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A Holistic Strategy for Achieving WAAS’ Goals and Realizing our Common Vision



ARTICLE | | BY Marco Vitiello

Author(s)

Marco Vitiello

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Abstract

Facing the XXI century and its challenges means finding a concrete strategy, one that can make it possible for WAAS and its Fellows to reach their full potential. Sometimes what we do is look for new strategies to reach our goals, when the simple answer has always been right in front of our eyes: we need a non-original, organizational yet individual, holistic yet practical method for increasing our positive impact on the world.

The XXI century has started with challenges that are bigger than what most human beings would have expected a few decades ago. We all know, as WAAS Fellows, what these challenges are: there is therefore no need for me to list them all. This time, what I would like to draw the reader’s attention to, is the solutions, not the problems.

"The right action is non-action: when we act not for ourselves, not for money, not for prestige, not for any personal interest but solely for the causes we are fighting for, then our power becomes infinite and the realization of our vision will be inevitable”

As WAAS Fellows, we cultivate big aims and share a common vision, a vision through the accomplishment of which all human beings will be capable of coming together and recognizing themselves by sharing common values which emerge from our diversity. Sometimes, this objective is so big that it scares us: we do want to realize a better world for everyone. We do want to realize a world based on freedom, equity, social justice, green economy, a world where all human beings are at peace with one another and with the natural world they live in. When we think about our objectives and then look at the world today, the path to get to our goal may sometimes seem too long to be walked on.

But today, I want to remind us all that all our efforts will not be useless if we keep improving as we have done in recent years in our creative global action. Yet, we need a strategy that can be adopted both by WAAS as an organization and by its Fellows as individuals. The strategy I want to propose is not original, yet only a few in the world concretely adopt it. It is based on three simple yet big pillars:

  1. Mindfulness: having a vision is the very first step, yet it is not enough. Everyone in WAAS should be daily focused on that vision and consciously commit themselves to its realization. This would allow us all to not confuse the process with the vision and remind ourselves the true reasons why we do what we do.
  2. Action: once we have become constantly mindful of our vision, the next step is to take every possible right action that will help us get to its realization. No matter how small or even meaningless that action might seem, if we do not procrastinate on anything and realize the significance of every single act, if we all start behaving like this, the effects will be exponential and the results, unimaginable.
  3. Selflessness: How can we make sure we identify the right actions? On this matter, chapter 3 of the Tao Te Ching comes to our help:

    "When the ambitious is exalted, the people contend and compete.
    When exotic goods are traded and exalted, the desire to steal arises.
    When desires are constantly stimulated, the people become restless and confused.
    Hence, the wise person sets herself as an example emptying the mind, opening
    the heart, calming ambitions, abandoning desires, cultivating character.
    Having overcome cravings and wiles, she cannot be manipulated by anyone.
    Do with not-doing, act by not acting. Allow the order to arise on its own."

The right action is non-action: when we act not for ourselves, not for money, not for prestige, not for any personal interest but solely for the causes we are fighting for, then our power becomes infinite and the realization of our vision will be inevitable.

About the Author(s)

Marco Vitiello
Junior Fellow, WAAS