MUSINGS AT DEATH'S DOOR: an ancient bicultural Asian-Australian ponders about Australian society

This is my latest non-fiction book (published in 2012).


At 83, way past my statistical use-by date, in spite of not being buffeted by intimations of approaching celestial wings, I chose to review my experiences, knowledge, feelings and thoughts about areas of life and society of relevance to me;  and hopefully to others of a nature to be sensitive to Man's place in society and in the Cosmos.

Although the playground here is Australia, the issues raiesd have, in most situations, universal application.

These are the areas to which I gave considered thought.  They are a collage of the personal, the collective and, to a significant extent, the ethereal.  Who are we, what are we doing here, why, and where our journey is to end - and the significance of that, represent the core issues of relevance to thinkers, irrespective of their age, and place of residence. These and the other issues of relevance I have identified are indeed fascinating matters to ponder, and ponder.

The issues covered in this book are:

Preface    Sets the stage.   The transformation of an officially  racist white nation into a modern cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic, and multi-coloured one within a short time-frame, allied to the 'fair-go' ethos of the Anglo-Australian of yesteryear, could become a beacon of egalitarianism to Australia's neighbours. However, the deterioration of Australian society through the breakdown of family, and the diminution of communal responsibility and personal respect, are of concern.
 
Chapter 1  .   On biculturalism.   Biculturalism is the prism of perception. The filters are anti-colonialism, anti-racism, and anti-communism, each experience-based. These reflect the author's early acculturation in the communalism of Asian societies; his grounding latterly in the individualism of immigrant-created Western nations; his stance as a freethinker in matters religious; and his communitarian small-l liberal philosophy (which renders him a political orphan). 

Chapter 2   On Subservience.   Contrasts the independence of the traditional Anglo-Australian personality, who stands tall with dignity no matter his economic status, with the subservience of his governments — to the Vatican's values, foreign investors, powerful local interests, and the nation's hoped-for protector.  Suggests Australia, already a satrapy, become part of the USA, with obvious benefits.

Chapter 3   On Family and Society. Contrasts the Asian family with that in Australia.  The progressive deterioration of the latter challenges the integrity of society. The role of the family as the core of society is highlighted, as is the plight of children whose psychological needs are being over-run by the material wants of adults.

Chapter 4   On Governance.   A brutal examination of Western democracy, since it is being imposed on non-Western nations.  Rejected as sham. Electors have no effective say in the selection of their representatives or the policies of government. In Australia, the pre-occupation by the Vatican with the reproductive aspects of women are reflected in the government's social policies which affect all citizens, not just the Roman Catholics.  

Chapter 7   On Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers.  Contrasts front, side, and back door entry, where front and side door entry is by proper selection.  Is scathing about back door entry and its vocal local supporters; to them, justice for the Australian nation takes second place to claimed justice for the people who arrive by boat after destroying their identity papers.   

Chapter 8   On National Identity.  After examining how a national identity might be defined, asks about new icons to reflect modern Australia and the contribution of the post-war immigrants.

Chapter 9   On Religion.  Seeks to replace institutional religion, because it is destructively divisive, with a shared humanistic spiritual approach. The author explains his beliefs and shows where they arose. Effectively, this chapter introduces metaphysical Hinduism as expounded by the Upanishads, showing that this philosophy rides way above the valuable teachings of the principal religions.

Chapter 10   On the Cosmos.  Discusses the nature of humanity and the place of mankind in the Cosmos.  Speculates on what the Cosmos is all about.

Chapter 11   On Empires.  Looks at possible benefits derived from the empires of old against their demerits.  Contrasts traditional empires with the modern hegemonic empire of the USA.

Chapter 12   Conclusion.  Refers to progressive learning in life, and the author's hoped-for Upanishadic 'Realisation' of ultimate Reality.

Musings at death's door

After more than six decades of a highly participatory and contributory life as an adult in Australia, the author offers a supportive bicultural perspective of the land of his adoption.  His in-depth analysis leads him to the conclusion that Australia can yet be a beacon to its neighbouring peoples through its egalitarianism, and its fabled 'fair-go' ethos, in spite of some significant deterioration of its society through the on-going breakdown of family, and a significant diminution of personal respect for one's fellow humans.

The scope of the narrative is wide, the analysis is deep, the commentary is incisive.  Believing that Australia, a satrapy of the USA, is attempting to punch above its weight internationally, the author (a communitarian small-l liberal) advocates that it become part of its protector, with obvious benefits.  It will become a republic, voters will elect their president directly, welfare-dependency will be replaced by personal initiative and effort, and (hopefully) the Vatican's social policies submerged by secularism.

Pride in Australia's success in integrating the wide range of multi-ethnic immigrants of the past half century, and in Asian spirituality countering the excessive materiality of the individualistic Ultra-West, underpin these end-of-life musings.