In today’s world, many long for change. People want to see changes, they want a world that will know how to deal with burning issues, not only recognize them but also offer valid solutions and finally – solve them.
We can quickly list the main questions that the world as a whole is facing today, even those that they may soon have to face. However, perhaps even more difficult problems lie hidden, and they are the possible root from which all of this that is already obvious emerges. Some of these roots are, for example, ignorance and materialism.
International organizations, such as the United Nations, with various special committees, sometimes fail to reach an agreement on the necessary immediate action. Issues such as water crisis, global warming, increasing amount of destructive weapons, and poverty, to name just a few, are still without a solution. We are destroying the world with our own hands, while those who are in a position to do something often cynically deny the existence of these problems.
N Of course, many individuals and organizations are diligently working to solve these problems, but their efforts often prove to be insufficient in eradicating them, as the same problems continue to persist and sometimes even worsen.
One should not despair, nor lose hope and faith in the human ability to grow and overcome challenges. As the Greek myth vividly illustrates, hope remains forever trapped in Pandora’s box, always within reach of mankind. However, hope alone cannot redeem the world if a person remains inactive and unwilling to change.
Perhaps the attempt to change the world by creating new structures and international organizations that would agree and act correctly is not sufficient. Undoubtedly, it is necessary, but is it enough? Can we truly change the world for the better by relying solely on signing and following new agreements, while the very same individuals, who are the cause of most of the world’s problems, remain unchanged? Is there a possibility for us to truly act for the betterment of the world without a fundamental change within ourselves? one as one and implement at least the most obvious, absolutely necessary steps? Is it enough in today’s globalized world to apply the right solution only in some parts of the world, while the rest opposes its implementation?
Will we wait for a real catastrophe of such proportions to start taking action? Or will we finally unite, as Hollywood directors imagine, only to fight against some evil extraterrestrials. However, such action would be only a reaction to great suffering, and not action based on intelligence or the ability to predict and direct. Nevertheless, the urgent need to act is current and real.
It is quite clear that Gandhi’s message is true, that we should be the change we want to see in the world. We cannot seek to change the world if we ourselves do not become what we seek. Instead of focusing solely on external global solutions, we must also pay attention to our personal, individual ability to change, Moreover, it is unnecessary to emphasize the importance of focusing on her – because what is the use of establishing a perfect system if the person managing it remains unchanged?
It goes without saying that “being the change” refers to a change for the better, because if someone wants to change the world, and is not an extreme fanatic, it is always a desire for positive change. Therefore, it is important to clearly understand what that entails, because change just for the sake of change can lead to an even worse situation. It is important to find a forward direction in the world that surrounds us. We should seek a new and better world that will build better people.
Can we imagine ourselves as better individuals? Not in the sense of having more of what we already possess, additional devices and technology, but as better individuals – with new virtues and abilities, with a higher consciousness that will be closer to the archetypes of Justice, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness discussed by Plato and other great philosophers.
Can we envision ourselves with virtues that we still need to awaken? Do we have trust in ourselves, trust in the shared human destiny? Is our current state the best state we can achieve? I’m not talking about what we can have, but what we can become… Can we imagine being better? If we can, then we already see what we need to become, and that means we are already connected to it. Our task is to walk the path that leads there, to act daily guided by what we deeply know is good and to invite anyone willing to hear, who shares this longing for change in themselves and the world.
It’s not an instant solution, if such even exist, nor is it easy… But it is worthwhile – perhaps the only correct direction. It seems that everything related to humans is complex, almost nothing is solved easily. But there is always reason for hope because humans, in their essence, as ancient cultures say, are not just flesh and bones that will disappear, they are much more than that. Ancient cultures explain humans as beings that are simultaneously spiritual and material, they It represents a transitional state towards unimaginable sublimity, a bridge between heaven and earth, spirit and matter.
Philosophy as a way of life gives a precious and wonderful contribution, it brings us closer to the eternal archetypes of humanity and thus enables us to achieve fullness of life. It helps us see for ourselves that life has its direction and purpose, that it moves and evolves. Someone might call it fate, meaning or path, someone dharma. Philosophy shows us the path we need to follow, and that is the change we strive for. It also allows us to discover that we always carry with us a box of hope that is much more important than any evils we may also carry. It is the light that dispels shadows. It is up to us to be hope for the world.
It is a marvelous adventure to transform ourselves into a new and better person, to lift our heads towards change, because profound change always comes from above.