Democracy lives here imperfectly, but has produced brilliant children. IF we should stay close to the guiding light of words penned by Thomas Jefferson, we will succeed in moving towards a better democracy for all who can really conceive of it. To conceive properly, the foundation of the document of the constitution must be understood and the republic for which it stands must understand its profound beauty in that it honors individual rights, liberty and justice for all and the insight of separation of powers.
Our American Declaration of Independence of 1776 states in the first paragraph that the course of events impels this nation to separate from "Political Bands" and "to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind..." Re-appreciating and studying closely the tremendous POWER of these words, the decision is made to adopt the finer and higher road that "Nature's God" has determined for mankind from the very beginning; from the Source to which Jefferson refers taking us on a journey back to our original birthright. He capitalizes the key words realizing the core of the Truths in his words. The Laws of Nature entitle Respect to the Opinions of Mankind. In other words the Laws of Nature govern the ascent of Mankind, not the laws of man. And he is stating here that the laws of man now to be determined by the new nation will be in Honor of the deeper Laws of Nature from which man derives all he has and not from a prescribed set of rules determined by a tyrant for his own purpose.
This beacon and example of Nature is the original oracle by which we are led. We forget this more often than we can remember or even know, but the words in this Declaration have forged themselves in American identity and guidance for as long as the Nation survives. And this Nation will survive if it stays true to the great DNA from which we have evolved. We are Entitled to our individualism and self determination. The drama played daily as the American Experience is proof in action to Jefferson's words connecting the undeniable Laws of Nature.
The second paragraph reinforces the first with the logical conclusion that "All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Created equal for the entitlements above stated and implied with the word "among" that Nature/Creator has bestowed other rights to be accorded to human being, leaving open the exploration of Democracy. The Declaration goes on to describe a government that is build on these concepts derived through "Nature's God". They are not referring here to any religion, but to the Source connecting all.
From these wise words we can be truly inspired and freely guided to deeply understand the Laws of Nature. Studying the Natural world we can see the process and beauty of survival and that Nature is kind and giving but has rules. Learning about the Natural world we free ourselves to progress using correct language and insight to Know on a deeper level what Source is telling us. We have no other source as we cannot trust the interpretation of a few who contrive words and deeds and color them for an ego-centric purpose.
So as the Declaration honors the INDIVIDUAL, each of us has the responsibility in the study and learning process to the highest level in order to form this "more perfect union". The POWER here is given to the INDIVIDUAL. When the individual steps up to their greater responsibility, the leadership will be decided and determined upon greater expectation and the leader will lead following the elevated demands of an educated population.
It is very important to remember and understand that "created equal" means in opportunity and assurance for the "'Pursuit of Happiness". Our constitution guarantees liberty and the right to become the best person we choose to be. We come into the world with varying qualities of financial opportunity, health, intelligence, beauty and so on. We are entitled only to Life, Liberty, working toward our own Happiness, and Respect according to the specifics described in our Declaration.
As we as individuals pursue real knowledge and uncover the Example in the Natural Creation, more ancient than man and much wiser and successful, we will create a more cohesive, sustainable, useful and livable world. We can get there if we honor these principals and use our minds and bodies in useful and generous ways. The ego has its place, but unity with the guidance of the Natural World will bring us towards understanding that we live inside a Miracle and we are the biggest part of it.
The Founding Fathers understood our need to honor something greater than ourselves and to work toward understanding that. The Laws of Nature, of Creation are at the core of our connection to survival and they validate our pursuit of Excellence. The American Nation was founded on these principals and it is now up to each individual to understand this Truth on a deeper level and get moving in the direction that is beckoning us to where we all really want to go. Being a part of the great Soul of Creation, it is in our DNA to work to really Know this.
The words of Jefferson were well thought out and reflected the thoughts of the leaders of the time or the Declaration would not have been ratified. Ancient wisdom has guided mankind for thousands of years, but before the conception of America, had never really been put into practice. With the insight of these remarkable words and guidelines, and dedication from a critical mass of American citizens, we can rediscover the deeper meaning and become aware again of the prose and its deep connection to Natural Law. Shared responsibility begins to have a beautiful tone when married to the study of Natural Law and the words of the Declaration. Those who become successful have a great opportunity to teach and those who need to learn have the opportunity always to do so, even if on their own. Entitlement is not found in Nature and those who construe to assist persons in need must do so within the general guidelines of the Declaration and Natural Law. Charity also does not exist in Nature, but with mankind as the greatest creation the concept of charity was conceived and is our best remedy for assisting those in need to help themselves back into thriving. Human populations will always have those dependent on society, but when we make it easy for dependence on society rather than self, Natural Law is obviously violated. Security is not a part of Natural Law, yet we are entitled to defend our liberties against tyranny. In fear of losing liberty, we must guard against building an over sized military rather than building security through inner strength and be an example of this to other nations.
Our America has grown in the centuries since its conception due to the solid foundation on which it was build, but it has gone astray with complex solutions to problems that require more simple common sense attention. The key to our success will come from what is True in our being. We have our guiding lights and we have only to understand the connection that was understood at the founding of the great nation we live in. The human mind can extrapolate from simple wisdom readily available to keep creating the world imagined by those early leaders. America is still attracting people desiring freedom, individualism, and self determination. The American ideal
is a birth right blessed by a Knowing nation and guaranteed by the Laws of Nature.
