The liberals believe in subjective realities, embracing freedom of acceptance and expression. Some liberals go to such an extent that even the notion of “two plus two equals four” becomes a subject of debate for them.
Liberals are passionate about building a free and open society, where individuals can shape their own realities and live harmoniously with the freedom of speech.
Liberals view traditional relationships as socially constructed and patriarchal, often questioning the very concept of marriage and the commitment to staying married, especially when faced with visible challenges or feelings of confinement.
Liberal arts, a branch of liberal thought, promotes a hybrid approach to education, encouraging flexibility across disciplines. However, liberal arts education often remains more accessible to the elite and resourceful, while those from poorer and middle-class backgrounds tend to adopt more conservative outlooks due to practical constraints. This focus on resource management is often overlooked by privileged liberals.
While liberals are not inherently anti-national, they may not feel a strong attachment to their nation. They are open-minded with other liberals but can be sharply critical of those who hold conservative values. They are often driven by emotions, finding facts and objective realities unsettling. At times they indulge in pseudo-spirituality without grasping the deeper understanding of the complexities of dharma.
Liberals dominate educational institutions, especially within the humanities, psychology, liberal arts, gender studies, racial theories, sociology, and notably in yoga circles. However, true liberals are rarely found in STEM fields, which demand objectivity, discipline, and rigor.
Many liberals neglect their own cultural histories, overlooking that the resources and opportunities they were shaped by generations who adhered to conservative values. These conservative values generally take two forms: one driven by religious beliefs, often rigid and imposing, and the other roooted in the realities of life, emphasizing universal principles.
In the Gita, Sri Krishna outlines simple yet profound conservative principles: eating judiciously, resting sufficiently, working efficiently, and enjoying recreation responsibly. Conservative values are grounded in facts and sensitivity, not in emotions or subjective realities.
Over time, many liberals have aligned with the left, giving rise to the term “left-liberal.” Traditionally liberals and the left were quite different—the left being disruptive, divisive, and critical of merit, while liberals embraced openness. Yet, some liberals now embody the divisive tendencies of the left, which they once rejected.
A conservative who is also liberal appears almost contradictory, as their core values often clash. However, a mature conservative can be flexible, supporting gradual growth without altering the fundamental laws of life, showing kindness and patience in guiding others.
In conclusion, the essence of conservative values lies in blending patience and kindness with a commitment to factual realities. A liberal conservative, embodying this balance, is the need of the hour for the growth of a lasting legacy.
– Govinda Das (ISKCON Member)
