Change?

Today I met with a group of Friends (Quakers) to discuss some of the writing of Emile Fuchs from the time shortly after Hitler’s reign. He was a mystic and a strong advocate of the loving and compassionate approach to life recommended by Jesus. The writing was selected because of its applicability to the world today. He wrote "For now, when outward improvement comes, guilt and suffering are zealously forgotten. It seems as if poor and empty people will again win leadership and as if the nations will again run the way of momentary power and success. It is utter darkness if out of the catastrophe not only individuals but whole nations go on as poor and empty of spirit as before." His comments are a very apt description of what is going on in the world right now. The question I am left with is how to break the cycle.