Capitalism was, as are all such ideas, sourced from an ideal – in this case the “Invisible Hand” of enlightened self interest espoused by Adam Smith. It was an ideal that, in part, considered self to be connected to a greater whole. Capitalism’s growth, because it was subject to relatively few restrictions, was immediate and spectacular. Over time the ideal that was at its core became more and more hidden. Its “purpose” was hijacked by forces that found it could be used and leveraged for more personal, more selfish ends…a rational self interest championed by Ayn Rand and others that considered self to be wholly autonomous and separate.
When we begin to explore the nature of unity steeped in a secular world view of separation questions are unavoidably evoked. What place does the notion that all on this planet – indeed all in the Universe – are fundamentally and irrevocably connected potentially occupy? What is the discourse, the narrative, that will invite those with a vested interest in maintaining the illusion of separation to step into a conversation of another possibility? What are the costs of not having such conversations? Answering these questions requires us to move beyond a very real conflict between divergent world views.
As a way to approach answering these question one would do well to consider that in conflict there is no Connection. Rather than searching for ways to cease conflict a more workable approach is to explore how connection can be recognized and leveraged. Considering connection as an outcome vs. peace as an outcome opens us to other possibilities. Acting “as if” we are connected prior to discovering the ground for connection may actually cause our connections to become viably visible.
We can look at this way of being as an experiment in ontological design. By organizing our ways of interacting around a presumption of connection we design ourselves to be connected. We creatively and intentionally develop our environments in ways that design us as the highest expression of a consciousness of abundance and connection. This is the “Invisible Hand” in action.
