Global Integrators--12

Transforming the World

A Call for Personal Transformation
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“Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains ... an unuprooted small corner of evil. "
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago
(more quotes here)

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We think that the time is coming for a diversity of colleagues to come together intentionally, visibly, and practically on behalf of global integration (GI). GI put simply is how we skillfully integrate our lives and values on behalf of the issues facing humanity. Likewise we think that the time is coming for colleagues to carefully reflect and act on what it means to be good global learners-practitioners--to seriously consider what it means to be what we are calling global integrators (GI-People).

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Transforming the World by 2030:
A New Agenda for Global Action

This is the latest high-level UN document for the intergovernmental negotiations for the Post 2015 development agenda (2 June 2015). It is a crucial source of synthesized thinking-experience as we head towards the UN Assembly in September 2015. We think that the excerpts below will inspire you to read more and to consider how to further leverage your competencies and character in the efforts to help transform our globalizing world.

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One very important point from the GI perspective is that personal transformation is also essential for world transformation. Without it can we realistically make serious progress in the sustainable development of people, planet, and peace? This assertion was indeed one of our points in a recent presentation we did on the global context for global mental health (GMH); namely, that even as there is “no health without mental health” (a watchword for GMH advocates) there can also be no health—or development—without moral health. (GMH: Tracking and Trekking Across Sectors, inaugural conference, Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health, William James College, USA, 26 June 2015).

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The success of this 'developing agenda for sustainable development' therefore does not come only from it being developed “by and for the people” as paragraph 48 states below. It also comes from it being developed and implemented by transformed people whose character and moral courage—personal transformation—promote the global transformation being heralded. Global integrators can surely model this perspective in their lives and work.

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“28. Sustainable development cannot be realized without peace. The new Agenda recognizes the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies, based on respect for human rights (including the right to development), the rule of law and effective and accountable institutions. These are fundamental requirements for the achievement of sustainable development. Factors which give rise to violence, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption and poor governance, are addressed in the Agenda. We must redouble our efforts to resolve or prevent conflict and to support countries emerging from conflict situations so as to lay the foundations for sustainable development. We commit to remove the obstacles to the full realization of the right of self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social development as well as their environment....

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43. “We the Peoples” are the celebrated opening words of the UN Charter. It is “We the Peoples” who are embarking today on the road to 2030. Our journey will involve Governments, Parliaments, local authorities, business and the private sector, the scientific and academic community, civil society – and ordinary citizens. Millions have already engaged with, and will own, this agenda. It is an agenda by and for the people – and this, we believe, will ensure its success.  

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44. The future of humanity and of our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today’s younger generation, who will pass the torch to future generations. We have mapped the road to sustainable development; it will be for all of us to ensure that the journey is irreversible.”

Member Care and the Hippocratic Oath, Part 1

Hippocrates and Higher Powers

Non hay lanza que pase 
todas las armaduras,

nin que tanto traspase

como las escrituras.
Sem Tob, 14th century, Spain

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Translation:

No spear can pierce all armour in a fight

Nothing penetrates like words that we write.

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This is the first of 10 brief discussions about the Hippocratic Oath and its relevance for member care. As the above 14th century proverb suggests, the written word--in this case the Hippocratic Oath--has adeptly penetrated practitioner hearts, human history, and the health sciences themselves.
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I really enjoyed studying Greek mythology and life in ancient Greece as a boy. It was thrilling to read over and over again about the heroic feats of Achilles at Troy; the decade-long wanderings of courageous Odysseus; the harrowing foot race along the sea between peerless Atlanta and love-struck Hippomenes; the atoning descent into treacherous Hades by Heracles; satyrs, naiads, centaurs, tritons, and many other mostly delightful mythical creatures. So intentionally meandering now into the ancient Greek world has both a familiar and fascinating feel to it!

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Hippocrates lived in the fourth century BC (circa 460-370 BC). He is considered to be the "father" of western medicine and is credited with helping to further develop and establish the practice of medicine in Greece at a time when Greek civilization was flourishing under Pericles.
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The Hippocratic Oath (reproduced below, translation by the National Institute of Health in the USA) is attributed to Hippocrates and pertains to the ethical practice of medicine. What were the core principles to embrace which would guide specific medical interventions? The Oath summarizes these key principles. Physicians in his day and beyond swore this oath or some variation of it. The principles of "doing good and doing no harm" for example, are still widely accepted and a usefulwayto summarize the Oath itself.

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The Oath is relevant in so many ways for member care practitioners and the member care field. The first application we propose is to look at the opening salvo and consider our work, as Hippocrates et al did, in light of Higher Powers and accountabilty.

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A Foundational Application

By Jove, by the gods above, by Apollo, or by Whoever or Whatever, we humans are not alone in our health care activities. Hippocrates appealed to a Higher Power (gods) to whom all humans and physicians were ultimately accountable and in some sense dependent upon. The specific gods listed by Hippocrates were apparently linked to healing in Greek religion/mythology (Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea).

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Member care practice likewise starts with a Higher Power--God--who sees all, knows all, is the source of healing, and who holds us accountable for our personal and professsional actions. It is not ultimately good practice codes or professional standards to which we are accountable, but a Creator. We also note for reference that "Master Care"--care for and care by God the Master--is placed at the center (beginning) of the international/macro member care model (Doing Member Care Well, 2002, chapter one).

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Further, we as member care practitioners facilitate healing because being made in the image of God, we emulate the Creator who heals. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, this is YHWH-Rapha, a special name for God which means the Lord that Heals. So perhaps we might see Hippocrates et al as getting their theology wrong, but they were certainly on the right track as they began with and appealed to Higher Powers as being the "first principle" to consider for their healing arts.

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In short: Member care starts with God. Member caregivers are accountable to God. Simple.

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Hippocratic Oath (other translations/versions are slightly longer but essentially the same)

I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:

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To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
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I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
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I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.

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But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
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I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
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In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

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All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
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If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

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Reflection and Discussion

Member care should not be ahistorical.

Comment on this assertion

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Member care also has some roots outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition and which pre-date the New Testament.

Comment on this assertion.

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Member care, like any of the helping professions/healing arts, must philosophically and ethically start with a First Principle, a Higher Power.

Comment on this assertion.

Note: During these 10 discussions of the Hippocratic Oath we will introduce two additional items into the integrative mix: a special proverb and a special work of art. Our goal is to broaden our understanding of member care in some new and creative ways.These two items are:
a. a related proverb in Spanish from Sem Tob, a relatively unknown 12th century Rabbi in the court of Peter I in Castilla, Spain. The English translations are courtesy Kelly O'Donnell.
b. a related piece of art from Diego Rivera, the widely-known 20th century Mexican artist who created large murals depicting various social themes as well as paintings depicting indigenous life in Mexico.

Member Care and Doing Good II

Beauty and the Good

Sandro Botticelli, 1500, detail from Mystic Nativity

May we see beauty and do good

in spite of pain and darkness.

Courage.

Not cowardice.

“Be totally ready
to receive the gift that’s coming
when Jesus arrives [again].”
I Peter 1, The Message

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And in the meantime,

dance with angels.

Member Care and Doing Good I

The time for doing member care well, is now

A lesson from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, stave one

Marley's Ghost visits Scrooge. (written 1843, original illustration by John Leech )

This is one of the most powerful literary stories that I know:
imploring humans to do good, deploring humans for not doing good.
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The apparition walked backward from him; and at every step it took, the window raised itself a little, so that when the spectre reached it, it was wide open.
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It beckoned Scrooge to approach, which he did. When they were within two paces of each other, Marley's Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come no nearer. Scrooge stopped.
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Not so much in obedience, as in surprise and fear: for on the raising of the hand, he became sensible of confused noises in the air; incoherent sounds of lamentation and regret; wailings inexpressibly sorrowful and self-accusatory. The spectre, after listening for a moment, joined in the mournful dirge; and floated out upon the bleak, dark night.
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Scrooge followed to the window: desperate in his curiosity. He looked out.

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The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went. Every one of them wore chains like Marley's Ghost; some few (they might be guilty governments) were linked together; none were free.
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Many had been personally known to Scrooge in their lives. He had been quite familiar with one old ghost, in a white waistcoat, with a monstrous iron safe attached to its ankle, who cried piteously at being unable to assist a wretched woman with an infant, whom it saw below, upon a doorstep- The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.

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Reflection and Discussion
What time is it?
1. The time for doing good, is now.
2. The time for avoiding good, is now.
3. The time for confronting evil is also now.
4. The time for ignoring evil, is now.
What time does your member care clock say?