Capitalism and communism are both materialistic ideologies, centred on matter as ground and goal. The contemporary political right and left are equally flawed. An integral politics embracing multiple perspectives is a little better but does not go far enough. Going further is a spiritually-based, contemplatively-oriented, ecologically-conscious, holistic and cosmic paradigm of political economy that places spirit or consciousness at the core.
In my view, the most impressive candidate of such a paradigm is the Progressive Utilization Theory (PrOUT) pioneered by my late tantric guru Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar or Sri Sri Anandamurti (1921-1990). Sarkar was a top-notch spiritual master of nondual tantric wisdom, a social activist and reformer, a polymath of many talents, and a Renaissance man. PrOUT is by far the most integral, broadest and deepest, and most pragmatically-attuned paradigm of political economy that I have come across, motivated by a non-tribalist universal sentiment of love for the cosmos and all creatures. This sentiment is crystallized in Sarkar's philosophy of neohumanism.
Without clear and uninhibited grounding in consciousness, all matter-centred ideologies fail for they do not attend to the deepest and most fundamental truth of creation and humanity: their ultimate nature that is spiritual, not material. Matter is but a modulation of consciousness and localized, contracted expression of unconfined spirit.
Yet, that said, would a spiritually-based paradigm of politics and economics be the panacea for the unabated travails of humanity and creation? Are we individually and collectively capable of creating utopia (or eutopia) through contemplative transformation and a spiritually-based political economy? Even with divine help and blessing, would humanity be able to create paradise on earth and be completely free of suffering, where all evil and darkness is no more, absolutely?
I don't think so.
I am deeply skeptical of such a possibility, no matter how lofty the vision and how much effort is invested in this project. For ultimately all that is born of thought, however sublime, fails and all that is rooted in self, however expanded, concocts suffering. Both thought and self have to come to an absolute end. This can never happen by self-effort, spiritual or social. This can never come by grace apart from true reconciliation and salvation in the One who bridges the fracture of humanity-creation and the Divine. There is an irremovable chasm between alienated, rebellious selves (finite or infinite) and the Divine Love who alone creates and redeems. This chasm is not bridged by spiritual practice or social service or eco-activism or initiation or prayer or enlightenment alone. None but Christ - incarnate, crucified, and resurrected - removes the chasm.
That said, this does not mean that humanity should do nothing and simply wait for creation to die a dark implosive death. Co-creative action born of deep spiritual insight and love, guided by a vision and verve such as that inspired by PrOUT is worthwhile, if not for alleviation of the immensity of suffering and remediation of evil in this fallen broken sacred creation. It just means we act without expectation of total resolution, illusions of grandeur, and hope of self-salvation whether via personal, social, or trans-agency.
True grace rooted in redemptive death and resurrection is the only bridge. The eschatology of Christ as our soon and coming King is the only absolute solution to a fallen world. In Christ, by Christ, and through Christ, this entire universe (or multiverse) will not only be reformed but completely recreated anew, beyond anything we could imagine or wish for or achieve by our own means, however enlightened we may be, however many of us get to be enlightened. For enlightenment falls far short of true reconciliation with God the triune Love and Life, true seamless reunion and dynamic loving conjoining with God in Christ, when and where all fracture is healed and the chasm sealed.
Now, all this sounds like a story. Point taken. Yes, it is a story indeed. But it is not just a story. With respect to Christ's redeeming and atoning death, that I have no doubt, for illuminating and convicting knowledge of this has exploded within. Nonetheless, I do not claim total realization of the truth of the eschatological Christ. Even then, a still small voice in the depths of aware being tells me this: the Christ story in the end times is no less than a story but it is more than a story. It is truth.
And this truth will be progressively revealed in time to me and to all of us as we approach the moment of His Kingdom coming in full splendour, even as the world becomes inescapably darker. But before His Kingdom comes, the Rapture of all who have been truly "born from above" (see John 3:3) will take place in a flash. Will we be ready when that happens? I pray and hope so.
So, come Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
