Back when McCain and Obama were campaigning, I went to visit my Huna teacher, someone who I looked up to for their wisdom, clarity and critical thinking skills.
Huna is spiritual wisdom from ancient Hawaii. It teaches that we are all Divine Beings because we all originate from the same Source, from which we can never be separated.
We come to this planet to experience something other than the Love, Light, Peace and Joy that dominates the spiritual realm. Being born on Earth is like going to a movie; without a plot, a villain, a hero and satisfying conclusion, the movie would be quite boring.
Malu are what the ancient Hawaiians called “life-taking” energies. Like viruses in a computer, these blatant, yet illusive little suckers, do their damnedest to create “contrast” by providing the “villain” in our earthly story.
You know, things like hate, anger, jealousy, greed, pettiness, etc. are the energies that create Contrast with Akua, Life-Giving Energy: Compassion, Forgiveness, Generosity, Courage, etc.
Becoming aware that these energies are not who we Truly Are as Divine Beings, was the most empowering bit of wisdom I ever encountered in my life-long journey on the spiritual path; the knowledge of which I owed to this teacher.
You are a Divine Being; you are not whatever malu energy you may or may not identify with at any particular time. For instance, someone who steals something is not a “thief”, but a Divine Being who temporarily identified with the energy of “thief” long enough to act it out and steal something.
No one wants to be labeled by their worst behavior. Indeed, it doesn’t work to label people by ANY negative energy/behavior.
I subsequently “kicked the tires” of my five-year Huna training and found sound Principles grounded in the Foundation of Reality, from the spiritual perspective.
It was a subtle red flag though, when I tried to tell my teacher about a supplement that had helped me and lots of other people, the invention of a brilliant scientist to create a potent antioxidant.
But because it was marketed through a multi-level company, it was dismissed out of hand based on two sentences I said about it. Usually, products that require a bit of explanation are well suited to multi-level companies because they are promoted word-of-mouth so as to provide that explanation.
But no. It was dismissed based on an aversion to ALL multi-level companies without any knowledge of the product or the company.
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Us students, had begun to notice “cracks” in the persona of our All-Knowing Spiritual Teacher. In other words, being taught to notice the difference between someone’s True Identity as a Divine Being and that of their malu, we came to see what those were for our teacher as well, mostly Arrogance.
One could imagine that being the one to provide life-changing information that had been hidden for thousands of years and was now being exposed to us few students, would naturally lend itself to challenges with arrogance. At least that’s how we rationalized it (another malu).
One of the defining characteristics of these life-taking energies is that when you become identified with a more insidious one, like arrogance, you tend to be blind to your identification with it. Meaning other people notice but you don’t, because arrogance/ego doesn’t think it’s arrogant.
As he said many times: Being unconscious (identified with a malu) is like being locked in a box and the only way to get out of the box is have someone love you enough to read you the directions for getting out of the box that are written on the outside of the box.
It’s called a “Loving Mirror”.
We had many sessions in our Ohana group meetings where we would offer someone a Loving Mirror and if they accepted it, we would go around the circle and provide our own perspective of the energy/behavior the person was unconsciously identified with.
I can use myself as an example. I was made to see a “dumb blonde” malu I was identified with. As soon as the group, with their loving, non-blaming perspectives, revealed how I would “check-out” and this energy of seemingly carefree ignorance, was made clear to me, it was like a giant light bulb went off!
For the first time I could see it and recognize it. From that moment on, whenever fear provoked that pattern to allow a socially acceptable avoidance mechanism to hijack my brain, the gig was up! I just couldn’t do it anymore; I saw it and it felt completely silly and stupid. So, it stopped, right then and there.
This is the power of Clarity the Wisdom of Huna provides. This was only one example in hundreds that changed all our lives for the better.
The Malu of Willful Ignorance
It seems this particular malu is having a heyday right now!
Why? Where did this energy come from and how did it become so prevalent in our country and in our politics?
And what is the cost to our society?
It’s sort of a baffling contradiction because we live in an age of unprecedented access to information. It’s defined as the deliberate choice to avoid or dismiss knowledge, especially when it conflicts with pre-existing beliefs or offers inconvenient truths. There’s the kicker: when it conflicts with pre-existing beliefs. The malu of Fear invite the malu of Avoidance.
Nowhere is the impact more pronounced than in the area of politics, where the stakes involve not only personal convictions but also the collective welfare of society. Understanding the origins, manifestations and consequences of this “malu phenomenon” is essential to fostering a healthier democratic process and provide people a way to free themselves from the invisible prison of the “ego-echo chamber”.
The Roots of Willful Ignorance
At its core, it’s a defense mechanism, like how my ‘dumb blonde’ malu tried to “protect” me from uncomfortable situations by conveniently forgetting, dismissing or giving a pass to the bad behavior of others in a pollyannish way, for example.
In modern society it’s called cognitive dissonance– the uncomfortable feeling of being confronted with information that challenges deeply held beliefs. And this discomfort can be especially acute in politics where ideologies are tightly bound to personal and cultural identities. In other words, an emotional attachment to “I’m right” and avoidance of “I’m wrong” that feels bad (to your ego.)
Bringing in to question one’s values, affiliations and sense of belonging can raise a fear of conflicting information. Malu always couch themselves as “protection”; in this case, protecting one from this very uncomfortable situation of having to possibly admit you may be (heaven forbid) wrong about something. Ego (the malu amalgam) NEEDS to be RIGHT because its existence depends on it.
Divine Beings, on the other hand, invite the idea of “being wrong” because this logically and obviously allows for upgrades in viewpoints to more accurately reflect reality.
Ha’aha’a, Humility: The ABILITY to be flexible in perspective.
Social and media sites exacerbate this tendency and leads to the rise of echo chambers—online spaces where people encounter only information that reinforces their perspectives making it easier to curate a reality that aligns with their beliefs. Algorithms designed to prioritize engagement often amplify sensationalistic or partisan content, fostering environments where misinformation thrives. In such spaces, the willfully ignorant can find validation and reinforcement, deepening their resistance to alternative viewpoints.
The Manifestations of Willful Ignorance in Politics
The various ways Willful Ignorance can manifest in the political arena can have significant implications for public discourse and governance:
- Dismissal of Facts—One of the most visible forms of Willful Ignorance is the outright rejection of factual information. Whether it’s climate change, public health crises or economic data, dismissing expert analysis obviously undermines informed decision-making.
- Selective Information Consumption—Many people engage in confirmation bias by seeking out only news sources and narratives that align with their beliefs while avoiding those that challenge them. This selective exposure reinforces ideological divides and fosters an “us vs them” mentality.
- Prone to Conspiracy Theories—When facts are inconvenient or hard to process, conspiracy theories can fill the void. These theories provide simple explanations for complex issues, offering a sense of control and certainty for those who feel disillusioned or alienated.
- Polarized Voting—Willful Ignorance influences how people vote by leading them to support candidates or policies that align with their beliefs, regardless of evidence suggesting these choices may be harmful to society as a whole.
The Consequences of Willful Ignorance
The impact of Willful Ignorance in politics can extend far beyond individual choices. It affects policy outcomes, erodes public trust and undermines the democratic process:
- Policy Gridlock—When political discourse is dominated by Willful Ignorance, finding common ground becomes increasingly difficult. Policymakers may cater to misinformation or disinformation-driven constituencies, leading to gridlock on critical issues like healthcare, education and climate policy. (Misinformation is inaccurate, as in mis-take, disinformation is deliberately misleading, as in dis-honest.)
- Erosion of Trust in Institutions—Willful Ignorance contributes to the declining trust in our institutions such as the media, academia and government. When facts are dismissed as mere opinions or partisan attacks, the credibility of these institutions is undermined and therefore their effectiveness and reputation on the world stage as a leader.
- Normalization of Extremism—The spread of mis and disinformation and the dismissal of counter narratives creates fertile ground for extremism. When polarization escalates it pushes moderate voices to the margins and normalizes divisive rhetoric.
- Global Repercussions—In an interconnected world, the consequences of Willful Ignorance in one country can ripple globally. For example, the rejection of climate science or vaccine misinformation in one nation can hinder international efforts to address global challenges to avoid catastrophe or reign in a rampaging virus.
How To Combat Willful Ignorance
While Willful Ignorance poses significant challenges, it is not insurmountable. Addressing it requires a multi-faceted approach:
- Promote Medial Literacy—Media literacy programs should be integrated into educational curricula and promoted through public campaigns. This will help citizens to critically evaluate information sources to counter misinformation.
- Encourage Open Dialogue—Creating spaces for respectful, fact-based conversations can help bridge ideological divides. Emphasizing shared goals and values can foster understanding and cooperation.
- Hold Leaders Accountable—Political leaders have a responsibility to base their decisions and rhetoric on actual evidence. Voters should demand accountability and reject candidates who exploit misinformation for political gain.
- Strengthen Institutions—Trustworthy institutions are vital for combatting Willful Ignorance. Supporting independent journalism, funding research and ensuring transparency in governance are essential.
- Foster Empathy—Empathy is a powerful antidote to Willful Ignorance because understanding the fears, frustrations and motivations behind others’ beliefs can pave the way for constructive engagement.
Conclusion
Willful Ignorance in politics is not a mere intellectual shortcoming; it is a societal challenge with profound consequences. It thrives in environments where fear, misinformation and partisanship dominate, but it can be countered with education, accountability and empathy.
As citizens, we each have a role to play in promoting a culture of curiosity, critical thinking and open-mindedness. By confronting Willful Ignorance, we can move toward a political landscape that prioritizes informed decision-making and collective well-being. In so doing, we reaffirm the values of democracy and the potential for positive change in an increasingly complex world.
The spiritual “medicine” for Willful Ignorance is Humility: the ABILITY to be FLEXIBLE in perspective. That ABILITY comes from your Divinity, not your ego. When you embrace the energy of Humility and make a decision to RELEASE ATTACHMENT to your ideas, beliefs, opinions and preconceived notions, then you are FREE! Free to see, hear and understand a much broader perspective that adds nuance, depth and clarity to what you previously thought.
The reason people avoid doing that is because it feels really uncomfortable to their ego. So, if you want to be grounded in your Authentic Self, purposely do what’s uncomfortable to your ego. Then you will discover the wonderful feelings of Freedom, Strength, Confidence and Calmness that can only come from your Divinity and far outweigh the snidely, petty win/lose arguments of ego.
And hey, you may not want to change your opinion when you hear alternative views, and that’s okay. But at least you will know what those other ideas are, and those other ideas will either reinforce, demolish or simply tweak what you previously thought. This leaves you free to upgrade your viewpoint, makes you a more enlightened and educated citizen and much less likely to be manipulated by the malu of Deceitful Politics.
Malu/ego lies can be used to rationalize all manner of blame, projection, retaliation and control. When you Consciously release this energy, you will automatically take your power back and come back to your Divine Nature. Then “Big R” Reality becomes more apparent, the Reality of an All-Encompassing Love that includes EVERYONE.
Love has nothing to lose, nothing to fear and nothing to hide; and neither should you.
So, I ask you, are you free to change your mind, be flexible and see Reality, or are you stuck with a narrative you’ve been told that you will stubbornly dig in and defend no matter what?
As I always say to those I have discussions with who have another viewpoint: I’m open to your views and I’m free and willing to change my mind… are you?
Aloha!