The World Is Getting Better, Not Worse

We all want to make the world a better place to live. We live in extraordinary times when there is more wealth and opportunity on the planet than ever before, yet there is a feeling for many that things are getting worse and civilization is heading into decline. The Noble prize laureate Pearl S. Buck famously said, “The test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless members.” We have come a long way from a time in human history when it was estimated that 90% of the world population was in some kind of slavery or servitude.

Yet we still have a long way to go to reach the better days we all desire. Hundreds of millions are still living in extreme poverty, and greed and corruption still exert their corrosive effect. We see the world’s troubles and lose hope and courage. We fall into the trap of the gloom-and-doom scenarios. But it’s too easy to let pessimism get in the way. If we mistakenly convince ourselves that the world is lost and real, positive change cannot happen, then we are less motivated to take action — when in fact, this is the time we should be at our boldest. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

The truth is, from the spiritual perspective the world is getting better, not worse. There is a New Day of mystical renewal for humanity on the horizon. We are all contributing to its arrival. This is the time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds will be lifted a little, and all humanity will interact more directly with the Divine. Mystical and religious schools have been professing this New Day for centuries. Yet this is not something that can happen by itself. We have to collectively earn this brighter day.

The dramas we see on the world stage are the growing pains of an evolving society as we are heading toward this more illumined age. The challenges of humanity are real, but don’t buy despairing scenarios. This is the time for you to make your stand — to aspire to greater spiritual heights, and to contribute to society for the greater good. Metaphysics teaches that Earth is a spiritual schoolhouse, and we are all students in this spiritual school. All our actions, creativity, and experiences are part of the maturing process. Civilization is not only developing materially but growing spiritually, and we are at the beginning of a spiritual renaissance greater than the world has ever known. As exciting as new technological wonders have been, each of us has an even more vital opportunity to develop our spiritual nature and finally unveil some of the mysteries of life that have been hidden for so long.

In living a spiritual life, cooperation and compassion are key. We are all equally valuable in the eyes of the Divine. Demonstrating compassion is essential for a healthy and thriving civilization. Our humble planet is not a randomly created ball of rock that somehow got lucky to generate life as we know it. It is part of the grand design of the universe. We are part of this grand design. While there are grave problems to face and mistakes to remedy, looking at the big picture, the same collective spirit of good is there. It’s essential if civilization is to continue to progress that each of us holds society itself in the highest ideals of compassion, even when it falls short of those ideals. The divine spark of life guides humanity, regardless of how well we individually respond to the divine.

Be discerning. With the advent of the information age, there is greater opportunity for universal education. Yet with misinformation and disinformation traveling faster than truth, it is more important than ever to distinguish what is true from what is false. We may have differing opinions, but opinions are not truth. Opinions and beliefs are personal, subjective perspectives and not necessarily objective truths. In developing yourself spiritually and in bettering society, you want the truth. If you discover you are wrong about something, quickly acknowledge and correct it. Truth sets you free. There may be a sting at first when you realize you accepted something that was not true, but that sting is temporary. Once you let it go, new, healthier opportunities will open up.

Ultimately, the success of civilization lies in the bedrock of its spiritual foundations. Live life from the eyes of the infinite spirit and take decisive action based on compassion — not anger, fear, resentment, hatred, or frustration. Those lower emotions are the tools of destruction. Refuse to project your own worries on civilization as a whole. Instead, hold to the highest ideal of yourself and others. Do this, and your perspective on life and world affairs will greatly change for the better, and you will see the world through the loving eyes of the divine. Remember: You are essential to life and the divine process. If one soul were missing, creation would not be complete.

Written by Dimitri Moraitis.
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