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SUMMER '73 LENS LAB
July 26, 1973
132
GLOBAL RESEARCH REPORT
RESEARCH ASSEMBLY CONTEXT
The Global Report is a summarization of the five documents
written in the 25 LENS Seminars held around the globe in Spring '73. This
report will be mailed with a cover letter to all of the Spring I.ENS participants
as a second follow-up contact.
LENS Seminars: April May, 1973
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. The Social Manifest
II. The Human Declaration
III. The Apologue
IV. The Tabulation
V. The 14 Point Guild Statement
Global Research Report
LENS Seminars: April May, 1973
THE SOCIAL MANIFEST
131 Page 5
July 26, 1973
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Each LENS Seminar compiled a document called "The
Social Manifest." The LENS LABORATORY undertook a brief, rather intuitive
analysis of these Social Manifests. Employing the same method used in the
seminar, social visions from all of the seminars were plotted on a Social
Process Triangle. Results are shown on the above triangle. It is striking
how minor were the differences in plotting from nation to nation, and even
from continentt to continent indicating the reality of global commonality.
Most of the proposals were aimed at the cultur.~1 arena with the political
and the economic arenas following ;n that order.
As former LENS participants will remember, the Social
Manifest is a statement of social vision, of three to five parts. Each
part is a statement of direction, or actional thrust, that would, if carried
out, activate some form of social change. Each of these, in turn, has included
in it four practical steps, or tactics, that would effect that change.
The one interesting exception to the emphasis on the cultural in the proposal writing was that three of the Bombay seminar social thrusts were plotted in Common Production on the Economic pole, and were the only proposals from around the world to activate the Production Process. One's general knowledge of the economy of India should be sufficient to make it clear why this would be applicable.
Chicago
Global Research report 132Page 7
LENS Seminars: April May, 1973
THE HUMAN DECLARATION
| The second document which was created by the
participants at every LENS seminar was the Human Declaration. The participants
at the course brainstormed their present concerns. After each of the three
central lectures, they related those concerns to the four underlying categories
on which the lectures focused. On the final morning, a representative group
of participants compiled these statements into a Human Declaration. The
document produced in each seminar contained five paragraphs. They were
titled "The Times," "Care," "Integrity,"
"Fulfillment" and "The Resolve." This document is a
statement of stance on individual humanness in the 20th Century. The LENS Laboratory, during July, 1973, looked at the documents from all seminars and compiled their common insights into a document that is being presented as the Global Human Declaration. This document is designed in the same fiveparagraph construct as the original documents. The language used is also largely taken from the original work of the 25 April and May Seminars. |
GLOBAL HUMAN DECLARATION
| TIMES | In these times of radical change, technology which has given birth to a global village' dominates the social process. Man's traditional social roles fail to give him means to deal with the reality of economic, political, and cultural imbalances, thus leaving him with a feeling of loss of life's meaning. He experiences the breakdown of the family and is caught in a mire of meaningless symbols. Realizing that he is a world citizen whose very life is claimed by his global brothers, he seeks comprehensive structures through which to channel his care. He lacks tools to initiate inclusive procedures in renewing social structures across the globe. Man sees that equal use and distribution of resourcesshould be determined by the needs of all people but in reality are determined by other economic priorities. The vision of caring for the wellbeing of every man sustains man today as he struggles toward fulfillment. |
| CARE | The impingement of the times in man's own life awakens a care for all men and engages man in the struggle for clarity on the problems. This leads him to take responsibility for the establishment of viable structures to provide a full human life for all men. Such compassion for human needs is born of the universal sense of mutual care. Beginning with engagement in the local situation, then pushing beyond to care for, and involve one's self in the cares of all mankind, there develops the life long process of reeducation for solving the practical problems of our times, and for engaging in corporate, purposeful action. Man sees the local situation in the context of a global framework, and sustaining comprehensive proposals utilizing the contributions of all phases, he cares for his brother and is in turn cared for. The experience of this care has been described as "bearing the weight of the world on your shoulders" or life "drinking from a teacup, and discovering the cup is fed by the ocean." |
| INTEGRITY | In this experience, man accepts the responsibility to transcend himself to rediscover the needs of all mankind and to respond with courage and clarity to those needs by assuming any role required to respond to these demands. Integrity thus defined requires a man to decide his vocation relative only to the global need, and he assumes more responsibility using his full potential as a visionary and global pioneer. The situation requires radical expenditure in a concrete situation. There is a shift in his daily life as he sees that it is his responsibility to use more comprehensive and futurically oriented missional tactics that require him to risk all to implement practical care for every man. The experience of integrity has been compared to knowing the direction of the current but being willing to swim against it if required, and thereby risk all security. |
| FULFILLMENT | The quest for human fulfillment is attained in the very midst of life in the process of significant expenditure on behalf of one's neighbor, and the whole human community through all of history. The value systems, traditions, roles, and images of the past that pointed to a fulfilled life have collapsed leaving man empty and struggling to articulate anew what gives life happiness and contentment in the deeps. Man is pleading for a story that will tell him what existence is about and express his yearnings for peace, justice, and human structures. In embracing the burden of the past and the struggle of the present, man discovers that "his desire is fulfilled" in daily life itself. Man's awareness that he decides what constitutes a full life has radically altered his quest. |
| RESOLVE | In order to live effectively in the new society, we resolve to care structurally for the whole world by rebalancing the social processes. With hopeful vision of the new society, we resolve to joyfully accept this election. |
***
| It is apparent from the Global Human Declaration that global citizens are emerging into a new awareness of the depth human elements . |
THE APOLOGUE
The third document which each seminar produced was an
Apologue, or poetic statement articulating the meaning of life in the twentieth
century. The participants all took part in a brainstorm of words and phrases
describing life. The poetry was then gestalted into four categories and
a paragraph was written on each category. The LENS Laboratory analyzed
the content of the apologues and selected three which were felt to be representative
of the excellent quality of all the seminars. It was most difficult to
select only three for inclusion in this report, but space limitations necessitated
the selection.
From the primordial rocky cave of the globe emerges the
cry of a new being: Life appears in the breathing world as a whirling dervish
of wave, slapping the twilight sky, and flowing swiftly, calmly towards
the day's horizon, inhaling all that is, in wild celebration of new life,
The creature, birthed out of his muddy ooze, began a march.
As he perceived all that was around him, he was troubled. He saw that it
was all good, but that it lacked his mark. Then a dawn and with it, the
possibility of creating what was to come. His will persisted and he began
the casting of bridges of human consciousness.
His mysterious, vast, internal and external universe,
his life walk around the oases of wisdom and significance, and his final
plunge into the meaningful pursuit of depth understanding, became the catalytic
energizer that forged the creativity for an age of renewal. His mysterious
creativity birthed a new sense of community where gratitude for all life
was molded for global service.
Twentieth century man has been born into a time of the
shattering of the former dreams and visions. He has known the deep despair
that comes when cherished hopes are destroyed. Yet, this very shattering
has proved to be the unveiling of a surprising undreamedof possibility:
Nay, at the center of himself has been born impossible possibilities, calling
him forth to the building of a new age.
* * *
Somehow, at one time, the people of Guam heard that the
answers to the questions of man, "Who am I?", "Why am I
here?" "What is my fate?" could be found by climbing Mount
Lamlam.
Some people laughed and did not believe. Some said they
believed but didn't have time to go look. The politicians introduced a
bill to make the climb, but it died in committee and was never funded.
Many people really wanted to climb the mountain to find
the answers but could nottoo old, too sick, too many job responsibilities.
Man walks through history bearing the possibility of reproducing
life, and yet knowing that new life will always be burdened by the weight
of constant cares. The ever present ability to pick up this burden is sometimes
exercised in transfiguration through new birth into a new comprehension
of dealing with that aweful care. Once the burden is accepted and the understanding
achieved, man bursts triumphantly into a new life, resurfacing with a new
awareness, reborn to the meaning that was always. The globe is now - suddenly
as it was meant to be.
THE TABULATION
The objective of the questionnaire in the LENS seminar
was to survey the opinion of a broad cross section of world citizens on
political, economic, and cultural questions.
Preparing the Global Research Report included the retabulation
of all the questionnaires and the specific evaluation of six of the questions.
A multiple choice question from each of the Political, Economic and Cultural
questionnaires, and a short answer question from each section were evaluated
The summery of the answers from the multiple choice questions were plotted
in graph form, and a short statement was written for each graph. The answers
to the short answer questions were analyzed, and a prose statement for
each section were written.
The Global Report of the questionnaires is the final step
demonstrating that a global research net is a possibility for global information
sharing.
| ECONOMIC TABULATION
According to the participants in LENS seminars, a man's struggle with his masculine role was found to be primarily in relationship to his wife. A man's relationship to failure at work, his vocational question, and dealing with his children, are also seen to be more important than relating as a man to other men, other women, or to his own father and mother. |
CULTURAL TABULATION
The participants in the LENS seminars felt that the secret dream of fulfillment that motivates most men today is economic success. The meaningful use of time and talents and concern for family security are also seen as high motivators. Decision making in the local community was that which participants felt was the least motivating. |
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| In our times, we see a variety of both male
and female roles being acted out. In your opinion, a man faces the greatest
struggle in assuming his masculine role in: (Check three. )
a. being respected by his children b. choosing a vocation c. facing his failures at work d. relating to the woman who is his wife e. relating to father and mother f. being a leader in the community g. honoring the authority of another mart. h. relating to women other than his wife r. caring for the weak |
Every human being has within a secret desire
or dream of fulfillment. Choose three which most motivate people today.
(Check three. )
a. economic success b creating social change c. excellence in work d. involvement in decision making in the local community e. personal integrity f. family security g. improving the next generation's world h. esteem of peers i. meaningful way of using time and talents |
THE TABULATION
| POLITICAL TABULATION
Generally speaking, participants felt that distribution
of resources was the most critical decision coming in the near future.
However, in Southeast Asia and Pacifica, participants felt that arbitration
of international disputes was a critical concern. Guarding the ecological
balance was also considered a pending issue.
In what arena of global affairs do you believe the most critical decision must be made in the near future? (Check one . ) a. protection of national sovereignty b. distribution of resources c. guarding ecological balance d. arbitration of international disputes e. enhancing trade relations f. limitation of arms g. caring for refugees
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SHORTANSWER QUESTIONS: POLITICAL The responses to the question on the political questionnaire which concerned "the signs which tell you that a youth has become an adult" were varied. The response which was put down most often as a signal change was a more "responsible approach" to life. "Gaining self confidence" as he moves into "independence" with "graduation" and "earning a living," a "family of his own" or "a house of his own" were also mentioned. The youth who has moved into adulthood can now "find his own answers" to questions as he "reads world news" and is "introspective. " According to participants throughout the world the adult has "respect for elders" and "listens to others . " Finally, the shift in dress and "haircut" also signaled the adult phase. SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS: ECONOMIC The economic question considered was "Understanding that your vocation may be more than a job, what is one thing you most desire of your vocation?" The majority of responses were in the category of personal fulfillment and contained such statements as, "satisfaction," "sense of worth," "success," "achievement," and "selfsatisfaction." Another prominent desire was expressed in terms of service to others such as "serve society" and satisfy "needs other than my own," and "utility to society." A third prominent desire was to be challenged by work stated as, "opportunity for creativity, " and "pursuit of excellence. " Another desire was for tangible results such as "sensing something being accomplished," "making things happen, " and "bringing change to the world situation." Minor categories were pleasure or "happiness" and good working conditions expressed with such phrases as "full employment" or "congenial atmosphere. " Especially in the categories of personal fulfillment and tangible results, there were qualifying statements like "satisfaction... in meaningful engagement." |
(continued)
SHORTANSWER QUESTIONS: CULTURAL
The cultural question dealt with the "most important
characteristics of the man you consider to be great." The responses
fell into six major characteristics: humility, vision, wisdom, courage,
sincerity, and generosity. The greatest emphasis fell in the area of humility
with responses such as ''deep religious sense", "reverence,"
depth and compassion" being typical. The second highest number of
responses pointed to the characteristics of wisdom and courage. Participants
felt that great men need to be "catholic versus parochial," "missional
for fellowman," and decisive as well as tactical. Courage was seen
as "singlemindedness." and seriousness of purpose. In addition,
the great man was sincere, frank and had a "sense of openness."
Finally, the great man was one who was a generous,
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THE TABULATION
As LENS participants in courses across the world sought
to articulate the shape of resurgence in the 20th Century, they achieved
a remarkable consensus, not only among themselves, but withtheir colleagues
of other nations and cultures as well. Unanimously they pointed to their
awareness of "innocent suffering" through exploitation and ignorance
as the nearly inevitable spinoff of the dramatic social change that
characterizes our times. But they also saw hope in the universal consciousness
or awareness of human suffering, something never before present in the
same degree and intensity.
The paragraphs which follow seek to draw together, by using edited quotations, some of the "sensing after" resurgence as it was expressed by those individual participants who were assigned the task of tabulating the insights from the sets of questionnaires used to introduce the think-tanks.
* * * * * * *
Resurgence is always experienced as both the falling away
of the old and forging of the new. Vocation has been significantly affected
by resurgence. Iloilo (Philippines) speaks of "unused talents and
nonworthwhile community activities," while Philadelphia, of "increased
dissatisfaction with the job." Tokyo speaks of "local man's deep
desire to participate in a significant vocation which demands of him a
common and lasting covenant." Finding expression in the life of the
new man, resurgence appears in the need for "an inward rebuilding
of man" (Houston), and in the reemergence of such qualities as
integrity, defined as "creating a new relation to the world on behalf
of all" (London), and "social commitment, love, and sensitivity"
(Hong Kong). "Words such as love, peace, and freedom are given new
significance." (Brussels) Participants in Bombay articulated the fact
that "freedom, equality, love and care for others brings happiness,"
also a quality of resurgent man. Recovery of significant vocation appears
to have already begun.
Social roles are a struggle everywhere. In Montreal, "a
sense of old roles and objectives having nothing to do with today's life
situations" and "a cry for clarification of what my role is"
is felt. All were aware that a deep alteration of fundamental human relationships
is going on. Colleagues in Washington, DC, stated, "a new understanding
of age and sex roles is emerging in response to the collapse of traditional
values and authority relationships." Hong Kong colleagues wrote, "we
have awakened to the inadequacy of past life styles," or, "man
sees that all that is nailed down is coming loose" is a statement
from Iloilo. In the West, many seek definition, especially of male/female
roles. In the East, fulfillment within family roles is deeply longed for.
"Maleness and femaleness must be actualized in each human being."
(Brussels) "The male/female ontology is expressed in changing sexrole
relationships to authority and the emerging desire for both sexes to make
significant decisions at the family, community and national liver."
(Washington, D.C.) "The struggle for sexuality in today's society
lies in holding the tension between the male and female roles." (Philadelphia)
(Life phase issues were noted, but only to a comparatively minor degree.)
From Bombay, "a strong family unit" and "Lthe3 clear understanding
of vows, and common basic values is the basis of adequate family relationships"
Singapore participants pointed to "a void of purpose in the Family,"
and in Hong Kong, "family breakdown derives from a lack of role definition,
excessive job demands, and unresolved conflicts," Another area of
tension for many people is that of the political process, which is viewed
globally as ineffective and out of touch with local man, offering him no
way to get involved.
In the wider network of societal relationships, man sees
himself as alienated from his human brothers through his unclarity about
his role (Washington, D. C.). "Few forms speak to people's sense of
common humanness." Minneapolis) Everyman is in great anxiety over
the state of education, because they understand its power. "Education
is expected to play the crucial role in solving the vocational crisis."
(Houston) But, "it seems to have nothing to do with day to day life".(Hong
Kong) "The vague and irrelevant philosophy of education has kept it
from keeping pace with social change." (Iloilo) A vision for the new
human role emerged generally from the participants, "leadership in
this age requires vision, compassion and a new integrity, dedicated to
the tasks of planning and ordering community", (Washington, D. C.)
and "a renewal is beginning to take place at the deepest level of
man's being where he sees his most significant selfexpression is in
the service of others." (Taipei)
Seen from an overview, one of the most striking characteristics of all of the questionnaires was the universal hunger they communicated for methods and opportunities for significant engagement in society and in the historical process. Not only did participants give expression to this in regard to themselves, but they said also that it was a part of life for those they knew. Given the clarity that emerged throughout every one of the courses on the tasks that needed doing, and the understanding that LENS participants are precisely the ones who could undertake them, it would appear that the world has not long to wait before the process of local engagement begins.
* * * *
THE GUILD FOURTEEN POINTS
Introduction: The Guild fourteen Points
The fifth document produced by every LENS Seminar is a
Guild 14 Point Statement. Each Statement lists the operating principles
of the Guild's internal and external life, and serves as the preliminary
brooding on the feasibility of the guilding dynamic of the 20th Century.
You will remember that the procedures for producing the
Guild Document included a brainstorming of the elements or characteristics
of the Guild by the entire group at each course. A part of the Seminar
then chose 14 key points out of the total list and wrote explanatory sentences
to illuminate each of those points, to make the Guild 14 Points.
In July, the Guild documents were gathered from all the
courses from April through June by the LENS LABORATORY who gestalted the
14 points into four categories:
1. External Life: Goals
2. External Life: Strategies and Tactics
3. Internal Life: Structural Forms
4. Internal Life: Operating Methodology
A great deal of similarity was noted throughout the documents
in terms of the external thrust of the Guild. A vision of meaningful human
community was a common response in the documents.
A survey of the global Guild reports shows the main differences
to be in the internal life of the Guilds. It is clear from LENS participant
response that the Guild is a community care dynamic that most people see
as needed, practical, and imminently possible. In a symbolic sense, this
is the first report from the "Invisible College" whose role Kenneth
Boulding hen discerned as essential to the building of the new world.
A gestalt of LENS 14 Point Guild documents shows the following:
1. The Guild acts to bring about the comprehensive renewal of the structures of society.
2. The Guild is an international community.
3. The Guild invests human life with meaning.
4. The Guild acts upon social needs out of a comprehensive plan and evaluates its work.
5. The Guild has a vision of human community.
6. The Guild is a catalyzing agent for research in social trends and disseminating knowledge.
7. The Guild is an agent to train others.
8. The Guild sustains itself with symbolic life rehearsing its selfstory.
9. The Guild celebrates life within and for the community.
10. The Guild operates with a consensusgroup cooperation form of decision making.
11. The Guildsmen are disciplined and dedicated.
12. The Guildsmen are realistic tacticians.
13. The Guildsmen are "local men" acquainted with a specific local situation, but able to relate to the globe.
14. The Guildsmen risk themselves for the future of the
whole world.
The gestalt reveals a concern by a group of people working
to achieve a common goal of concrete action. The vision is that of a group
that desires more meaningful human community. Participants from London
speak of the Guild manifestation as "the springtime of a new life."
In Montreal, LENS participants image Guildsmen as the "architects
of human vision for mankind." World wide coordination is seen as a
possibility. Bombay LENS participants speak of a Guild that "participates
in global exchange of ideas on analysis and training methods." The
critical role of sustaining the guild by a symbolic life was often mentioned.
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