The Equilibrium Institute of the Americas (EIA)

 

Where balance is a way of life!

 “We’re not to Left, We’re not to the Right, We are in Front!”

Verbum sapienti sat est. Urbi et orbi .  A word to the wise. To the city and to the world, to everyone.

 Reviews: “There is hope that people and their institutions can learn to become better stewards of the earth…a matter that deserves wide attention and much practice.” -Earth day Founder J.M. “The need for all of us to learn how to live with;  love in our hearts, respect for others, a desire to live in harmony, and to develop the ability to confront unjust and unintelligent situations with nonviolent ways of effecting genuine and lasting change is strongly evident.” -Dean of Humanities M.H. “We appreciate the opportunity to support the vital role you play.” –Sony Electronics  “Laudable” –G.S. Einstein Institute

Contents:

Prelude- Bridging the Future                             pg. 3

Single Subject Cognitive Study Results          pg. 7

Contigency Theory Introduction                        pg. 12

What is Peace?                                                 pg. 17

Against All Odds                                                pg. 26

Creating Peace and Addressing

the Causes of Violence                                     pg. 37

Principles of Equality:

International Security Council Constitution         pg. 42

Prelude

Bridging the Future: The Vital Role of Wisdom & Constitutional Reforms

     Fascinating relationships exist between the mind, body, society and nature. This book explores the mystery of human potential and how it may be maximized and how problematic behaviors may be better identified and prevented. The subject matter is about how to institute or reinforce care, which in turn, gives rise to the possibility for potential to be free and uninhibited.  The holistic health approach at the core of my work presents real promises that only readers can actualize, but we will examine why the possession of knowledge is not enough in and of itself to improve conditions. 

     My books are collectively titled, Contingency Theory because they contain bits of wisdom collected from every corner of our world highlighting some of the greatest contributions to the efforts of securing individual and social progress defined herein as Healthy Social Development.  Healthy Social Development includes learning how to support and protect life with dignity and respect, and how to gain security through collaborations, sharing knowledge and accepting responsibilities.  Individual accountability, integrity, empowerment and supportive conditions are suggested here as ways to achieve success in life. In the context of this book, empowerment includes opportunity, knowledge, and commitments to healthy development on a personal and collective level.

     All societies need standards of success which are collective and all cultrual groups need universal definitions for the terms toxin because toxins are a detriment through the corruption of the gentic code and thus limit all forms of potential including success.   Formulating commonly shared definitions, support and defenses to maximize success and reduce or contain toxin-based problems is essential to obtaining real security because as Dr. Caldicot elequently argued in the State of the World Forum (1999) we will not be able to address other important issues that life on the planet faces. 
 

     To betray your own welfare is to betray the primary function of social constructs like rules, laws, traditions, designed to discipline the wild beast in humanity so that civilization may prosper through cooperation instead of being lead by impulsive and immature or regressive behaviors.  Taming that beast within takes a plan, it takes the installation of purpose, belief in healthy values and a respect for the knowledge and experiences gained by humanity and supportive conditions in the environment.  Otherwise, ignorance and neurosis reigns and virtues of tolerance and the appreciation for diversity is lost as the connection to collective experiences is replaced by a narrow fixation on immediate satisfactions versus the recognition and reverence for mutual reliance that sustains life. 

      Volumes of research shows how teamwork is drastically more effective than individual efforts.  This is true in part because humans are error prone (Bogner, Sue 2003).  Checks and balances help us self-regulate.  Yet the line of tyranny is trespassed in many sectors of society from family dynamics, the workplace, political realms, down to things like wage to rent ratios, interest rates, industry molopolies, and disproportiante tax systems.   If people want less tyrrany they need to assume more responsibility and find ways to safely stand up for themselves or offer effective resistance when necessary.  Grassroots movements are key  to lasting social reforms.  

     Working cooperatively to identify, reduce and prevent critical problems requires being informed and making intelligent decisions.  By raising awareness, choices and improved opportunities to create and implement solutions are presented.  Raising awareness can also be helpful in preventing or correcting problematic behaviors.  Therefore, the accessibility and demonstrations of healthier options are essential. For example, public programs like recycling continue to encourage a positive modification of destructive or wasteful behaviors.  Real policy reform comes with the demands made by the public upon the representatives we select to represent us. In cases where leaders fail us, all out reforms are made by people taking power into their own hands and getting the job done.  What is called action by some is called resistance by others.  There is no justice like direct justice.  Ahimsa is the law of compassion.  It states we must act and we must be responsible for our actions and when possible, calculate actions as to cause the least harm and encounter or create the least resistance.  This may be easier said than done and explains why most social change movements result in war between those fearful of change and a fear of losing a sense of power (which is a distortion) to be replaced with uncertain futures, jobs, or status as a result of change.  We see this cycle repeat itself over and over in history with civil wars erupting in the face of dictatorships. Often the unrest results from interventions orchastrated by opportunitists that have broader agendas (Poelchau, Warner 1981.)

      Admittedly defining hazards and priorities-central to all empowerment and leadership programs- is a controversial problem in and of itself.  Furthermore, how do you know which information sources to trust?  Which path may lead to a better end?  Perhaps the wider the survey, the broader the understanding, the closer in proximity to truth one becomes.  Newton’s 4^th law suggests fact is fact only so long as it is relevant. When new evidences prove it not so, it is replaced.  Thus, fact is an ever changing landscape versus a fixed one.  The danger here lies in the ability of convincing oneself so fully as to be closed from knowledge, to foreclose based on faith or thought alone versus experience. Such a scenario showed itself in the battle between religion and science which continues to this day although both share more in common than either wishes to confess.  On a smaller scale the we can observe in the grind of a worker that thinks they deserve the low wage they are earning or an abused victim that rationalizes they somehow deserve the misfortune they suffer.  Thus, real change begins when individuals accept things are not as the assume, life can be wider than they dream, that possibility exists and that with improvements in their calculation of risks- their decision making, anyone in any rank can contribute and experience a better quality of life and improve their skills to manage their own  trials and tribulations. 

     Contingency Theory proposes a new American dream.   The purpose of Contingency Theory is to reinforce that life, liberty, and the pursuit of harmony rather than a more self-centered and fleeting pleasure of happiness is what any individual or nation should strive for.  If we are to be leaders, then happiness must exposed for what it is and not obsessively pursued, obtained or sold at the expense of others. Contingency theory is about becoming prepared, making better decisions for ourselves and our world.  Contingency theory attempts to provide a basis upon which erecting effective policies and procedures may flourish.  If we are to maintain our trust among nations and among the men, women, and children we hope to empower, we must exhibit behaviors worthy of respect. To deny any wrong doing is to accept defeat and the U.S. shall perish off this earth as quickly as she was born. A new light shines upon the face of liberty through the eyes of those who gaze here upon her.  It is the collective power exerted in times of struggle that will determine outcomes. People need a clear direction, we need to accept the burden now as opposed to mourning the consequences and we need to seize our courage to act with compassion as those around us exert destructive behaviors and invite us into impulsive behaviors that perpetuate destruction.

     Psychological studies put forward by psychologists like Albert Bandura, Ivan Pavlov, and Skinner suggest we learn from observing, modeling our peers, that people can be conditioned to behave one way or the other in the process of adapting to meet our own biological, psychological, and social needs which change with conditions. Generalized implications from Albert Bandura’s and Ivan Pavlov’s studies suggests that caring and compassionate actions may emerge as more popular lifestyles if more caring and compassionate actions are demonstrated.  The opposite is also true.

     It is for those reasons that education and training are presented here as being so important to individual and social development. Understanding the limits of education or other forms of conditioning on human behavior can be helpful in knowing the limits in the ability to persuade, produce, limit or extinguish behaviors.  Thus, I have examined and shared what I have found that explains human behavior. 

    Why foster patience, hope, respect, and the willingness or commitment to learn? How is that essential to global security?  The dynamic between self purpose and a critical understanding of how humanity is arriving in an age where we need to be cognizant and respectful of how our behaviors can dramatically limit potential or protect it, is explored here because history points to a need to be skeptical of our own assumptions or bias and remain open to learning so we can avoid repeating mistakes and make use of available intelligence.  

     The most difficult lessons in life can be uncomfortable, especially when it rearranges our perspectives and even incriminates us. Yet, the pain and suffering caused by ignorance and expressed through violence is far more costly than the challenge presented by learning opportunities that encourage us to become more humble, better informed and a more sharing tolerant people.  As you read it may seem like something is not clear, but the mind is complex and through time we can find the information becomes much more applicable. Even a partial internalization of new information has added value and if some of this information inspires further exploration on your part, then we are on the right track.  Gestalt Psychologist would explain this in terms of getting a part, versus understanding the whole.  So as Dr. Leroux asserted in his lectures on psychology (2001) embrace any discomfort, it may result in your own transformation or lead to discoveries. 

    The task of defining inclusive and realistic models for encouraging and supporting healthy development and for the achievement of potential is key to reaching collective agreements regarding standards. The Principles of Equality presented at the end of this text were drafted in response to a promosed Earth Charter which lacked essential concepts to help propose and demonstrate the importance of defining and agreeing upon healthy ethical tenants and practices which should be more universally practiced and promoted. While many of the items challenge us to respect and in some cases improve our multi-cultural traditions, we know such efforts are important initial steps towards attaining the rehabilitation required in order to honestly walk the path of peace.

     People and other life forms share many basic common needs including relationships, habitats, and resources. Yet, how well prepared are we to make contributions to keep the air fresh, the water clean, and the land free of erosion, free from poison, and the preservation of the diversity of life and ideas? By providing a context for the common good to become better understood, we can provide opportunities for well being to prevail in our thoughts and actions.

     Together we can build upon our foundation and prevent and repairdamages, provide shelters, and create healthier industries that in turn combats crime and moral and physical poverty.  Freedom comes at a cost and sacrifice is being made.  It is my opinion that we can direct the sacrifice to better ends, we can deny injustice in a way that empowers those responsible to reform because they learn it is in their best interest to do so.  We must make allies as we appeal to the heart of our nation and convince ourselves that to be free we must be caring, to be caring , we must be informed and to be informed we must beg the questions and confront the answers- not with disdain or hatred, but with patience, tolerance, and carefully implemented solutions.  The deliverance of justice is made with every small step that does not contribute to turmoil, cause suffering and every step that establishes or supports harmony. For this, we must examine ourselves.  As Martin Luther King Jr. summized, when the walls of segregation are demolished it is more fruitful to have established avenues of positive relations with former adversaries so that we can live harmoniously with our reformed neighbors and lessen the stress of our own new reality. The same can be said for any real forms of progress. 

     Controversy is inevitable when you swim against the stream. We need to shatter spells of misconception, to challenge rituals of devastation that lead us to divided unions ripe with ignorance and suffering.  If the fruit we wish to bear is wellness, then wisdom must prevail and all of us are playing a role…be it planting seeds or watering the fields.  Apathy is not consent, it is the demand for empowerment.

In Friendship,

R.A. Jackson

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author and publisher. EIA- Department of Peace. For Official use. Rev. 01/26/08.