Currently, the topic of participation is highly debated in the Dominican Republic. However, until now, almost all the discussion has focused on the socio-economic and political participation of the people, meaning the formal structuring of participation in our society.
The problem with this approach, which will have to change if we are to achieve true participation in our lives, is that it only represents the external expression of the concept, the world where democratic values are realized, not their origin or source, which is the human being and all that internally composes us. Of course, it is important that there is a didactic relationship between the two, but it makes no sense to treat the symptoms of a problem and not its cause. In other words, participation in national decisions begins with individual self-democracy/self-governance.
In practical terms, what does this imply? Self-governance implies the transformation of human beings towards their internal balance, free from the bonds that prevent us from seeing things as they are and, therefore, from being able to take appropriate action. For democracy to be truly functional on a global level, the members of a society must possess the freedom to decide what they want from life and have the opportunity to express and achieve it. Consequently, human beings must possess all the faculties and resources at their disposal so that they can make the necessary decisions. There can be no healthy democracy if its members are not healthy.
The transformation of the individual is nothing more than the adoption of an attitude that we can and must evolve through the application of our own attention and energy toward that end. In other words, through determined and continuous effort for our own benefit, we are capable of growing, transforming ourselves, learning how to govern ourselves, and, consequently, how to self-realize.
This process of personal transformation involves learning to live more consciously, which in turn allows us to respond more quickly to the feedback we receive, increasing our capacity for self-correcting actions. At the same time, our mastery of the decision-making process also increases, allowing us to act with greater flexibility and creativity. Our behavior becomes more spontaneous, free, and full of possibilities. One is filled with a sense of personal dynamism that allows us to solve problems and situations that previously seemed impossible. In this way, the lethargy and apathy so common in humanity begin to vanish. Thus, we begin to grow and extend our sense of self-confidence in all aspects of our daily lives.
Personal transformation causes a progressive spiral of growth for those who choose to follow it. As we live more consciously, we become more sensitive to and helpful of life, responsible and respectful of the impact our actions may have on everything around us. Also, by being more understanding of our place in life, we can contribute to shaping a more tolerant, self-regulating, and self-organizing world.
Obviously, it is neither possible nor desirable to direct our efforts solely towards ourselves. Humans are not islands. Personal growth precisely occurs as a consequence of a dynamic of interrelationship with our environment. Efforts towards the development of others are part of the development of the individual being, as the well-being of the whole is one's own well-being. There is no possibility of separation. There cannot be, since we are part of the whole, but at the same time, the whole is composed of its parts.
It is a universal principle that all existence strives for perfection. The human being is no exception, as their purpose culminates in self-realization, meaning the realization of their being. Only through this path can we achieve the transformation of ourselves, as true revolution begins from within. One cannot share with society what one does not possess oneself. Once our inner being is balanced, everything else flows naturally. The structures necessary to govern our society will be built harmoniously if their creators are so. It is time to begin rectifying the source of our problems, not the symptoms. Otherwise, we will be going in circles forever. We will have a healthy democracy to the extent that its members are healthy. It is about adopting an attitude oriented towards this goal, and working perseveringly to promote and defend the values of the human condition and nature.