This is a time of great tumult in our political affairs. Not only do Democrats and Republicans spare no effort to weaken each other's bid for power, but others have gotten into the act as well.

The Tea Party gives voice to a long-festering dissatisfaction among the people with their government. They speak (often loudly) against the rapidly-growing deficits that are exploding our national debt, and the disconnect between our leaders (and the government they head) and the people they serve.

In response, another group called the Coffee Party Movement is offended by the vociferous diatribes and wants to restore civility to our political processes. Contrary to the position of the Tea Party that sees government as being far more than it needs to be, the Coffee Party thinks that while government is broken, it reflects the will of the people and is an appropriate instrument for the exercise of that will (and seem not to care about Constitutionally-prescribed boundaries of how it can be used, so long as good intentions are behind it).

Of course, there are many others out there with much to say on the issue of governance and the policies that carry them out. The point is that many do not believe their government serves them in the way they want it to, and are now speaking up to do something about it.

At the moment there is no "consensus" of what to do, much less where we all should go from here. The perspectives are too diverse and the polarities are too great.

So what we get is a free-for-all in political discourse that's playing out like a barroom brawl where everyone takes a swing at the one who's nearest.

Most of you know my position -- that taking sides and joining the fray simply exacerbates the situation and leads to more conflict.

Instead, consciousness is the answer. And it is gradually expanding through the light that is flowing into this world and the many brave voices who are speaking their truth to power.

As it does, it calls forth new practices and policies, and most of all, new leaders to enact them.

At the moment those new leaders, no matter the wave of good intentions that got them there, eventually seem to fall prey to the forces that have corrupted the system to the advantage of those with power and influence (which is not necessarily those with lots of money to spread around).

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

But in the future I see, there are no winners while others are losers. Everyone is empowered to create and live the lives they want and need. And I guess that means failing and falling on their faces if they want, too.

This means moving away from control toward empowerment of the individual through perspective and possibility so they will have greater choice over their affairs -- meaningful choices that can be created and experienced without doing harm or imposing their will over others.

Yes, we have a long way to go.

For with this freedom comes responsibility, and the need to exercise restraint in the pursuit of our desires and avoidance of our fears. Our ability to do so will grow the more we bring love and light into our lives and learn to use it as we go about our affairs.

As it now stands, the battle that is going on in our political process is a direct result of self-determination wielded with little regard for the consequences on others or society at large. This to a large extent reflects a failure of responsibility and restraint, and causes "progressives" to ramp up their efforts use government to impose it upon those who lack it and provide benefit to those who are unable or unwilling to help themselves.

It is a battle without end so long as we remain as we are. For it to stop, we must change.

That change can only happen within us, individually and collectively. As we do, we will become more accommodating of what others want because we know that in them getting it they won't have to interfere with the lives we're creating for ourselves. And vice versa.

In the meantime, the many voices that are joining the chorus of discontent with our common affairs are doing us a great service -- for they are helping people to make concrete the abstract thoughts that for too-long lay dormant inside. As these ideas come to the surface and become expressed, our society will naturally have to evolve as they act upon the collective consciousness to begin transforming our society into something better.

Until then, consider this.

If you really want peace in our political affairs, the place to start is to grow up yourself. Mature as a soul and evolve to a place where you can exercise your innate rights and responsibilities for the good of all without feeling you have to ram them down everyone else's throats.

Once you do, you'll be ready for the governance you want to replace the one you've got.

This is your challenge. How you meet it will say a lot about you and where you want to go from here.