2005 then will be another election year. Already our television, radios and newspapers are crammed full of the sayings of our politicians and their activities. Our streets? surface, electric poles, walls ? essentially anything one can lay one?s hands on ? will bear the brunt of our political fervours and yes, some will remain defaced for a long time. From the politician to the influential businessman to the newspaperman to the ordinary man on the street, each one of us will want to have his or her say, privately or in public, as to what is best for this country, who is the best party to vote for and most importantly, what would be the implications if this or that party were to win or fail to do so. To the outsider, 2005 will confirm once again that this island and its people, like so many other countries out there, take its politics most seriously.

Why have politics become such an obsession throughout the world? Challenge any so-called ?dutiful citizen? on this obsession, he or she will reply, in a rather surprised manner: ?But of course we must get involved, of course we must vote! Our future well-being, growth, prosperity and personal comfort depend on it! We have to make sure we elect the right leaders who can change what we have at the moment.? But when you ask the same people about the change that really matters, that is internal, psychological change, then you get these furtive looks, embarrassed smiles and long silences.

We are obsessed with the external show. It?s a lot easier, you see, to join a political, corporate, social or religious organisation, than to look at where it really matters ? inside ourselves. It is a lot easier, you see, to blame the party, the bosses, our society or religious leaders than to take responsibility for looking at us impartially and changing what needs to be changed. Belonging to a party or an organisation offers us a respectable escape from our day-to-day misery and drudgery and frees us from having to think about who we are and what we are. This is why we?ve come to attach so much importance to symbols such as the flag, the party, the church, the title, the big office, the luxury car, the ceremony, and so on. These have all become extraordinarily important in our lives ? not only do we feel secure knowing that so many like us are also doing it, but without them, we would be unable to compare ourselves with another and would therefore feel lost, unsure of our worth and what we should do next.

Life is both inner and outer. Real and significant change takes place only when both aspects are included. If I have some inner craving that I am unaware of, such as a desperate need for power, an overblown ego, a compelling thirst for status or a belief that I am a superior human being, how can I possibly claim to be a leader, political, corporate, social or religious, and affect significant change? Change does not start ?out there? but ?in here?. Before we are ready for some office of some sort, we need to clean up our inner selves first ? identify and remove all the fears, ambitions, anger, and hatred that inhabit us. As long as we remain attached to our possessions, money, success, power, recognition, social status, knowledge, family history, religious beliefs, political systems, racial origins and nationalisms, we cannot and should not possibly consider occupying a so-called higher office as we can only end up spreading conflict and misery. And until this happens, voting for this or that party every five years, will remain a largely insignificant and futile exercise.

Prof E. CHAROUX

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