Spiritual Social Commentary

Indian spiritual philosophy offers a useful concept called ghora, which can be loosely translated as lower pulls, and aghora, the higher pulls. The world of human beings has always been a struggle between these two pulls – the archetypal clash between good and evil that has been described using different words and images in different cultures and religions.

• The Sanskrit word ghora can be translated as "terrible." Ghora attitudes, energies, and actions pull the world down into the cesspool of delusion, fear, anger, hatred and greed.


• Placing "a" before a Sanskrit word generally means "not" that thing, so aghora thoughts, intentions, and energies lift the world up to higher goodness, consciousness, rightness, respect, and light. 

One example of the difference between higher and lower energies, vibrations, thoughts, actions and results of those actions, can be demonstrated by looking at two hypothetical future scenarios based on the current economic crisis sweeping this country and the world, with so many people losing their jobs, homes, and livelihoods.

If the higher aghora energies win this contest with a "majority of the vote," many will find the growth, blessings, and lessons available in this and every kind of downturn that can challenge our spirit and resources, individually and as a society. Through good thoughts and right actions, people moved by the higher pull to light, oneness, compassion and positive thoughts will have an opportunity to step up above the frey of usual mediocre living to shine their light more brightly, to be kinder to others, and to share what they have more generously.

Ultimately the goal of this higher aghora nature is to bring liberation from that which covers our spiritual awareness, and creating more positive actions, thoughts and energies in this world can create a much better field within which to attain greater personal and spiritual heights.

The higher approach would lead to greater prosperity of many kinds, while giving people an opportunity to give and receive more freely during what would likely be a short-lived economic crisis. Artists would give their works; doctors and dentists would be moved to offer their skills to help those who are suffering but unable to pay for their services, parents would help their children and vice versa; we’d see friends helping friends with small loans or gifts to help them to make it through this time.

People would delve into their greater wisdom and spiritual awareness to be true Christians, true Buddhists, true Hindus, and true Muslims. The societal consciousness would expand beyond its recent focus on greed and materialism, and shift to a greater universal view of interdependence and empowered selflessness. Those who have bank statements that report more than they'd ever possibly be able to spend would give generously to help those who need a relatively small amount just to keep their lives together. Humanity would shine forth in its greatest glory. Some would say that to force this kind of sharing is called socialism, but when it done voluntarily, with a deeper understanding of spiritual laws, it is simply the expression of a good and decent human being in an evolved and conscious society.

If the lower ghora energies were to have their way during this economic crisis, then greed, fear, hoarding, and divisiveness would take hold. Then we’d see families on the street with nowhere to go while homes across the nation sit empty, or bought up for pennies on the dollar by fat cats who just want to guzzle more and more into their bottomless pits of greed. Ghora energies could create almost a third-world situation for our country and the world.

A traditional American Indian story tells of an elder who was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me, a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person.”

One child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The elder replied... "The one you feed."