William Bloom on Barack Obama's victory
Dear Friends


Barack Obama's victory today has moved me and I feel tears of joy and suffering.

Walking the dogs first thing this morning and then sitting in meditation, it felt as if the whole planet had gone still, pausing and contemplating the meaning of this victory.

It is obviously meaningful that the most powerful nation on earth will now have a leader who is thoughtful, liberal and compassionate. His ethnic background is symbolic of a new inclusion of all peoples. This is a substantial and passionate shift.

Eleven years ago I also felt a wave of deep emotion when Tony Blair became Prime Minister. Finally Mrs Thatcher's culture could be put behind us and we would return to a more fair and relaxed society. Whilst I watched the great celebrations of that victory night in 1997 I felt twinges of remorse and envy. My godfather was a Member of Parliament and, had I chosen, I too could have made a political career. A few days later, I said to my mother that I wished I had been at the party. 'Don't be stupid, dear,' she replied. 'They're just politicians. Wait and see.'

Of course, she was correct. They were just politicians. Some things changed for the better. Others didn't.

Politicians and statesmen do not stand separate from their communities. They emerge from them and their power comes from how deeply they are linked to the spirit of the times. Just as Tony Blair came into power riding a wave of public sentiment that wanted a new style of leadership, so too does Barack Obama.

But now come the realities of government. As the former Governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, said: "Politicians campaign in poetry, but have to govern in prose."

Another way of looking at this is that campaigning happens in the world of ideas, which now have to incarnate in real life. As anyone who has ever led a project will know, there is a huge difference between the idea and its materialisation. It is rarely simple. The largest ship in the world is the oil tanker, Jahre Viking, which is 1,503 feet long and 226 feet wide. This is approximately five times the length of a football pitch. When the ship's captain orders the ship to turn around in stormy waters, the manoeuvre is difficult and takes time.

Barack Obama not only arrives in troubled times, he is also subject to profound historical influences. Nelson Mandela's liberation was also a time of passionate celebration and signalled great changes. As did the fall of the Berlin Wall. But, as time passes, the deeper dynamics of world history and the collective karma of humanity are played out. The original victory and its celebration begin to stand alone, isolated from the realities that both preceded and followed it, the injustices and dangers of real life.

And there are real dangers. No matter how much we aspire to a world of peace, the collective psyche of humanity still holds deep wells of cruelty and blind power. Abusive behaviour requires clear boundaries and on the world stage stability and peace are, sadly and realistically, only possible through balances of power. Of course, we pray and campaign for a different global culture, but sooner or later Barack Obama will be challenged by a foreign threat — and he will have no choice but to act. We shall again see the karmic struggle of our species' development.

So I celebrate and am deeply touched by his victory. But I know too that he is subject to the forces of history. As he begins to mediate and resolve the various conflicts of the United States, he will need the prayerful support of all of us, especially when his shine wears off. People forget how John Major and Tony Blair slowly achieved peace in Northern Ireland. How long will relationships with the Arab nations take to come back into harmony?

This mindful and philosophical awareness of political realities encourages us to be grounded in our appraisal and support of Barack Obama. Our spirituality — and the essence of spirituality is faith in the wonder and benevolent energy of existence — guides us to be deeply optimistic.

We need to celebrate today. And then maintain, patiently and persistently, a daily practice of strong support for humane values. Pray for grace and for miracles. Hold Barack and his ideals in the Light.


All my love.

William


www.williambloom.com