THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606270027
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DIANE TENNANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 71 lines
SYMBOLICALLY, what is the significance of Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson coming to Virginia Beach this weekend?
Some may see it as a chance to have their copy of ``Spiritual Politics'' autographed. Others may seek only to attend Sunday's workshop with the founders of the Center for Visionary Leadership in Washington, D.C. McLaughlin and Davidson hope participants will find a deeper meaning.
The idea, Davidson says, is to look at world events, from elections to earthquakes, from a perspective that takes account of spiritual symbols and motivation.
``What is behind the things that we see happening in our world today?'' he said. ``We look at this from a spiritual perspective. What are the growth lessons that humanity is learning?''
The two use a spiritual approach in their teaching of conflict resolution, consensus building and decision making, but it is broadly spiritual, rather than sectarian.
``Let's not be too attached to the forms of our religion and our beliefs,'' McLaughlin said. ``Let's remember the essence. We find the workings of what is called in the East `karma' and in the West `as ye sow, so shall ye reap' working out in many disasters.
``For example, we ship pesticides that we can't use here to Third World countries, then we buy them back on foods we import. That's a very interesting example of karmic feedback loop.''
The authors find symbolic meanings in major world events, and interpret them from a spiritual perspective. Humanity, they say, creates crises in an effort to allow souls to make the right choices.
``Christ never said `do it because you have to do it','' Davidson said. ``He gave choices that would lead to the kingdom of heaven. We have the opportunity to choose for the good of all, to move away from greed, hatred and materialism.''
Take Love Canal. The 1970's toxic waste disaster in Niagara Falls, N.Y., is symbolic, they say.
``We have a Love Canal, which is symbolic of the mother, the birth canal, and it's being prostituted for profit by Hooker Chemical Co.,'' Davidson said. ``We see a tremendous number of examples of this everywhere you look.''
McLaughlin served on Bill Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development, which sought consensus among environmentalists, industrialists, community leaders, government officials and more, on community development.
``What I saw was a new process, because it transformed the people in it,'' McLaughlin said. ``They learned to think as the other thinks - to walk in the shoes of someone else.''
If everyone learned to think that way, everyone would be working for the good of the world, not just individual gain, the two said.
``Giving is 10 times more fulfilling and rewarding than trying to possess,'' Davidson said. ``Ego-driven behavior really brings misery and a soul-oriented behavior brings happiness. It's in your self-interest to be spiritual, if you want to put it that way.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Corinne McLaughlinn and Gordon Davidson hope their workshop will
provide a deeper understanding of spiritual politics.
Graphic
BOOK SIGNING
Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson will sign copies of their
book ``Spiritual Politics'' from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Barnes
and Noble on Virginia Beach Boulevard, and from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday
at the Heritage Bookstore on Laskin Road, both in Virginia Beach.
McLaughlin and Davidson's workshop, ``The Inner Side of World
Events,'' is from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Clarion Hotel,
4453 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach. The fee is $70, or $50 for
students with valid ID. Advance registration is not required. by CNB