A Critical Examination of Our World Through the Lens of OM

In the present moment, humanity stands at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges in nearly every sphere of life—political, economic, environmental, and social. The world is marked by profound inequality, conflict, ecological degradation, and spiritual disconnection. From the lens of the Oneness Movement (OM), the state of the world reflects the dominance of Lower Consciousness (LC) principles—driven by selfishness, greed, and division—rather than Higher Consciousness (HC) values, which prioritize compassion, cooperation, and the recognition of our shared interconnectedness.

This article critically examines the present state of the world through the lens of OM, identifying the key issues that arise from LC-driven systems, and offering insights into how humanity might begin to shift toward a more conscious, harmonious future grounded in Oneness.

1. Economic and Social Inequality: The Widening Gap Between Rich and Poor

One of the most visible symptoms of the dominance of LC in the modern world is the growing gap between the wealthy elite and the vast majority of the global population. As LC values like materialism and self-interest drive economic systems, wealth is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving billions in poverty, struggling to meet basic needs.

Concentration of Wealth and Power

• Billionaires and multinational corporations wield enormous influence, shaping government policies, international trade agreements, and societal norms to protect their wealth. Economic policies are often crafted to benefit the rich, leaving the middle and lower classes to bear the burden of taxation, wage stagnation, and rising costs of living.

• This wealth concentration is a direct reflection of LC principles, where the focus is on accumulation and competition, rather than sharing and equitable distribution of resources. The result is a world where a small percentage of the population enjoys extravagant lifestyles while vast numbers of people struggle to survive.

Social Fragmentation and Discontent

• The deepening economic divide fosters social fragmentation and rising discontent. Protests, civil unrest, and movements against economic injustice have erupted across the globe as people demand fair wages, healthcare, housing, and education.

• The LC mentality keeps people in a constant state of competition, even in their personal lives, making it difficult for individuals to form authentic connections and communities based on trust and mutual support.

2. Environmental Collapse: The Destruction of Our Planet for Profit

From the OM perspective, the environmental crisis is one of the most urgent consequences of LC-driven thinking. Ecological destruction—driven by industries focused on short-term profit rather than sustainability—continues to accelerate, threatening the health of the planet and all life forms that depend on its ecosystems.

Resource Exploitation and Environmental Degradation

• Corporations and governments, prioritizing profit over ecological stewardship, continue to extract resources at unsustainable rates. Deforestation, mining, overfishing, and pollution are destroying ecosystems and driving species to extinction.

• Climate change, largely fueled by the burning of fossil fuels, is pushing the planet toward a tipping point. Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and food and water shortages are becoming more common, disproportionately affecting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations.

Disconnection from Nature

• The destruction of the environment is rooted in humanity’s disconnection from nature. LC values lead to the perception of nature as something separate from and subservient to human needs. In contrast, OM teaches that all life is interconnected, and that the well-being of the planet is intrinsically linked to the well-being of humanity.

• Exploitation of natural resources for short-term gain without regard for the long-term consequences reflects a fundamental lack of awareness of Oneness.

3. Political Corruption and Conflict: Division as a Tool for Power

The present political landscape is also a reflection of LC thinking, where division, fear, and manipulation are used to maintain power. Instead of working for the common good, many political systems are designed to preserve the status quo for the benefit of the powerful, often at the expense of the people.

Political Corruption

• In many parts of the world, governments are plagued by corruption, where politicians prioritize their own wealth and power over the needs of their constituents. This corruption often manifests in corporate lobbying, with powerful industries shaping laws and regulations to serve their interests while environmental and social protections are weakened.

• The revolving door between government positions and corporate boardrooms, where officials move back and forth between public office and corporate roles, reinforces a system of cronyism that ensures LC-driven policies remain in place.

War and Conflict

• War remains a tool for resource control, power, and division. From ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the threat of global powers engaging in proxy wars, military-industrial complexes thrive on human suffering and destruction. In LC systems, war is seen as necessary for self-preservation and national interest, even as it devastates entire regions and populations.

• The LC mentality of us vs. them, fueled by nationalism and fear, drives global conflicts and prevents collaboration on issues that affect the entire planet, such as climate change, inequality, and poverty.

4. Spiritual Crisis: Disconnection from the Self and the Collective

While the economic, environmental, and political challenges facing humanity are deeply concerning, the spiritual crisis at the heart of LC systems may be even more significant. The world is experiencing a profound disconnection from inner wisdom, compassion, and the recognition of Oneness. This spiritual void is reflected in the rise of mental health issues, addiction, and alienation in modern society.

Ego-Centric Identities and Consumerism

• In an LC-dominated world, people are encouraged to base their identities on external factors such as wealth, status, and material possessions. Consumerism has become a way of life, where fulfillment is sought through acquisition rather than inner growth.

• This leads to a never-ending cycle of desire and dissatisfaction, as people attempt to fill the void of disconnection from their true selves with material goods and superficial achievements. Spiritual emptiness and a lack of meaning have become widespread, particularly in highly industrialized nations.

Mental Health Crisis

• The disconnection from Oneness and the pressures of modern society have contributed to a global mental health crisis. Rising levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and burnout reflect the alienation and disconnection felt by many.

• Instead of fostering environments that promote inner peace, healing, and spiritual development, LC systems push individuals to constantly strive for external validation, leading to increased emotional suffering and fragmentation.

5. The Treatment of Animals and Nature: Sentient Beings as Commodities

Another key area where LC principles manifest destructively is in humanity’s treatment of animals and the natural world. Instead of recognizing animals as sentient beings with their own right to life and well-being, LC-driven industries exploit animals for food, scientific experiments, and entertainment.

Factory Farming and Animal Cruelty

• The industrial farming system, driven by profit, has led to the inhumane treatment of billions of animals, who are confined in factory farms, subjected to cruel conditions, and slaughtered in mass numbers to satisfy the global demand for meat and dairy products.

• From an OM perspective, this treatment of animals reflects a profound disconnection from compassion and a failure to recognize the interconnectedness of all life. The mass exploitation of animals for profit is one of the clearest examples of LC values in practice.

Exploitation of Nature for Human Gain

• Beyond the treatment of animals, humanity’s exploitation of ecosystems—forests, oceans, and rivers—reflects an LC attitude of domination over nature. From clear-cutting forests for agriculture to overfishing and polluting the oceans, nature is treated as a commodity to be extracted rather than a living, breathing system to be respected and preserved.

Conclusion: The LC World and the Call for Higher Consciousness

Through the lens of OM, the present state of the world reveals the dangers of Lower Consciousness thinking, where division, greed, and disconnection from the interconnectedness of life dominate. Inequality, environmental destruction, political corruption, spiritual crisis, and the exploitation of animals and nature are all symptoms of a world out of balance—one that prioritizes self-interest and short-term gain over compassion, sustainability, and Oneness.

The path forward requires a shift from LC values to Higher Consciousness (HC), where humanity recognizes its interconnectedness and works to create a world based on compassion, justice, and equity. The Oneness Movement offers a vision for this future, where individuals and societies embrace the principles of Oneness and commit to healing the planet, addressing inequality, and fostering collective well-being for all beings.