Most group distinctions are artificial thought-forms, that only exist because we bring them into being through choice. Our restrictive and judgmental ideas about difference, are based on lifelong conditioning and groupthink, and are perpetuated by consensus reality and mob mentality. Any intellectual recognition of legitimately perceivable groups, absent the goal of mutual improvement is ignorance, and an exercise of useless reason. Class warfare, racism, sexual chauvinism, gender inequality, excessive nationalism, religious God wars, xenophobia, genocide, and ethnic cleansing are all the offspring of artificial group distinctions, or unnatural emphasis being placed upon naturally observable groups. When we assemble any force of thought or action, not for peace, and without consideration for the greatest good of all people, and which does not amplify the immutable truth of universal human commonality, we fail tragically.
But how can we begin to expand our acceptance of human commonality, when every generation is inculcated in new traditions of prejudice, which are encouraged as normal, natural and healthy?
Edward Bernays argued in his book, Propaganda, that the manipulation of public opinion was a necessary part of democracy:
The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. … We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. … In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons … who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.
State worship is an essential part of every government’s command and control, from the tiniest banana republics, to imperialist hegemons like America. This is why nationalism, patriotism, and national identity are continuously reinforced. Nationalism as we know it, is the result of a form of state-sponsored branding. The national identity is a consumer identity. Like Manchurian candidates, we have been made into Manchurian consumers, who subconsciously buy when we are triggered by our brand masters. Every state’s emblematic propaganda is worshiped by the consumer-citizen as a super-logo; a brand Juggernaut. Patriotism is merely deeply-rooted government brand loyalty. Modern national pride is the culmination of a lifetime public relations campaign of psychological mind-control techniques. These techniques involve an immersive theme-ride like experience of created and manipulated histories, flags, symbols, icons, heroes, theme songs, and repetitive pledges. National identity acts as a consumer lever to manipulate the emotions of the masses, for the purposes of power regulation and the fulfillment of agenda. The existence of excessive nationalism is a symptom of a deeper problem in the collective consciousness, which is continually being exploited. The inherent prejudice in unnaturally-produced nationalism causes a form of cultural blindness, which prevents us from seeing the obvious ways we could co-exist in the world as a co-operative human family. There is a grand union beyond nationalism which reveres all people, and which is rooted in what is real, versus what has been created or produced. His-story has shown that nations and governments come and go, but people remain, and therefore people are the ultimate foundation of what is real and worthy of our collective recognition, respect, and protection. Instead of narrowing our allegiances to only include our favored nation, let us sing an anthem to the marvelous human being. Let us fly the flag of sisterhood, brotherhood and oneness. Let us raise our hands to our hearts in the revelry and glory of friendship, respect, and common decency.
The battlefields of life were first meadows and gardens. We made them into battlefields, and by the same power, we must release the dark spell, so they are meadows and gardens once again. Through our nobler thought choices, we must reclaim the physical and metaphorical lands of opportunity, and build peaceful gardens in our hearts, communities and throughout the world. The truth is now as it was yesterday, and as it always will be, that the world is — as we are. The outer world is a reflection of our inner selves. We must always strive to reflect the highest vision of ourselves. We must endeavor to create cooperative societies. We must throw out the old, fear-based thought-forms and evolve, and begin to live as higher beings of compassion. All discomfort comes from suppressing your true identity.
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