant social and political institutions do not reflect this higher calling. Therefore, what if "walking this talk" became the first priority as individuals and as a country?

Under conditions of extreme urgency, people commonly find ways to move beyond being focused on themselves to helping others. Right now, between impending military, ecological, political and economic crises, we have ample urgency to motivate people to at least know what they do not want to occur. But, in the absence of a clear sense of what we do want, a form of inertial paralysis can set in.

On the other hand, there are infinite compelling positive reasons to choose and act differently in new ways. These "reasons" emanate from an enormously compelling and attractive force that is the voice of our higher reason, higher self, and heart of hearts. Taken together, this provides a more profound context for appreciating the interconnectedness of creation and of all life on this planet – one of unity within diversity.