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The Dream, What Is It?

In a previous article, I wrote on the SCA past, present and future. One thing I spoke of then, as many times before, was something we call "The Dream." But, what is this "Dream," and what bearing does it have on the SCA, let alone other aspects of our lives? This is a difficult question with a very elusive answer, but one which I feel is well worthy of the attempt.

It is easy to say that it is different things to different people, and yet I feel that this answer is too easy and leaves other questions unanswered. It is true that people each have a unique viewpoint and interpret that which they see in a myriad of ways. Yet, I feel that behind this, there are some universal truths and basic human needs which comprise a chord which something in the SCA strikes. Many people will look at the same object and interpret it in many ways yet, is the object not what it is, despite all interpretations? So this is my interpretation; yet, I will try to show a commonality of thought in an attempt to step beyond myself.

Throughout history, we have seen periods of spiritual aridity suddenly become watershed spochs of spiritual growth and greater exaltation of the human spirit. But then, unfortunately, these concepts that spring forth, gradually become shackled as men (generically) of a lesser vision seek to define, and thus confine, and narrowly structure them. We call these, religions. But in the end, however these religions tried to nail down a universal truth by their own viewpoint (through what they said was their direct link to "God") they only succeeded in further fragmenting humanity.

The problem came in that they all looked to a Supreme Diety for legitimization of their viewpoint. The most vicious wars in history have been fought over whose version of God is truer and who He likes best. Usually, the sticking points are extremely petty and picky in comparison to the broader similarities.

So, in revulsion, many thinkers turned away from this to seek out alternative solutions to mankind's problems. Through both the modern theories of Marxism and Capitalism, Spiritualism was made to take a back seat to a view that what was really important was material gain, possessions and a meeting of physical needs and desires. It all boiled down to economics, the religion of Materialism.

All too often, I see people who define themselves and their importance (as well as that of others) not in terms of the quality of their personality, but in terms of what they have and how much. I see utilitarianism replacing creativity and imagination. I see a practical self-survival, dog-eat-dog philosophy, destroying regard for a quality of spirit not only for ourselves but for all life. The phrase for today seems to be, "What can you do for me?"

But, I also see in many comers, despite this emphasis on money and possessions, a sort of universal question, "Is this all? Is there nothing more?" And, I see people seeking answers to these questions in many ways, traditional and non-traditional.

To me, it all comes down to this: we are not merely creatures who are born to breed, fatten, grow old and die. The human spirit requires a certain dignity to prosper, a certain grace and respect to grow straight and tall. When we are lost in distress and pain, of what value are our toys?

But where are we to find this dignity and respect if not at the hands of our fellow humans? But how can we fully receive this largess of the spirit if we do not first find it in ourselves? Of what value is it if we do not give it back to others? I see it as a cycle; to give you must also receive and then give it back. What good does it do to learn to fly if you never teach anyone else?

There are clearly things that we can do as people that are constructive and life-enhancing, just as there are things that are destructive and life degrading. We don't have to wait for a "God," like some sort of super parent, to tell us that it’s okay to be decent to each other. All we have to do is to really want it bad enough to overcome our own fears, pride, selfishness, and prejudices and simply just do it.

It seems to me that for millennia we have not been arguing about what we should do, but how. The end result has been that we have not been doing it. But if we are not to despair, we must believe that we CAN do it. If we are ever to transcend this age of spiritual sterility, let alone survive as a species, we must do it.

It seems to me that there is something deep within, intrinsic to the human soul that cries out saying possessions, wealth, social status and power are not all of what we are about. I for one refuse to believe that all life is for is to take advantage of others, and to use them for my own ends. I see in each of us, and in some of us very brightly, finer being of many colours that only wants to be released from its shackles. We are not merely creatures of mud and will never be.

Is that not what chivalry is all about? Is that not what honour is all about? Is that not what courtesy is all about? Do we not gain dignity by allowing others to have it? When we concentrate on our similarities and regard our differences as something good rather than bad is there not much to enjoy and celebrate? We, each of us, are all unique individuals, but it is only by a common respect for each other's individuality that we can truly respect and add value to our own. It is in this way that we truly earn the respect of others for ourselves for what we are.

In the SCA, we speak of the virtues of Chivalry, Courtesy and Honour as being a kind of behavior and philosophy of self, desirable to incorporate into ourselves a gentler way of living with our fellow humans in which we are all noble and of gentle birth. Not some of us--all of us. Are we not talking about what philosophers, religions, and practically everyone who ever gave thought to human behavior, felt necessary to our growth and happiness as sentient, feeling beings? As its best, the SCA can be this. We don't need anyone to tell us this; we can see this ourselves. So why don't we just do it? To me, the Dream is that we can, all of us. We have only to want to badly enough.

In trying to answer this question about what "The Dream" is, I fear I have only succeeded in raising more questions, the answers to which, I suggest, only lie in yourselves. What are they? What is your "Dream?"

In Service to The Dream,
Lord Thomas Buttesthorn

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