Neale Donald Walsch's Memo to Obama: "It's a Spiritual Problem"

The author of Conversations with God kicks off a conversation with Obama

Neale Donald Walsch on Changing The Story

Thank you for your courage, vision, and fortitude as you sought the presidency. I note that you have said the biggest problem we face today is the economic problem. I respectfully offer a different view.

The difficulty we face is that we keep trying to solve humanity's problem at every level except the level at which the problem exists.

Our problems-economic, political and military-are actually symptoms. They will continue to persist, Mr. President, until we become clear that the problem facing humanity today is not an economic problem, it is not a political problem, and it certainly is not a military problem. 

The problem facing humanity today is a spiritual problem, and it can only be solved by spiritual means.

Our difficulties have to do with what we believe, and with one very specific belief-the belief that we are separate from one other. The biggest challenge facing the world today is the changing of that cultural story. And so, I would like to suggest two spiritual principles to guide your Administration.

The First Guiding Principle: We Are All One. 

Decide that every decision, every choice, will be based on the truth of our singularity.  And while singularity does not require similarity, work hard to demonstrate through your leadership that difference does not have to mean division, that contrast does not have to produce conflict, and that individuality does not have to create incompatibility.

The Second Guiding Principle: Everything in Our Social, Political, Economic, and Spiritual Ecosystem Interrelates. 

Decide that the mutual dependency of all living things will be recognized and honored, that the relative needs of every species of living organism within the ecosystem will always be kept in balance-because they will always be kept in mind.

As you embrace these principles, here is what I challenge and invite you to do...

Redefine self-interest. When making decisions, take into account the needs and interests of everyone on the planet, even though doing so will offend and anger the nationalists and militarists in our own country. Make it very clear, and help us to see, that what hurts one, hurts the many, and that what benefits the few must benefit the many, or, ultimately, it benefits no one. In all cases do what is in "our" best interest, yet help us to enlarge the word "our."

Realign the economy. Make it clear that it no longer works for 5 percent of the world's people to hold 95 percent of the world's wealth and resources. You were roundly blasted during the presidential campaign for wanting to redistribute the wealth. Ignore that. Go ahead. It's exactly what the world needs. In a fair and judicious manner.

Rescue the environment. Do nothing that will further harm our environment, and everything you can to rejuvenate it. This would be a dramatic statement that each individual and every living thing is important and connected. We are moving dangerously close to the time when we may not be able to experience "life as we have known it" because we have insisted on subordinating the needs of most species on this planet to the desires of only one: the human species. And not even all members of that species, but only a few. Not even the largest number (which might have some logic to it), but by far the smallest: the richest and the most powerful. Please put an end to that.

Redesign education. Make it available, with equal quality, to all. And challenge our educators to teach principles as well as facts. Principles such as fairness, equality, generosity, compassion-and oneness.

Reintroduce tolerance.  Help us heal, Mr. President, by your example. Help us become tolerant once again of other people and their ways of being.  Help us to notice that this was the founding principle of our democracy, and that when we abandon it, we abandon what it means to be American, rejecting the very reason that America was once the hope of the world.

What we need now in the White House is not only a tactful and brilliant politician, but a spiritual leader. Mr. President, I did not miss that on the evening of your historic victory you said: "This is our moment, this is our time ... to reaffirm that fundamental truth: that out of many, we are one." 

I beg you now to you turn your personal awareness into public policy. 

With deep admiration and respect.

Neale Donald Walsch is the author of the Conversations with God series of books. See www.nealedonaldwalsch.com.