Robert Bly, quoting Wordsworth, sums up the essence of Neo-Humanism in the environmental movement: "Nature never did betray the heart that loved her." Technological, scientific and political answers will always fall short if their bottom line forgets that we are all in this world together.

A long-term view of how we can 'move up to a better world' has its base in a philosophy or worldview called Neo-Humanism, developed by P.R. Sarkar. This is a worldview wherein, as Sarkar says: "The underlying spirit of humanism extends to everything animate and inanimate in the universe". Humanism, in this view, is not just a philosophy but a sense of affection and love for all humans.  Neo-Humanism applies this idea to all beings; it's a critical next step for our immensely powerful species.

A sense of humanism, if not Neo-Humanism, exists in most forward-looking people. This type of person doesn't discriminate between people of various nationalities (and indeed may see the present nation-state as outmoded), religions, races, gender, etc.  And truly, as more people adopt this view, we will be able to eliminate the gross inequities of income, education, civil rights, etc, that we now face.

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This short piece explains Neo-Humanism and its relevance to spiritual practice and outlook.

Neo-Humanism
By: Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar.*

The inner psychic movement of human beings, their existential awareness is completely rhythmic. When there is a maladjustment between the external physical rhythm and the internal psychic rhythm, one feel some distress.

The present day humanity has no doubt made considerable intellectual progress. But in the external world, there is a lack of adjustment. Many theories have been propounded in the world. Some of them were concerned mainly with the spiritual world: they had no concern for the rationality of the psychic world at all. For progress in the external world there should be clear guidelines, a clear and well - integrated philosophical base.

The devotional sentiment is the highest and most valuable treasure of humanity. This element of devotion, the most precious treasure of humanity must be preserved most carefully. Because it is such a tender inner asset to preserve it from the onslaughts of materialism, one must build a protective fence around it. This protective fence is a proper philosophy, which will establish the correct harmony between the spiritual and material worlds, and be a perennial source of inspiration for the onward movement of society.

Geo-Sentiment? the sentiment that grows out of love for the indigenous soil of a country is called geo-sentiment. From this geo-sentiment, many other sentiments emerge, such as geo-patriotism, geo-economics, geo-religion, etc. This geo-sentiment attempts to keep humanity confined within a limited part of this world. The most powerful weapon with which to fight these geo-sentiments is the rational mind. The rational mind has to be developed in two ways through studies of various ways and by listening to the ideas/thoughts of others.

Socio-Sentiment? the sentiments that promotes the interests of ones own society at the expense of other's societies. From this socio-sentiments many other sentiments such as socio-patriotism, socio-religion, socio-economics, etc emerge. The only way to eliminate this sentiment is to develop proto-spiritual mentality. The basis proto-spiritual mentality is: the principal of social equality. When people understand this principle from the core of their hearts, they spontaneously develop proto-spiritual mentality.  This principle of social equality is the firm foundation of society and this maintains social dynamism on this firm foundation.

Humanistic Sentiment? the humanistic sentiment that is not motivated by any perennial source of inspiration is bound to become a formality only, devoid of real sincerity. This human sentiment has expressly violated the interests of non-human creatures, but its proponents found nothing wrong with it. If the same human sentiment is extended to include all creature of this universe, then and only then can human existence be said to have attained its final consummation.

Neo-humanism? those who remember that all molecules, atoms, electrons, protons, positrons and neutrons are the veritable expression of the same supreme consciousness. Who keep this realisation ever alive in their hearts are said to have attained perfection in life. They are the real devotees.  When this devotional practice does not remain confined to a mere practice but instead is elevated to a devotional sentiment, a devotional mission to the realm of devotional ideation. When the underlying spirit of humanism, the practice of love for all is extended to everything, animate and inanimate in this universe. This extended human sentiment is NEO-HUMANISM.

*P. R. Sarkar is also known as Shrii Shrii Anandamurti propounder of Ananda Marga